NJUPINTHEAIR

John69:


I don't understand something. You knew of two rate plans that provided breakfast - V88 and V12 -- both of which present fairly reasonable rates.

What rate did you receive that was better then either of these that did NOT supply breakfast?

True, breakfast may have been expensive, but the above rates would have subsumed that expense in the rate, and also, I thought that you were a Gold or higher and thus were eligible for Concierge Lounge Access?

yyzflyer

As I commented in this thread, County Hall was a mixed bag of experiences. There is merit in what John69 says. Maybe there have been cutbacks of late?

The room was nowhere near as nice as Chancery Court, for example. A bit more spartan and less plush, but an excellent size and the view!!! I did find the "price tags" on just about everything portable rather amusing. Ł40 for a cheap umbrella and Ł75 for a worn terry bathrobe seemed a bit much. Made me wonder what they would do if you used the umbrella and it blew inside-out in the wind.

Can't comment on the pool.

Actually some of the staff were quite unfriendly, including at least one housekeeper and one lounge attendant. We returned late one afternoon while the housekeeper was finishing our room. She was not happy. The service and attitude in the lounge were one of the worst I've experienced in a first-class hotel. They actually ran out of food by 8:30 one morning and basically just announced that was it, no more was coming. A manager intervened and apparently more was found, but we didn't wait around to see. The attendants were preoccupied with getting people to sign-in and indicate the number of guests they brought. Any extras were to be charged at rates clearly posted on the wall. Afternoon tea was not offered and the evening hors d'ouevres were paltry. I was impressed by the doormen/bellmen and the front desk staff, who remembered my name despite very limited contact.

Ah, the ubiquitous Marriott UK breakfast. Average and expensive.

Here I disagree. County Hall is all about location. More Tube choices, more food options (especially in the evening) and did I mention the view!!!

empedocles

We just swiped the sign with all the prices on it. After all, there wasn't a charge listed for the actual sign...

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Leadership is not about personal privilege or power.
The duty of the leader is to serve the needs of those
who are led.
-Jan Erteszek

John69

I did not use the V88 and TFB rates for an obvious reason: They are simply not available on weeknights at the County Hall.

I used the LHS rate, which did include breakfast. The only comment I wanted to make is that I consider it to be average and the price they normally charge to be too high.

By the way, I'm only Silver but will get to Gold in 2 weeks time (tend to travel all the time these days).

NJUPINTHEAIR

Am at the County Hall and I think it is great -- the staff are superlative and the Concierge David is excellent!

The buffet breakfast is 20GBP and although the Concierge Lounge is small, it now does serve lox and smoked salmon, as well as salamis in the morning, although if the breakfast is included in your rate, you should go downstairs and enjoy it.

There is a fine takeaway Asian called Mr. Ned's behind the hotel, and the walk with luggage to Waterloo Tube is about 10-15 mins, depending upon the amunt of luggage and how fast you walk. It is easy, however!

pwrshift

Barry...I'll be at the County Hall in October for a week on points and have the upgraded room view. Any suggestions about restaurants and must-see things just outside the door (easy walk distance)?

Brian

yyzflyer

Parliament and Big Ben to the left, London Eye to the right, just for starters. Avoid the Chinese restaurant in the hotel - expensive food, small portions, lousy service. Lots of threads to be found with search function.

paradocs

There is a McDonalds in the same building. This is helpful for those who have children.

sonofapilot

I've given the same recommendation in another thread, but Shino's, which is on the Embankment in the lower level of CH, is the greatest bar in the entire world. I will be in town in January, and I intend to be at Shino's promptly upon arrival. There's nothing quite as cool as sitting on one of their couches with a pint and good friends while listening to live jazz and having Big Ben framed perfectly in the window. I hear the food is also good, but I typically don't go there to eat.

jdrumm95

Stayed at County Hall in August and it was wonderful. Stayed on a reward and got upgraded to a very nice room with the Eye right outside my window.

4 people would be fine in the room.

Jeff

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What flight am I on today?? :-)

gunnar

Last week I discovered that the Marriott London County Hall is offering a very reasonable MR exclusive (M11) rate for Sunday nights: GBP 85 + TAX, incl. Breakfast.

The normal rate of such a room for next Sunday is GBP 239 (excl. breakfast). For reference, tax is 17.5%.

I live about one hour by train north of London, so I decided to try the County Hall Marriott and spend a nice day in London without having to worry about catching the last train home at night.

I went to London in the morning spend some time shopping and checked in at the Marriott around 14:00. The check-in agent at first couldn't find my reservation based on my name/MR number ("Did you book that today, Sir?"). When I gave her the confirmation number and she switched to a different computer she found it, but clearly she was a bit puzzled by the reservation. She asked one of her colleagues ("Have you ever seen one of these?") -- luckily the colleague had ("that's basically a 50% off rate. If it is not available, just use a Leisure break and change the rate."). Five minutes of typing later she managed to print the check-in form. Then she discovered that the rate included breakfast, which seemed to surprise her even more. Clearly they normally charge quite a bit more. Overall, check-in was a bit slow, but friendly and good-humoured.

The room was on the second floor and had a view to the east (towards Waterloo, no chance to glimpse Big Ben ) but had a nice view of the London Eye, which was very pretty at night. The room wasn't luxurious, but decent sized and the furniture was ok. The same is true for the bathroom. High-speed Internet worked fine but was somewhat steep (Ł15). My only complaint about the room if I had to stay there more than one night is that it was about a miles walk from the entrance!

Breakfast in the restaurant was very nice, both hot and continental buffets; not cheap though: continental was GBP 16. The staff was very friendly and professional.

The hotel seemed fairly empty. Hardly any other guests in the lobby (afternoon, evening) or the restaurant in the morning.

Overall this was an excellent stay and I am sure I'll use this rate again soon.


[This message has been edited by gunnar (edited Nov 17, 2003).]

sonofapilot

gunnar,

Thank you for the heads-up! I've never allowed myself to splurge for the County Hall, but this rate is too good to pass up. I'm booked for the 11th of January.

Cheers,
Neil

chichi

Looks like a great deal, does this rate allow for changes or refundable? What tube stop would be the closest to the hotel? Thanks

sonofapilot

chichi,

I booked this rate earlier today, and it didn't say anything about being non-refundable, so I assume it follows the same rules as regular Marriott rates.

As for Tube stops, there are several nearby. If you're cheap like me and are taking the Tube straight from LHR, the Picadilly line runs straight to the Embankment stop, and it's a short and lovely walk to the CH over the new pedestrian bridges and along the river. That said, the Westminster and Waterloo stops are closer.

As an aside, I often crash the CH when I arrive into London early in the morning to wash up in one of their lovely restrooms. I'm looking forward to actually being a guest there....

kiwibigdave

To my knowledge this is incorrect, the nearest the Picadilly Line gets to County Hall is Green Park. Agree that Westminster is the closest though . . .