InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - PC hotels around London West End

Hi folks,

Looking for recommendations for a good spot for a couple of nights stay in the middle of next year. Last time I was in London was in the Intercon Park Lane, but not sure my points balance will allow for that by then.

Something walking distance to the theatre district and close to a decently connected tube station would be preferred! Will be flying into London City and out of LHR if that makes a difference.

Nothing fancy required, a HIX would be fine if it's in good shape - I'll be by myself, so really all I need is a clean room, comfy bed, and a decent shower.

Danny

Obviously no shortage of choices. However, as HIX, HI and CP's are all 25k, you might as well go for a good CP (unless you are so desperate for a free breakfast!). CP City would be a good bet - whilst the tube station outside (Blackfriars) is shut for a year, it is a short walk to St Pauls and you are walkable to St Pauls, Tate Modern, Tower of London, Globe Theatre etc. It is not West End but the higher quality of hotel makes it worthwhile in my view.

CP St James is more walkable from the West End but still a trot, to be honest, and its not as nice as CP City.

Remember you can buy all the points you want at $60 for 10k (using cash and points and cancel ...) so you could buy the extra and go for the IC as well. CP City is not far off in terms of niceness, though, I think.

Since all non-IC properties go for the same number f points, I'd opt for the HI Mayfair if available. Rooms are not as large or nicely furnished as the CP in The City, but not at all bad and it is an excellent location. Have walked to and from theatres without problem. Also literally across the street from Green Park tube station which is served by three lines.

Forget about using points. Stick to the amazing 2 for 1 deal which is just about the best value across the chain. The HI Kensington Forum - close to the V & A, Knightsbridge etc - often comes out at about 70 quid a night which is a true bargain. Several other extremely well located hotels - Mayfair, Oxford St - will be a very similar price. Try finding similar hotels for this price in New York or Sydney. Forget about it.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/c/1/content/dec/teaser/6c/1/en/lp/emea/twofor.html?rateCode=IDEX1

Look at reviews on TripAdvisor for the HI hotels listed, and then look at the reviews for the CPs listed, and then decide where to spend your money, points and time.
The CPs may not be as close, but for the better quality it is worth having to walk a bit and/or jump on the tube or a bus for a few minutes.

HI Mayfair is in a great location, Green Park is well connected (direct tube to Heathrow, although a little bit of a pain from City Airport, but you can't really have both)

CP City is a 20-minute walk from Covent Garden; or there are plenty of buses, including night buses.
If it's a mon-fri stay, Blackfriars station will be open - you can get a train to Kings Cross and connect to the underground there.

If it's a weekend, there may be some good deals on 2-for-1 rates, not so much during the week, in my experience.

Yeah, I think the HI Mayfair is my leading candidate right now, unless I decide I want to spend the extra on the Intercon (which I do love, don't get me wrong!). With the CP City as a backup - I value location over how nice the hotel is for a 2 night stay.

Anyone have any particular good/bad experiences at the Mayfair? How's the food situation in terms of stuff very nearby?

Danny

Anyone have any particular good/bad experiences at the Mayfair? How's the food situation in terms of stuff very nearby?

Danny

Food? You are in the middle of Mayfair. There are probably 200 eating places within a 10 minute walk.

I am actually there next week on a £20.12 room so will report back on current state of rooms. It won't be a patch on CP City though.

I have only been to Park Lane, so can't tell anything about the other properties, but for location, I would go for HI Mayfair. In my opinion, HI Mayfair has a better location than Park Lane. I will be at Park Lane next weekend, but had originally booked HI Mayfair because I got a very nice price, because it is better located and because I am fed up with the inconsistently bad service at Park Lane. However last month I was upgraded to RA, so thought I would give Park Lane a last chance. Let's see if they manage to actually HOLD the door for me without "slapping" it in my face... or do the turn-down every day, not every other.... or SMILING at check-in/check-out. Fingers crossed... :)

And for eating places, as Raffles said, you are in the middle of Mayfair. There is a Cafe Nero, a Starbucks, M&S Food and Sainsburys within 100 m. for breakfast and lots of restaurants too. Ooooh, now I am very much looking forward to my London-trip!!! :-D

Xxx.