St. James Palace

Staff courteous & room clean although outdated

I recently stayed at Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria for a birthday trip and unfortunately had a mixed experience. On the positive side, the location is excellent. It’s in a very convenient area with easy access to transport, restaurants, and major attractions, which made exploring London simple and enjoyable. However, the service and room experience were disappointing. At check-in, the staff member did not go over any key information such as breakfast times, check-out procedures, or hotel amenities. We were left to figure everything out ourselves, which didn’t feel very welcoming — especially given that this stay was noted as a birthday trip when I made the booking. Our room was located in the basement, which raised a few concerns. Guests staying on upper floors had to scan their keycard in the lift to access their level, providing an added sense of security. However, because we were in the basement, there was no restricted access required, meaning anyone could potentially come and go freely in that area. This did not feel particularly secure. Additionally, the room had no windows at all. Personally, I found this concerning from a safety standpoint in the event of a fire or emergency. The lack of natural light and proper ventilation also made the room feel quite enclosed.

Very friendly and helpful staff. You can tell they are passionate and want to provide a good experience to the guests.