Best Luxury Hotels in Victoria, Westminster

This 30-room luxury boutique, a member of the Red Carnation Group, offers superb service and a central location near Buckingham Palace. Chic rooms have a black and white color palette along with marble bathrooms stocked with Penhaligon's toiletries. There is free champagne on arrival and free snacks/evening canapés in the plush lounge. With the feel of a private club and attentive service, this boutique is an excellent upscale pick.

The 161-room Rubens at the Palace is a luxury property in Westminster’s bustling Victoria neighborhood. It has a royal history stretching back to the 1700s and has been family run since 1912. The hotel embraces its rich past and setting -- opposite Buckingham Palace -- with rooms that are grand, traditional, and outfitted with modern artwork and furnishings. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, luxury toiletries, and Royal Mews views, but rooms notably lack minibars and bathrooms can be a let down. The English Grill receives rave reviews, as does the authentic Curry Room. There are also two bars and a gorgeous space for afternoon tea: The Palace Lounge. Several events spaces are available, but sadly there's no gym or spa. For a similar stay, consider The Grosvenor Hotel. 

Built in 1862 by the same team that constructed London's Victoria Station, the palatial Grosvenor Hotel welcomes guests into Victorian grandeur. While many of the common areas maintain the original gold-and-marble details, the 345 rooms in this four-pearl property have been updated with contemporary decor, free Wi-Fi, and Bose iPod docks. They range in size from Standard Single Rooms to Executive Suites. Physically connected to the Victoria Railway Station, the hotel makes travel very convenient -- although some guests complain the trains bring heavy foot traffic. The Grosvenor is also within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and a short drive to Harrods department store. Travelers interested in staying at a hotel with old English glamour could also consider the similarly priced Rubens at the Palace, which has turn-of-the-century decor in a building that dates back to the 1700s.