heer84

I definitely agree. An about 30 minutes after check in, one if the porters had delivered my ambassador fruit and water along with some freshly made chocolates and a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champaign.....I would not expect this to be a regular ambassador gift....but it was a welcome surprise and shows the hotel is keen to open with a bang

Land-of-Miles

Have those staying here had lub access or had to pay like at the Park Lane? What's the club like?

777 global mile hound

The Club has not opened yet so nothing to think about
I am hoping if they do charge they are brilliant enoght to make the cost per person as opposed to a cost for 2 which is infuriating to enjoy breakfast as a top tier member
It's also a reason I frequently stay elsewhere unless the hotel is exceptional in every way!

No fitness center yet or alcohol in the mini bars just yet

ag51

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.0.4; en-gb; SAMSUNG GT-I9100/I9100BVLPH Build/IMM76D) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)

Even by London standards, that room looks pretty small...

FlyerTalker688786

Guess someone is laughing all the way to the bank.

777 global mile hound

I toured every room type before departure and can I assure all future perspective guests no one even the in the lowest room category will be dissatisfied or disappointed based on London standards
Will Flyertalkers and Trip Advisor enthusiasts have things to complain about of course

The designers of the hotel achieved their objectives of exceptional design and function even in the smallest least expensive room type
All room types are pleasurable to be in!

The hotels marketing communication is deeply flawed presently on many of its best aspects and features.Having said that one brilliant feature even in the lowest room category for any guest yes even non Ambassadors is complimentary still and sparkling water from the mini bar replenished daily

I had a fantastic stay despite numerous small problems some clearly expected 72 hours into opening the doors.
The rooms and suites ate exceptional the staff engaging and caring and in due time I see this as one of my favorite IC properties in the world
And in London the best I've ever been in over the decades room standard wise
I can imagine when the club lounge and fitness center are open how awesome the hotel will eventually be
Over and over I kept saying why did they fail so badly in New York City TS ?

nicolas75

I do not see exceptional design looking at the pictures. Only uninspired corporate design.

This is what I call exceptional design:

http://www.conservatoriumhotel.com/

http://www.hotelmarignan.fr/

http://www.remota.cl/

http://www.fasano.com.br/hotelaria/hotel/4

http://www.commodoreastoria.com/

http://www.pensaofavorita.pt/

http://www.condesadf.com/

Etc.

why fly

I used 50k points and had a room last night. I got upgraded to a jr suite, [ really a med size room by NA standards] the mini bar had beer etc no liquor.Oh my god the TOWELS in the bathroom were so nice. The hotel was empty, I was one of the first 100 paying guests.
My friends met met at the hotel and we ate in the restaurant and price and quality were great. [price for London was good] Everyone is super friendly, we even met the engineer who did all the plumbing electrical designs for the hotel, and teased him we could not find the Men's bathroom for the restaurant... you will chuckle when you have to find it.

Decor of the hotel was cool, however for a 100% renovation, why do we have two steps after the elevator to try to roll our luggage to check-out???????? Stupidity.
I also asked and checked out the Club Lounge and its brilliant. They were smart enough to include a shower room so if we arrive early we can shower if our room isn't ready.
I arrived at 6pm and checked out at 7am. Doorman deserves a medal he jumped to help both check in and out and obviously hes on a 12 hr shift.

PS the uniforms for check in staff?????? I miss the concept. I almost burst out laughing thinking of the "Sound of Music" when you see the uniform...... cant wait for others comments.
For sure this will be where i will be staying in London. ^

777 global mile hound

I see your point about fresh design vs corporate design and agree with your thoughts
However the InterContinental has a corporate design standard and expectation for those who appreciate and stay with the brand
Cutting edge and minimalist it is not
I think most reasonable travelers will assume that it is luxurious which and it is!
Comfortable,excellent bathrooms of marble with beautiful fixtures and Bose speakers in the ceiling wall will certainly qualify for a brilliant design standard that falls within the expected boundaries of InterContinental brand design
Even if corporate as you put its still extremely well done
I agree they didn't break any new ground but comfortable elegant and well executed it is and in London with a program that is at least respectable is very good in this reviewers eyes.
I also think the photos don't do it that much justice
It blows away many of the so called hotels who call themselves 5 star properties
that are more lobby than room
So yes exceptional design within the corporate formula of design

FLYGVA

The older posts of the discussion before the (soft) opening of the hotel could be found here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

stimpy

FWIW I also think the Four Seasons London can fall into this "corporate design" style. It is not at all inspiring, but still made at a pretty high quality level. My planned stay here is still a few months away. I'll wait til I see it to judge.

nicolas75

Indeed. Not the best of Pierre-Yves Rochon (who is much better in traditional - even very classic - interior design).

Dexter Moren Associates, in charge of interior design at IC Westminster, has a low experience in luxury hotels (the company worked mainly on Novotel, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Marriott, Travelodge projects).

It is a pity that recent Asian ICs have generally much better design than a London hotel which is supposed to be a flagship for the brand.

stimpy

Talking about the FS London reminds me of something. That renovated hotel has one of the finest heating and air systems of any hotel in the world. Which is rather important in London. As we are in winter, how is the heating system in the rooms here? Can it be finely controlled? Is it whisper-quiet?

turner32

I've booked king executive for next weekend using a BOGO. Upgrade is to Club room with lounge access for RA. A one-level upgrade. I wonder what Ambassador gets if booking this room type? Club room without access?

nicolas75