London Luxury Hotel
Jun 13, 2013, 5:51 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
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Posts: 1,123
I have an upcoming stay at this hotel for 6 nights. Used to stay at the FS London but want to experience something new for a change this time.
Jun 13, 2013, 6:13 pm
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
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savoy >
here > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post15254719
(scroll up for Goodmorning2U report for apartment at Hotel 41)
and here - a year ago - still going on? >
published dress code at savoy and ritz a year ago >
sounds like savoy might have been requiring more than was published
metropolitan is another one of the hotels with apts like milestone
interesting from gallivanters twitter >
http://www.clubapartments.co.uk/apartments
AKA west end london seems to be taking 7 nt stays in june, before 30 nt stays after that, and has a 2BR with garage (even though it says this - "AKA West End provides the perfect environment for stays of a week or longer.")
here > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post15254719
(scroll up for Goodmorning2U report for apartment at Hotel 41)
and here - a year ago - still going on? >
Indeed, here is one of them:
http://www.selected.telegraph.co.uk/...or-pound39/400
with 483 sold just from this one
http://www.selected.telegraph.co.uk/...or-pound39/400
with 483 sold just from this one
sounds like savoy might have been requiring more than was published
http://www.fairmont.com/savoy/GuestS...s/Overview.htm
odd variation...
Smart Casual, No Sportswear [yes shorts]
- river restaurant
- american bar
- beaufort bar
- thames foyer
Smart Casual [yes sportswear and shorts]
- simpson's in the strand
Smart casual, no shorts or sportswear
Smart trainers and denim are acceptable
- savoy grill
http://www.theritzlondon.com/restaurant/dining-en.html
jacket and tie; jeans are not permitted; sports shoes are not permitted
- restaurant
- palm court
smart attire is a must; jackets are required; sports shoes are not permitted [jeans??]
- rivoli bar
smart casual
- cigar shop and tasting room
odd variation...
Smart Casual, No Sportswear [yes shorts]
- river restaurant
- american bar
- beaufort bar
- thames foyer
Smart Casual [yes sportswear and shorts]
- simpson's in the strand
Smart casual, no shorts or sportswear
Smart trainers and denim are acceptable
- savoy grill
http://www.theritzlondon.com/restaurant/dining-en.html
jacket and tie; jeans are not permitted; sports shoes are not permitted
- restaurant
- palm court
smart attire is a must; jackets are required; sports shoes are not permitted [jeans??]
- rivoli bar
smart casual
- cigar shop and tasting room
metropolitan is another one of the hotels with apts like milestone
interesting from gallivanters twitter >
http://www.clubapartments.co.uk/apartments
AKA west end london seems to be taking 7 nt stays in june, before 30 nt stays after that, and has a 2BR with garage (even though it says this - "AKA West End provides the perfect environment for stays of a week or longer.")
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 13, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Jun 14, 2013, 2:22 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CDG, SFO
Posts: 211
However I understand some of the comments concerning the service : it feels like a regular Fairmont. Lots of staff, asking you every 10 sec if they can be of any help, and the service is a bit robotic. However I enjoyed the view of the river (courtyard views are depressing so be careful about the type of room you book) and my girlfriend was happy, not being accustomed to luxury hotels, to stay at an historic hotel.
I wouldn't stay there again, mainly because there is better, but they take care of their guests. And in my experience, you won't get hassled for not wearing a suit.
Jun 14, 2013, 2:42 am
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I assume the 2 free nights with the Fairmont credit card in the US can be used at The Savoy? In which case, for free, it is definitely worth it!
There is something to be said for staying in historic places like the Savoy, even if service etc is not the best in town. There is an atmosphere and history which can overcome other lapses, and of course you can get a river view as well.
The FS, for eg, whilst a lovely property, has rooms which, in general, face directly into other ugly concrete buildings and has a lot less within 5 minutes walk than the Savoy. Nice to go to the theatre and be back in your hotel within 10 minutes walk.
There is something to be said for staying in historic places like the Savoy, even if service etc is not the best in town. There is an atmosphere and history which can overcome other lapses, and of course you can get a river view as well.
The FS, for eg, whilst a lovely property, has rooms which, in general, face directly into other ugly concrete buildings and has a lot less within 5 minutes walk than the Savoy. Nice to go to the theatre and be back in your hotel within 10 minutes walk.
Jun 14, 2013, 4:19 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
I assume the 2 free nights with the Fairmont credit card in the US can be used at The Savoy? In which case, for free, it is definitely worth it!
There is something to be said for staying in historic places like the Savoy, even if service etc is not the best in town. There is an atmosphere and history which can overcome other lapses, and of course you can get a river view as well.
The FS, for eg, whilst a lovely property, has rooms which, in general, face directly into other ugly concrete buildings and has a lot less within 5 minutes walk than the Savoy. Nice to go to the theatre and be back in your hotel within 10 minutes walk.
There is something to be said for staying in historic places like the Savoy, even if service etc is not the best in town. There is an atmosphere and history which can overcome other lapses, and of course you can get a river view as well.
The FS, for eg, whilst a lovely property, has rooms which, in general, face directly into other ugly concrete buildings and has a lot less within 5 minutes walk than the Savoy. Nice to go to the theatre and be back in your hotel within 10 minutes walk.
For the theatre though I would stay either One Aldwych or Covent Garden Hotel.
Jun 14, 2013, 8:52 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
I am rather surprised at the degree to which people are dismissing The Savoy. The reviews on TripAdvisor for The Savoy are much more favorable in comparison. I also didn't get a sense that people think much of The Milestone which is surprising given that it is #3 on TripAdvisor with average of 5/5 stars. The Lanesborough, The Connaught all appear a bit old and kind of stale? Which other hotels would people really recommend then?
Jun 14, 2013, 8:58 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 324
Has anyone recently stayed at the Cafe Royal Hotel? How would you compare it with the FS, etc?
Jun 14, 2013, 10:21 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I am a big fan of FS Park Lane, especially its suites, but wish it would improve its Amaranto menu, or preferably turn it into a modern British restaurant. The only hotel which does really authentic Italian is Bvlgari, where the food is excellent - And it makes sense for Bvlgari to have an Italian restaurant, whereas it makes no sense at all for FS to have one.
Jun 14, 2013, 11:05 am
#24
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
any aldwych fans stayed recently? they added a guest-only lounge
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 14, 2013 at 11:54 am
Jun 14, 2013, 11:49 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: amex platinum, american advantage, united, ANA, JAP. SPG, marriott
Posts: 1,257
Be careful with reviews on TripAdvisor which often are written by the properties themselves.
The only reason I said the Covent Garden was stepping down a notch is because it is more of a boutique than a grand hotel. As far as service and atmosphere go it can't be beat.
The only reason I said the Covent Garden was stepping down a notch is because it is more of a boutique than a grand hotel. As far as service and atmosphere go it can't be beat.
Jun 14, 2013, 6:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
any aldwych fans stayed recently? they added a guest-only lounge
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html
I am an outlier on the Firmdale hotels, which are certainly good, but don't do much for me. For me the current choice is the Connaught.
Jun 14, 2013, 8:44 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
I will definitely put another vote in for Hotel 41. They have been great to me on my 10+ stays over the years. Rather personal service that is warm and willing to go beyond the normal. Not a standard hotel but one that makes you feel relaxed and at home.
savoy >
here > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post15254719
(scroll up for Goodmorning2U report for apartment at Hotel 41)
and here - a year ago - still going on? >
published dress code at savoy and ritz a year ago >
sounds like savoy might have been requiring more than was published
metropolitan is another one of the hotels with apts like milestone
interesting from gallivanters twitter >
http://www.clubapartments.co.uk/apartments
AKA west end london seems to be taking 7 nt stays in june, before 30 nt stays after that, and has a 2BR with garage (even though it says this - "AKA West End provides the perfect environment for stays of a week or longer.")
here > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post15254719
(scroll up for Goodmorning2U report for apartment at Hotel 41)
and here - a year ago - still going on? >
published dress code at savoy and ritz a year ago >
sounds like savoy might have been requiring more than was published
metropolitan is another one of the hotels with apts like milestone
interesting from gallivanters twitter >
http://www.clubapartments.co.uk/apartments
AKA west end london seems to be taking 7 nt stays in june, before 30 nt stays after that, and has a 2BR with garage (even though it says this - "AKA West End provides the perfect environment for stays of a week or longer.")
Jun 14, 2013, 8:59 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
If OA has added a guest only lounge, I didn't know about it when I was there recently. It is still a fine hotel, but the unfortunate fact is that little about the hotel has changed in 10 years, and other properties have zoomed past them (no, not the ME, which is truly atrocious).
I am an outlier on the Firmdale hotels, which are certainly good, but don't do much for me. For me the current choice is the Connaught.
I am an outlier on the Firmdale hotels, which are certainly good, but don't do much for me. For me the current choice is the Connaught.
aldwych has not been getting the same discussion it used to, but i dont recall any comments about negative changes either.
(i believe FS has pretty much always been consistent here for service.)
lounge opened 8+ months ago according to >
http://www.usatoday.com/story/hotelc...aries/1726675/
- In September, London's luxurious One Aldwych hotel opened a private guest lounge that features cozy sofas and armchairs, free Wi-Fi, plus a selection of iPads, magazines and newspapers, says hotel publicist Howard Rombough.
Guests can also receive complimentary neck, back and shoulder massages, canapés in the afternoon and the services of a lounge host throughout the day who can book restaurants or check people into their flights. Guests can order food and cocktails throughout the day and evening.
The space previously housed a small café and the hotel's florist, Rombough says. The hotel created the lounge to gain an edge over rivals.
"Guests have hundreds of very good luxury hotels to choose from in London," Rombough says. "It was apparent — because our guests told us so — that a private lounge would be a big reason to keep them coming back."
Guests can also receive complimentary neck, back and shoulder massages, canapés in the afternoon and the services of a lounge host throughout the day who can book restaurants or check people into their flights. Guests can order food and cocktails throughout the day and evening.
The space previously housed a small café and the hotel's florist, Rombough says. The hotel created the lounge to gain an edge over rivals.
"Guests have hundreds of very good luxury hotels to choose from in London," Rombough says. "It was apparent — because our guests told us so — that a private lounge would be a big reason to keep them coming back."
thanks! was certainly a very good and interesting report on apartment by Goodmorning2U
Jun 14, 2013, 10:03 pm
#29
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Corinthia, which I agree is not a luxury hotel (and at which I did not have a good experience), is, however, doing a third night free promotion during the summer. Do not consider less than a premier room and even those vary widely.
People here talk about the Savoy being a Fairmont but don't seem to mention that the Lanesborough is a Starwood!
People here talk about the Savoy being a Fairmont but don't seem to mention that the Lanesborough is a Starwood!
Jun 14, 2013, 10:44 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
any aldwych fans stayed recently? they added a guest-only lounge
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html
seems firmdale may have replaced it as other most consistent here along with FS recently
edit - oh right, for luxury hotels only trust this forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...formation.html