InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - 5 Nights in London

Hi all, we will be staying in London for 5 nights on points and was wondering if anyone can offer some recommendations on which HI we should go for. I've researched the forum and there are plenty of discussion already but most of them dates at least a couple of years back so looking for more recent experiences.

As a summary, it will be 5 nights on points being a plat in October. I think it will be a HI as we do not wish to spend more than 25k (or 20/15 P+C). As this will be mrs bxs's first trip to London on our rtw honeymoon, below are the list of items that we'll need some help with. And due to location being pretty important, our short list is HI Oxford Circus, Mayfair, Regents Park or Bloomsbury.


Free Wifi
Plat upgrades (on points)
Conditions of rooms


Thanks in advance

Hi all, we will be staying in London for 5 nights on points and was wondering if anyone can offer some recommendations on which HI we should go for. I've researched the forum and there are plenty of discussion already but most of them dates at least a couple of years back so looking for more recent experiences.

As a summary, it will be 5 nights on points being a plat in October. I think it will be a HI as we do not wish to spend more than 25k (or 20/15 P+C). As this will be mrs bxs's first trip to London on our rtw honeymoon, below are the list of items that we'll need some help with. And due to location being pretty important, our short list is HI Oxford Circus, Mayfair, Regents Park or Bloomsbury.


Free Wifi
Plat upgrades (on points)
Conditions of rooms


Thanks in advance

If its your honeymoon, stay at Crowne Plaza The City or the IC. The other properties are substantially worse in terms of quality. Buy the extra points if required using the 'cash and points and cancel' trick - you are talking an extra $60 a night for the CP, well worth it.

Of those you listed, Mayfair has the biggest rooms and best location.

Thanks Raffles. As this is part of a rather epic trip, we are splurging in better hotels in other cities in Europe. Also we both prefer being out and about rather than those relaxing in the hotel kind of honeymoon (again will be doing that elsewhere). The list of things for us to hit in London is mainly sight seeing, catch a show or two in west end and Heston's fat duck. Not expecting any of the HI to be extraordinary tbh just hoping to choose one that wouldn't be a total disaster that's all. Reviews on TRipadvisor is too diverse for us to make a call!!

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I'm sure someone will correct me, but don't think any of those hotels offer free wi-fi. The chances of an upgrade for a 5 night points booking are not great either, I'm afraid.

as a UK based bloke...I don't think you'll have a lot of joy with the free wifi. But london has free wifi in LOTS of places...you're never more than a 2 minute walk from a McDs and Starbucks. With the Upgrades thing...I wouldn't bother; You'll possibly get upped to an exec room...usually slippers and gown but nothing great about the room.

Where would I stay...the HI Regent Park would be my choice...nice area, lots around the corner...just my perspective.

It's very walkable to oxford street/goodge st....loads of brekky options.
If you want the hotel brekky...make sure you ask at check-in whether they offer discount deals the day in advance (very common).

Thanks Raffles. As this is part of a rather epic trip, we are splurging in better hotels in other cities in Europe. Also we both prefer being out and about rather than those relaxing in the hotel kind of honeymoon (again will be doing that elsewhere). The list of things for us to hit in London is mainly sight seeing, catch a show or two in west end and Heston's fat duck. Not expecting any of the HI to be extraordinary tbh just hoping to choose one that wouldn't be a total disaster that's all. Reviews on TRipadvisor is too diverse for us to make a call!!

A Mayfair room with 2 double beds will be huge - they are actually the biggest standard rooms I have ever seen in London. They have a few Exec rooms which have been redone (the other rooms are 25-ish years old) and you could see if they would take a few quid for an upgrade. Starbucks and a Sainsbury's supermarket directly opposite and 100 cafes and restaurants within 5 minutes walk. The Ritz hotel is opposite should you want to eat or drink there at night (jacket and tie needed, no exceptions). Green Park tube about 30 seconds walk, which is a direct link to Heathrow. Walkable to all the theatres.

The Fat Duck is not in London, I assume you know. You should also book now if you want to go. Heston's restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental is also worth a visit.

If its your honeymoon, stay at Crowne Plaza The City or the IC. The other properties are substantially worse in terms of quality. Buy the extra points if required using the 'cash and points and cancel' trick - you are talking an extra $60 a night for the CP, well worth it.

Of those you listed, Mayfair has the biggest rooms and best location.

Although I understand the need and desire to economize, the CP at Blackfriars is quite a nice place and such a great location. I might well do cash and points to make that leap.

HI Mayfair would be my choice too. Walking distance to everything including StPauls and Southbank if you are willing to stretch legs a little further. Good for all west end theatres also. You can minimise need for public transport by staying there. It's 2 minute walk from Green Park tube when you do need it. Picadilly line takes you direct to lhr by tube in 60 mins and to South Ken for museums and Knightsbridge. Jubilee line takes you direct to Olympic Park, Waterloo, Baker Street. A few weeks ago i was surprised no to pick up any useful wifi signal in hotel rooms but this was no big deal. Just go to a tmobile shop and get a payg sim for 5 pounds which will give you 500 mb for video and music plus unlimitted browsong, email, facebook etc for a month.

JI Mayfair would be my choice too. Walking distance to everything including StPauls and Southbank if you are willing to stretch legs a little further. Good for all west end theatres also. You can minimise need for public transport by staying there. It's 2 minute walk from Green Park tube when you do need it. Picadilly line takes you direct to lhr by tube in 60 mins and to South Ken for museums and Knightsbridge. Jubilee line takes you direct to Olympic Park, Waterloo, Baker Street. A few weeks ago i was surprised not to pick up any useful wifi signal in hotel rooms but this was no big deal. Just go to a tmobile shop and get a payg sim for 5 pounds which will give you 500 mb for video and music plus unlimitted browsong, email, facebook etc for a month.

Thanks all for your input. Was originally leaning towards HI Oxford Circus due to location(reviews on Tripadvisor was probably least appealing among the HIs) but having had a closer look at the map, and based on the input so far Mayfair seems to be as good if not better. Might email the hotel closer to arrival to see we'll be able to score a nicer room as the points booking only have standard rooms.

The Fat Duck is not in London, I assume you know. You should also book now if you want to go. Heston's restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental is also worth a visit.


Their online system does not currently allow me to book as it's >90 days but will be ready when it hits 10am @T-90^! Any advice on how best to get there? Was thinking a train to Maidenhead and a taxi to the restaurant.

After much thought, we have decided we will take that step up and splurge a little more for a CP. So anyone has any advice on which CP we should go for? CP City or CP St James??

Thanks again.

St James is in need of refurb, frankly its (taken as a whole inc location) no better than HI Mayfair. Room will be a lot smaller unless lucky.

CP City and the IC are the only two you could consider luxury and therefore worth the step up in points. City location is not West End and thus may be a bit offputting but loads around the hotel inc St Pauls, Tate Modern, Globe and even walkable from the theatres in, say, 30 minutes.

St James is in need of refurb, frankly its (taken as a whole inc location) no better than HI Mayfair. Room will be a lot smaller unless lucky.

CP City and the IC are the only two you could consider luxury and therefore worth the step up in points. City location is not West End and thus may be a bit offputting but loads around the hotel inc St Pauls, Tate Modern, Globe and even walkable from the theatres in, say, 30 minutes.

I found it an easy and enjoyable walk from CP The City to the Savoy and Covent Garden and the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Buy the extra points if required using the 'cash and points and cancel' trick...

Can you clarify? What is "the trick"? Are you referring to just using C&P? Or is there an actual trick that could earn more PC points?

After much thought, we have decided we will take that step up and splurge a little more for a CP. So anyone has any advice on which CP we should go for? CP City or CP St James??

Thanks again.

I have been in both cp coty and hi mayfair. IMHO the difference in quality of city roomscompaired to mayfair were not worth the extra points. For me location of maufair trumps city and more than offsets difference in room quality. If you are likely to be out of hotel most of time then I think mayfair is a nobrainer. Although city is nice it hardly counts as a great leisure hotel for those looking for full facilities.

I just stayed at the City for 3 nights all on points and was treated very well. I needed a double/double room and it was renovated well and it was comfortable. Just request a room that doesn't face the office building. Very friendly staff and great concierge.

I was also given Club (for plat/RA) and it was a nice bonus.

Thanks again everyone who chimed in. CP city it is for us. Since the blackfriars tube station is open we can jump in the tube when necessary but can also see us taking a slow walk along the embankment back to the hotel. Have also been looking at tripadvisor and it seems like room facing the street is the way to go?

Also will report back after the stay and hopefully it will be as positive as patchan8984 had with a few freebies thrown in.

Anyone has a review for Holiday Inn Express London - Wandsworth? We're driving in London with kids in August (I know, not a good idea with the Olympics traffic). I am debating between this hotel and the Mayfair mentioned.

We're using points with Plat level for 12 people (3 rooms).

Would appreciate any other suggestions.

It's a standard Holiday Inn Express in a busy, not very attractive location, some distance from the city, although not too far from the underground.

If you didn't want to be in the area, I don't really understand why you would consider it on a points stay (other than the cost of parking, but there must be better options for 25,000 points).

We want to explore the sights but don't think it's wise to drive around (during the Olympics). What would be your suggestion for other options?

If we stay on the outskirt of town, is there parking once we drive into the main city?

Are you out of your mind? There is NO, repeat NO, reason to drive in Central London even at normal times. The cost of parking will be $100 or so a day for a start. Add in the Olympic restrictions with huge numbers of roads closed (some of which are already closed now and will be for 3 months) and you have a recipe for chaos.

Whatever your reason is for wanting a car, it is wrong.

And HI Mayfair is about 100 times better (taking location etc into account) than HIX Wandsworth, which is next to a dump (yes, literally opposite the local dump) and a DIY superstore. And I don't even like the HI Mayfair much!

Should you want to do the odd day of driving outside London, book a hire car for the car from a location on the edge of town, for eg Hertz at Victoria Station if you are heading West towards Bath, Heathrow, Stonehenge etc. This saves you from driving through the centre, which will be almost impossible during the games anyway. Alternatively, do all your days-out in one block and simply leave London entirely for 3-4 days, staying on the outskirts.

+1, fully agree.

Mayfair is bang in the heart of London (5 mins walking from Picadilly Circus) while Wandsworth is in the outskirts. Driving in London is a no-go (compare it to NY) especially around the Olympics it will be a nightmare. You also need a special permit (congestion zone charge) plus parking is crazy expensive.

This is a no-brainer for me.

As Raffles says don't rent a car for your days in the London area, only for the days outside London. Public transport in London is excellent but be ready for packed trains and busses during the Olympics.

It's a standard Holiday Inn Express in a busy, not very attractive location, some distance from the city, although not too far from the underground...
It is nowhere near the underground. I would endorse Raffles's views on this location wholeheartedly. Do not drive - use public transport or take a cab.

Sorry, I meant it's not far from the rail station.