Gorgeous Eccleston Square Hotel completely delivered…

If you’re still waiting for Mr Erratic Texter to firm up that “we should totally go away sometime,” mini break, or for that much-discussed girls’ trip to finally escape the group chat, maybe it’s time to just throw in the towel and treat yourself. Nothing shows self-worth and empowerment quite like booking yourself a luxury solo staycation. Right here in the UK.

Forget the faff of airport queues, the “whose turn is it to choose dinner?” debates, or compromising on itineraries. A solo staycation is indulgence, luxury, and a delicious freedom from the niggles of life.

When London is your playground, why look further? I live a swift 14-minute train ride into Victoria. And Eccleston Square Hotel, an elegant Grade II-listed Georgian terrace that once counted Winston Churchill as a neighbour, is a few moments’ walk from the station. If your arrival point into the capital is Victoria, then again, this could make the perfect base for your trip.

This is not your standard London boutique

The styling immediately gives ‘successful gay man’ energy in the best possible way. Expensive greys, Ralph Lauren pillows, a mirror TV in the bathroom, and electric blackout blinds.

Eccleston Square Hotel also has all the gadgets you might want to feel a little fancy.  The clincher for me was that every room of this chic pied a terre has a £30,000 massage bed to ensure you get the best night’s sleep possible.  Anyone else completely obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep? It’s become a fixation for me…

The pièce de résistance, however, is the beautiful balcony overlooking the square’s award-winning gardens. Being a Balcony Princess comes naturally to me. I can (and did) while away hours perched out there. People-watching, sipping, snacking, reading, and generally having the nicest bit of ‘me time’ I’ve had in a while.

You can relax at home, some might say…

But the joy of a luxury solo staycation is that the nagging awareness of laundry piles, housework, and Vinted returns ebb away. There’s a delicious decadence in doing exactly what you want, when you want. Nobody is asking you to split hairs over whether to breakfast at 8am or 9am. You don’t have to negotiate whether you’ll be spending the day trawling art galleries you don’t care about. Freedom for me is breakfast at noon, naps at 3pm, and eating dinner when I want.

Victoria itself makes an ideal base, not just for travel logistics, but for access to some of London’s finer indulgences. I decided to fully lean into my wellness era with a solo trip to Vidavvi on South Molton Street.

This place isn’t your average spa experience. This is biohacking. Their machines are designed to literally speed up your body’s detoxing and rejuvenating processes. Ideal when you’re a perimenopausal, jet lagged, stressed mess. Like me.

My four-stage circuit included infrared light therapy, cryotherapy in a -85 °C chamber, lymphatic drainage, and a dry water massage. The best part? You’re on your own, so you avoid that bit where your friends would either be waiting for you or you would have to wait for them. I emerged with a spring in my step. And none of that dishevelled, smudged eye look you can get from a day spa.

Post biohacking, I treated myself to a mooch around Selfridges and a little nap before making the most important decision of the day.

Room service or dinner out?

Luckily, Eccleston Yards is about five minutes from the hotel, and there you will find the Jones Family Kitchen. The vibe is relaxed but polished, exposed brick, moody lighting, and their steak is truly *chef’s kiss. As I took my seat, I noticed the place was filled with large groups of men having lively post-work catch-ups over huge Chateaubriands. I took this as an encouraging omen about the steak quality (never fails). I went all-in; medium-rare fillet, an array of indulgent sides, champagne, red wine, and an espresso martini. At this point, I really was putting a lot of faith in that bed.

The next morning delivered sunshine, blue skies, and a clear day ahead. I took breakfast on the balcony again, naturally, making use of every last available moment as Balcony Princess. As I took my coffee and got waved at (true story) I planned my day.

Elizabeth Street is probably one of the prettiest (and most Instagrammable) streets in London. Pretty pastel shop fronts, independent boutiques, and of course, Peggy Porschen and her famously photogenic cakes. But having the opportunity to chill in Eccleston Square Gardens (above) had more appeal as they are only accessible if you are a guest of the hotel or a resident.

My instincts were right; the gardens here are truly exceptional.  Award-winning, in fact.  I spent the rest of my stay lying under the tree, eavesdropping on the regulars’ conversations, and enjoying how lucky I was to be able to do this. And quite honestly? There’s nothing more luxurious than that.

Eccleston Square Hotel – rooms from around £248 per night