🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
The Clermont
📍 101 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0SJ, UK
Your stay — The Clermont
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The Property — The Clermont
The Clermont is a solid, no-nonsense three-star in a handsome Victorian building opposite Victoria Station. The lobby feels like a grand railway hotel from a century ago: high ceilings, polished marble and a busy bar that actually draws locals. It suits travellers who want a reliable, central base with a bit of character and direct transport links everywhere, not a boutique design statement.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement of Londinium around AD 50, grew into a medieval trading hub, and was largely destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666. The Victorian era saw the city explode outward with railways, grand stations and terraced housing, much of it still standing today. Post-war redevelopment gave us the concrete towers of the City and South Bank, while the 21st-century skyline is defined by glass skyscrapers like the Shard. Culturally, London remains a global mash-up of finance, theatre, museums and street markets, with a notoriously expensive housing market and a public transport system that runs 24 hours on weekends.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May to June and September: warm but not stifling, long daylight hours (sunset after 9pm in June), fewer tourists than July–August, and parks are in full bloom.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak tourist season, driven by school holidays, Wimbledon, and major events like Pride in London (late June/July). Hotel prices in central areas, including Victoria, can jump 30–50% from average; book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer better hotel rates and thinner crowds. April can still be chilly but brings cherry blossoms, while October stays mild enough for walking but has cheaper rooms.
Weather & packing
London’s weather is famously changeable: you can get sun, rain and cloud all in one afternoon. Pack a waterproof jacket and a light layer even in summer, and always carry a compact umbrella.
Live City Briefing — London
- Victoria Station is mid-way through a multi-year upgrade; allow extra time for navigating temporary barriers and changed platforms.
- The Elizabeth line now runs direct from Heathrow to central London (Paddington) in about 30 minutes, a faster alternative to the Tube or Heathrow Express.
- Several major museums, including the British Museum and Natural History Museum, now require free timed-entry tickets in summer to manage queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Clermont, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are above street-level noise from Buckingham Palace Road and the Strand, and the courtyard side avoids the rumble of main road traffic. The double-glazed windows help, but the lift is narrow, so higher floors are quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing the street (Buckingham Palace Road or the Strand side). Street noise from buses, taxis, and pedestrian traffic is persistent, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid rooms near the single lift on any floor, as the lift mechanism is audible in adjacent rooms.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (3 or 4) with a courtyard view avoid the main road. The front-facing rooms over Buckingham Palace Road have a direct view of the street but no significant landmark; the Strand side overlooks a busy junction with limited charm.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are best for quiet, as they are furthest from street-level noise and the ground-floor bar and restaurant.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on Buckingham Palace Road near the Strand, a major through-route. Noise from traffic, police sirens, and late-night revellers is common, especially on weekend nights. The bar on the lobby level can produce low thrum until closing (around midnight). The single lift is slow and can be noisy when in use.
Insider tips
1. For parking, book Q-Park Leicester Square in advance online; it's cheaper than on-the-day rates and a 15-minute walk. 2. Check-in online if possible – the lift is tiny, and a slow check-in process can mean queuing; arriving after 3pm reduces lobby queue.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Clermont
Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (up to 8 Mbps) – adequate for email and browsing; premium tier £5/day (up to 30 Mbps) available via login on portal; no time limits.
Single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections; lift is narrow (fits one person with one suitcase).
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical newspapers; lobby TV shows BBC News; building is a former Edwardian department store (Swan & Edgar) with original period façade and marble staircase (not open to guests).
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 07:00 at concierge (free); check-out by 11:00; late check-out to 13:00 £30, to 15:00 £50 (subject to availability).
Free for day-of-arrival and day-of-departure; long-term storage not available.
Step-free access via ramped side entrance (Strand side); lift serves all floors; no adapted rooms with roll-in shower; wheelchair users can access restaurant and bar on lobby level; no hearing loop.
No on-site parking or valet; nearest public car park: Q-Park Leicester Square (15 min walk), 2.2m height limit, £45 for 24h (advance booking recommended); no EV charging on-site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (VAT is included in the rate; no additional city or tourist tax applies in London for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: First night non-refundable deposit required at booking; a £50–100 incidental hold placed on card at check-in (weekend rates may hold £100).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Mary le Strand (443 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: King's College Chapel (464 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Crown Court (474 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St Martin-in-the-Fields (586 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bush House Arcade — 459 m · ~6 min walk
Victoria Embankment Gardens — 226 m · ~3 min walk
London Transport Museum — 273 m · ~3 min walk
Lyceum Theatre — 197 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk
Boots — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Tesco Express — 441 m · ~6 min walk
Embankment — 452 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots like Leicester Square — they give poor rates and high fees.
Contactless cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, even small shops and taxis. Chip-and-pin is standard.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fare or leave 10-12.5% in restaurants if service charge not added; £1-2 per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a chain cafe or bakery: about £2-3. Avoid sit-in coffee shops in tourist spots for cheaper options.
A sandwich or hot panini from a chain or bakery: about £5-7. Many sandwich shops do meal deals with a drink and snack.
A main course at a pub or casual restaurant: £12-18. Look for early-bird offers before 6pm.
Covent Garden's market stalls and Seven Dials area have varied food trucks and cheap eats, but the Strand and side streets near Charing Cross also have budget-friendly kebab or pizza slices.
Tesco Metro and Sainsbury's Local are common; M&S Foodhall for pricier ready meals. Both are near Charing Cross and Embankment.
High-street chains like Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M are on Long Acre and Regent Street. For cheaper options, go east to Primark on Oxford Street.
Daily cap on contactless pay-as-you-go (zone 1-2) is about £8-9. Bus journeys are £1.75 with a cap of £5.25 per day. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (£5-6) instead of the Heathrow Express.
1. Use contactless payment for all transport to benefit from daily price caps. 2. Buy groceries at Tesco/Sainsbury's for packed lunches instead of eating out. 3. Visit free museums and galleries—most are state-funded and well worth it.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Clermont
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 86 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Clermont?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are above street-level noise from Buckingham Palace Road and the Strand, and the courtyard side avoids the rumble of main road traffic. The double-glazed windows help, but the lift is narrow, so higher floors are quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Clermont?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing the street (Buckingham Palace Road or the Strand side). Street noise from buses, taxis, and pedestrian traffic is persistent, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Also avoid rooms near the single lift on any floor, as the lift mechanism is audible in adjacent rooms.
Is The Clermont noisy?
The hotel sits on Buckingham Palace Road near the Strand, a major through-route. Noise from traffic, police sirens, and late-night revellers is common, especially on weekend nights. The bar on the lobby level can produce low thrum until closing (around midnight). The single lift is slow and can be noisy when in use.
Which rooms have the best views at The Clermont?
Rooms on the upper floors (3 or 4) with a courtyard view avoid the main road. The front-facing rooms over Buckingham Palace Road have a direct view of the street but no significant landmark; the Strand side overlooks a busy junction with limited charm.
What are insider tips for staying at The Clermont?
1. For parking, book Q-Park Leicester Square in advance online; it's cheaper than on-the-day rates and a 15-minute walk. 2. Check-in online if possible – the lift is tiny, and a slow check-in process can mean queuing; arriving after 3pm reduces lobby queue.
What time is check-in at The Clermont?
Check-in at The Clermont is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Clermont have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (up to 8 Mbps) – adequate for email and browsing; premium tier £5/day (up to 30 Mbps) available via login on portal; no time limits.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Clermont?
None (VAT is included in the rate; no additional city or tourist tax applies in London for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near The Clermont?
A sandwich or hot panini from a chain or bakery: about £5-7. Many sandwich shops do meal deals with a drink and snack.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Clermont?
Daily cap on contactless pay-as-you-go (zone 1-2) is about £8-9. Bus journeys are £1.75 with a cap of £5.25 per day. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (£5-6) instead of the Heathrow Express.
When is the best time to visit London?
May to June and September: warm but not stifling, long daylight hours (sunset after 9pm in June), fewer tourists than July–August, and parks are in full bloom.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.