London › Buckingham Palace Hotels
Updated: August 20, 2025
By Santorini Dave
• Best Hotels close to Buckingham Palace: Rubens at the Palace (6 minute walk to Buckingham Palace) • Goring (9 minute walk) • Resident Victoria (6 minute walk)
Why Stay Near Buckingham Palace: The Heart of Royal London
Staying near Buckingham Palace puts you at the center of Royal and ceremonial London. It’s a grand, stately, and surprisingly green area, perfect for first-time visitors, royal family enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a majestic and quintessentially British base.
It’s important to know that “near Buckingham Palace” means choosing between three distinct neighborhoods that surround it. To the south is Victoria (and Victoria Station), a bustling transport hub with a great mix of hotels at all price points. To the east is St. James’s, an exclusive and aristocratic enclave with quiet streets and discreet luxury hotels. And to the southeast is Westminster, the heart of political London. For most visitors, the best mid-range/affordable hotels are found near Victoria Station.
Westminster Abbey is a 15-minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
Best Things to Do Near Buckingham Palace
• Explore Buckingham Palace: The main event. See the famous balcony, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (check schedules in advance), and tour the magnificent State Rooms (open to the public in the summer). Don’t miss the art in the Queen’s Gallery and the historic carriages in the Royal Mews.
• Walk Through the Royal Parks: You are surrounded by London’s most beautiful parks. Stroll through St. James’s Park (my favorite in London) for perfect views of the palace, or relax in the wide-open lawns of Green Park.
• Visit Westminster Abbey & Big Ben: A beautiful 15-minute walk through St. James’s Park takes you to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben.
• Go Underground at the Churchill War Rooms: This one of my favorite London museums and a must-see for history buffs. It preserves the secret underground headquarters where Churchill and his government directed World War II.
• Indulge in Afternoon Tea: This neighborhood is home to some of London’s most famous and traditional afternoon tea services, offered at grand hotels like The Goring and The Rubens.
The 5-star Goring is famous for its afternoon tea.
Best Hotels Near Buckingham Palace
The hotels here range from legendary 5-star palaces to smart, practical choices, with the best value found on the Victoria side.
The Rubens at the Palace and the Hotel 41 (sharing the same building).
Luxury Hotels (Victoria Side)
• The Goring: A legendary 5-star hotel and the only one with a Royal Warrant from the Queen. It’s famous for its impeccable personal service and a magnificent private garden. (9-minute walk)
• Rubens at the Palace: A classic 5-star hotel offering opulent decor and an unbeatable location directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. (6-minute walk)
• Hotel 41: An incredibly exclusive and intimate luxury hotel with a private, club-like feel and exceptional service, located right next to The Rubens.
Luxury Hotels (St. James’s Side)
• Dukes London: A supremely classic and discreet hotel tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, famous for its legendary martini bar. (Closed for renovation until summer 2026.)
• The Stafford London: Another hidden gem in St. James’s, known for its historic carriage house suites and the fantastic American Bar.
Mid-Range & Value Hotels (Primarily in Victoria)
• The Resident Victoria: A fantastic 4-star hotel offering stylish, compact rooms that all include a small kitchenette. One of the best value-for-money choices in central London. (6-minute walk)
• The Clermont: A grand and historic 4-star hotel physically connected to Victoria Station, making it incredibly convenient for arrivals and departures.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Victoria: A large, modern, and reliable hotel just across the street from the station, offering comfortable rooms and dependable service.
Getting Around
• Walking: This is a fantastic area for walking. You can easily reach Westminster, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park on foot.
• Tube/Train: The primary transport hub is Victoria Station. It is a massive interchange served by the Victoria, District, and Circle Tube lines, as well as National Rail trains and the Gatwick Express airport train. You are also a short walk from St. James’s Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner stations. This dense network provides fantastic connectivity to the rest of London.
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