A four-star hotel located inside a 150-year old Grade II listed Victorian building (once a railway hotel), equipped with the latest technology, a personalised service, and within a stone throw of some of London’s most significant landmarks? Count me in.

Indeed, I was lucky enough to stay at Amba Hotel Charing Cross for one night this past spring: here’s a thorough review of my experience.

Amba Hotel Charing Cross

The Hotel

Obviously, one doesn’t stay at Amba Hotel Charing Cross without noticing the grandeur and sumptuosity of the building it is in. The old Victorian gem features spacious wrought-iron clad stairwell, which is beautifully complemented by a multitude of subtle period details Mind you, though: nothing, aside from the architectural details of this hotel, belongs to the 19th century. Seamless technology and modern amenities are the norm here, for a delightfully quintessential London experience.

In terms of facilities, Amba Hotel Charing Cross features a gym, a bar, an executive lounge, ballrooms, meeting spaces as well as a restaurant, which offers afternoon tea and a beautiful terrace overlooking the busy Strand.

As far as location goes, Amba Hotel Charing Cross can’t be beat. Depending on the direction you’re headed towards, a five-minute walk will take you anywhere from Covent Garden to the National Galleries of Trafalgar Square, or from the Thames riverfront (more specifically, the Hungerford Bridge, with sprawling views of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament) to the intimate eateries of Soho. For visitors wishing to explore further afield, the hotel is well connected with local transports, including several tube stations (Charing Cross, Embankment, Covent Garden), trains (Charing Cross and Waterloo stations), a multitude of buses, and riverboat services.

Here are some of my favourite places to eat, drink, and play near Amba Charing Cross:

• For good coffee: Notes (31 St Martin’s Lane)
• For rainy days: the London Transport Museum and the National Portrait Gallery
• For a historic pub: The Lamb & Flag (33, Rose Street)
• For impossibly fancy afternoon tea: The Savoy
• For a good meal: Shake Shack (24, Covent Garden), Polpo (6 Maiden Lane), Franco Manca (39 Maiden Lane), Wahaca (66 Chandos Place), Dishoom (12 Upper St Martin’s Lane), Flesh & Buns (41 Earlham Street), Terroirs (5 William IV Street).
• For iconic British goods: the Cambridge Satchel Co. (31 James Street)

My Room

I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about my temporary abode. The suite was incredibly spacious, luminous, and modern; I really liked that I had three different areas that I could use (the bed, the living area, and, not pictured, the desk area) depending on the mood I was in.

Amba Hotels pride themselves in having hotels designed with their customers first and foremost, and this is really quite obvious when looking at the many savvy amenities rooms are equipped with: free and fast WiFi throughout, smart LCD TVs, blackout curtains, heated mirrors, Nespresso® coffee machines, complimentary tablets, and even omplimentary soft drink and snack mini-bars.

One thing I think is worth mentioning is that if you should request a room in the back if you’re a light sleeper – the Strand is quite busy in the morning and remains so all through the evening, so I can see how this could be an issue for some. I, on the other hand, sleep like the dead (especially when jetlag is involved) and didn’t wake up once.

But maybe this has something to do with the incredibly fluffy pillows. I guess I will have to visit again to find out.

I was a guest of Amba Hotel Charing Cross. All opinions are my own.

The post Where To Stay In London: Amba Hotel Charing Cross appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.