The first time I walked into what was then The Nadler Victoria back in 2015, London still felt very “old Victoria” – a bit tired around the edges, with building sites everywhere and promises of regeneration. I remember Mr Nadler telling me, with a twinkle in his eye, that “Victoria is the new Knightsbridge.” At the time it sounded ambitious. Fast forward to today, with the area buzzing with new restaurants, theatres and glossy developments, and that statement doesn’t feel so far-fetched anymore.
The hotel has since been rebranded as The Resident Victoria, part of the Resident Hotels group with boutique properties in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh. The new name reflects exactly what the brand is trying to do: make you feel less like a tourist and more like you actually live here, in one of London’s most enviable postcodes.
Location: Royal Postcode, Quiet Side Street
If you’re flying into Gatwick, chances are you’ll end up at London Victoria Station, and from there it’s a short stroll to the hotel. Tucked away on Palace Place, The Resident Victoria sits just a few minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and the theatres of Victoria – including the Apollo Victoria and Victoria Palace Theatre.
That’s what makes the location so good: you’re right in royal London, yet the street itself is calm and residential. You can be photographing the Palace guards in the morning, shopping in Belgravia or Knightsbridge in the afternoon, and be back in your room with a cup of tea within minutes. The claim that “Victoria is the new Knightsbridge” doesn’t feel quite so outrageous when you realise Harrods, Sloane Square and the whole of Belgravia are within easy reach.
We were actually invited as the first press to review the hotel, on day two of its opening. You could literally smell the fresh paint in the corridors, and I’m fairly sure I was the very first person ever to sleep in that bed – the linen felt untouched, crisp and deliciously new.
The bed cover
Rooms & Design – Brown, British Craft and a Family Touch
The design story here is very personal. Back when it opened, Mrs Nadler, who is French, took full responsibility for the interiors, and the look has aged beautifully. Brown – which many people unfairly dismiss – is the hero colour. Already in 2015 it felt like a bold, trend-setting choice; now, with warm neutrals and earthy tones everywhere on Instagram, it feels spot on.
Today the hotel has 73 rooms, from compact singles to larger king rooms and suites. The furniture is hand-made in West London, and many of the fabrics are woven using natural fibres on the Isle of Bute in Scotland, which adds a quiet layer of British craftsmanship to the space.
There are thoughtful details everywhere: bespoke artwork (originally created by Mr Nadler’s son – it really was a family affair when I first visited), clean lines, and lighting that feels warm rather than clinical. Some rooms feature Paul Smith Anglepoise lamps, a subtle nod to modern British design without shouting about it.
The beds are genuinely excellent – pocket-sprung mattresses, soft linens and proper pillows. London hotel rooms are often small; here the design does a good job of making everything feel functional and cosy rather than cramped.
The Signature Mini-Kitchens – The Game Changer
One of my favourite features then, and still now, is the hidden mini-kitchen. Behind a sliding door you’ll find:
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Fridge
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Microwave
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Nespresso / espresso machine
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Kettle and proper mugs
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Basic crockery and cutlery
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A Brita filtered tap, so you’re not constantly buying bottled water.
It’s such a small thing, but it completely changes how you use the room. You can store picnic food from M&S or Waitrose, warm up leftovers, make a coffee before an early train or a herbal tea late at night. For a city like London, where eating out every meal can get expensive very quickly, that mini-kitchen is gold.
From an eco point of view, The Resident Victoria also leans into sustainability with things like LED bulbs, eco-friendly toiletries and cleaning products, and a focus on filtering tap water instead of single-use plastic bottles.
No Restaurant – By Design, Not by Accident
One of the most striking decisions when the hotel opened was not to have a restaurant or formal hotel bar. At the time that felt unusual; now it feels smart.
Victoria has exploded with restaurants, cafés, gastro pubs and the Nova food quarter just a short walk away. The hotel deliberately leans into that. Instead of trying to keep you inside, they encourage you to eat locally and partner with nearby independent businesses, even negotiating special offers for guests.
Breakfast is something you curate yourself: pick up pastries or fresh fruit from the many cafés around Victoria, bring it back and enjoy it in your room at your own pace. For me, that’s real “resident” energy – living like a local rather than queueing at a hotel buffet.
Downstairs, there is now a serene lounge where you can relax with a drink, use the fast WiFi or meet up with friends before heading out. Members of The Resident Club get discounts on the drinks and snacks menu, which makes that pre-theatre glass of wine or evening nightcap a bit more appealing.
Service & “Resident Insiders” – Hosted, Not Hovered Over
When we first stayed, I remember the welcome from the team being warm and genuinely interested – not fake-smile corporate. That “hosted” feeling has now become a core part of the brand.
The front-of-house team are branded as Resident Insiders – people who actually know the neighbourhood and can recommend more than the usual Top 10 tourist list. They can suggest a tucked-away coffee spot, a good local pub, a reliable nail bar or where to find late-night food after a show, and they’ll happily book taxis, restaurants or theatre tickets for you.
Recent reviews consistently praise the staff for going above and beyond – arranging birthday surprises, helping families with teens, and generally making guests feel looked after without being intrusive.
WiFi, Tech & Practicalities
Back in 2015 I joked that “if the internet is slow, it’s going to get ugly at reception.” Thankfully, Mr Nadler (and now The Resident) understood the assignment. WiFi is fast and free throughout the property, and rooms are equipped with:
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40-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels
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USB charging points and plenty of sockets
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Laptop-compatible safes
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Air-conditioning
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Sound-insulated walls, which really matter in central London
There’s also 24-hour reception, luggage storage, dry-cleaning options and all the usual four-star city-hotel services you’d expect.
Who Is The Resident Victoria For?
From my experience and from what’s evolved since:
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Business travellers who want a quiet base near Victoria Station, with fast WiFi and the ability to self-cater simple meals.
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Theatre lovers catching shows at Victoria Palace or Apollo Victoria – it’s an easy walk back after curtain call.
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First-time visitors to London who want to be near big landmarks (Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben) but don’t want to be stuck in a soulless chain hotel.
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Families and couples who appreciate having a kitchenette, good soundproofing and a calm lounge to decompress in.
Rooms aren’t huge – this is central London, after all – but they’re cleverly designed, clean, comfortable and feel more like a stylish city apartment than a hotel box.
Who Is The Resident Victoria For?
From my experience and from what’s evolved since:
-
Business travellers who want a quiet base near Victoria Station, with fast WiFi and the ability to self-cater simple meals.
-
Theatre lovers catching shows at Victoria Palace or Apollo Victoria – it’s an easy walk back after curtain call.
-
First-time visitors to London who want to be near big landmarks (Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben) but don’t want to be stuck in a soulless chain hotel.
-
Families and couples who appreciate having a kitchenette, good soundproofing and a calm lounge to decompress in.
Rooms aren’t huge – this is central London, after all – but they’re cleverly designed, clean, comfortable and feel more like a stylish city apartment than a hotel box.
Details
- Room reviewed – Deluxe Room – From £245
- Website: www.residenthotels.com/victoria/
- Address: 10 Palace St, London SW1E 5BW
- Phone: +44 (0) +44 (0)2035408800
