travelman0

I'm planning a stay in London on points next month with my wife. I'm currently Diamond Elite and am considering buying the $200 Ambassador status.

I've read the reviews on IC Park Lane and Kimpton but not much regarding the Mr. and Mrs. Smith property L'oscar. Which property do you guys think I would get the most bang for my status? Complimentary breakfast would be my first priority then room size, upgrade. It seems IC Park Lane is dated especially since the points stay would only allow me to book a king cosy room.

nicolas75

InterContinental London Park Lane : central location, great service, very nice club lounge, small and outdated basic rooms.

Kimpton London Fitzroy : trendy district closed to the British Museum, very nice accommodations, great restaurant.

turner32

The rooms at IC PL aren’t that dated. The location is as good as you can get, the rooms are clean and the breakfast, whether downstairs or in the Club is excellent. A solid, well-run property that always delivers, in my opinion.

travelman0

nicolas75 thanks for the feedback. I was actually reading your review on your stays at these hotels

turner32 good to hear the IC isnt that dated and has good breakfast. I'm between IC and Kimpton. Is the free breakfast at IC better than free breakfast at the Kimpton?

ExAbz

On my last visit to the Kimpton Fitzroy (Aug 22) the breakfasts were fantastic, both food and staff.

Land-of-Miles

I think this depends on personal preference and whether you need to be over at Hyde Park Corner or not. The Kimpton is a much better property overall, better value, better rooms/suites and for many a better location. Bloomsbury has genuine charm and a village feel as a neighbourhood too in some contrast to Hyde Park Corner.

The L'Oscar is really not too far away from the Kimpton and I would be interested to hear about experiences there, it does seem to be much more expensive and the decor isn't really to my taste from the pictures I have seen. The location also is busier and a bit further away from all that I like about Bloomsbury as a neighbourhood. All that said I would love to hear from the horses mouth experiences.

Between the IC and Kimpton though it is no contest for me, the Kimpton wins out every time unless you get put into one of the more basic rooms.

turner32

It’s subjective, really.

Depends where you want to be and if you prefer a quieter/busier neighbourhood.

As LOM mentioned, you do need to go a couple of categories in at the Kimpton, because their entry level rooms are very small.