In short… Modern apartment-style hotel rooms in an extremely convenient location, perfect for longer stays in London.
The surroundings… Right by London’s Victoria station and just a 10 minute walk from Belgravia, The July is incredibly well located. The area itself isn’t exactly neighborhood-y or quaint, as many travelers look for in London, but its connection to the tube and Victoria train stations means easy access in a city that can be complicated to navigate. You’re also just a 10-minute walk from Elizabeth St, one of my favorite shopping streets in all of London, and being south of Hyde Park Corner means you’re closer to everything in Chelsea, South London and beyond.
The vibe… Check-in happens at a casual desk in the lobby, with a very cool, well-designed co-working space to the right of the entryway. To the left of the lobby is the “pantry,” stocked with very cute, local staples which guests can purchase and bring upstairs to cook (all rooms feature kitchenettes—more on that below). Beyond that is The Idler, the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The whole property feels young, fresh and fun, with lots of color, bold patterns and a little Scandi-influence—the opposite of stuffy. And the staff is very welcoming, as you can sit and work in the coworking space and eat in the restaurant, with nice flow within the spaces.
The rooms… Spacious and arranged like mini studio apartments, with kitchenettes and small dining nooks, the rooms are well set up for longer stays. And these “kitchenettes” are really kitchens: full electric stove, an oven, small dishwasher, and thoughtful basics like olive oil, salt and pepper. While a studio might sound constricting, the room is mapped out well so that there’s a clear separation between the kitchen, dining area and bed. Speaking of, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and floor-to-ceiling windows allowed lots of light into the room. I was especially fond of the entirely tiled pink bathroom.
The food & drink… Breakfast includes a solid buffet/continental breakfast option, as well as made-to-order dishes, but lunch is where The Idler really shines. We enjoyed a few starters, Mediterranean-leaning small plates made with British produce, all very thoughtful and fresh—don’t skip the anchovies! It was delicious and quick, and felt like a great place for a lunch meeting. The Idler is also a great spot to grab a meal before traveling, given its convenient location near London Victoria, far superior to grabbing a Pret sandwich at the station.
The wellness… While there is no spa on property, the gym on the hotel’s lower level is great, fully kitted out with Technogym machines, and includes a sauna you can book for private use. Despite being on the smaller side, the gym never felt cramped—I worked out alongside two other people and there was no bumping into each other!
Is it kid friendly? Yes! I saw a couple of families traveling with children, and I know they also have some two- and three-bedrooms apartments, which would also be perfect when staying with kids.
Parting words… In a city where Airbnb and other rental sites continue to rise in price, finding apartment-style hotels is a luxury, mixing the convenience of a rental with the services of a hotel.
Date of stay… November 24-25th, 2025
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