skye1

Was in London for the weekend, and grabbed the Ł70/6k cash & points rate. (the hotel was rarely my spg of choice when visiting London prior to moving to the UK, as comparable rates could be found down the road at the Le Merid. Picadilly, and I like the Le Merid's having a club lounge, so one could save a bit of ŁŁ on food expenses ) I haven't "needed" a hotel in London since moving to the UK, but that rate was hard to pass up, for its location).

Was upgraded to a park-facing room on the top floor. Staff was happy to upgrade me to any executive room, but one of the staff noted that this top floor, park-facing one was to become available after a current occupant's 4pm checkout, and she was happy to hold it for me if I was happy to wait.

Was a bit surprised given how busy London is this time of year. View was incredible, looking out over green park towards big ben & the eye.

Like others, had to open the park-facing window in the room, and building-facing window in the bathroom to cool the room down.

Front desk staff were absolutely fantastic, all very "relieved" the hotel is "finally" getting refurbished, and all very excited about it, especially that they/the hotel is going to "finally" have a proper club lounge with breakfast in the am and canopes/drinks in the evening. Several said they're looking forward to giving the Le Meridien Picadilly a bit of competition (since a club lounge and contemporary rooms are what they are told lures people toward the Le Merid. down the road). It was great to see a staff team seem to take such pride in what their hotel was going for.

In the absence of a proper lobby for now, they have converted one of the meeting rooms into a "arrivals"/"Waiting" room, with snacks,water, juice, couches, and a tv. (in case your room wasn't quite ready on arrival, or a group of you needed to sit somewhere whilst your go-to person sorted out check-in).

Renovation/reinvention plans are on a "video" on the hotel's website. Certainly looks ambitious, in terms of trying to be modern and contemporary without completely foregoing their classic/iconic features.

If all goes well, the days of its rooms and hallways looking like your grandma's retirement home are soon to be over. ^

sscott77

I stayed here for 2 nights in October. I wrote the hotel directly in detail about my experience, so this will be an overview.

Requested a good view as a platinum and was upgraded to a fantastic view in a renovated room that was very nice.

Check in was painful. Room wasn't ready, we checked in anyway, then we came back to get the keys, we had to check in completely again. It all took at least 30 minutes.

Love the Molton Brown bath products.

Skipped the breakfast as the Platinum Amenity and was later glad b/c...had drinks and snacks in the hotel bar. A mouse very clearly and freely walked through the restaurant/lounge area. We very discreetly reported it to our waitress. She said, "I know. We have them all the time and can't seem to get on top of it." WHAT?!

No apologies, embarrassment, nothing. Just, yeah, we know.

I reported it to management and followed up with an email. They responded with 5,000 points. Apparently mice are not that big of a deal.

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DCFlyer0306

I noticed on the website today that this hotel is now just called The Park Lane, and is no longer the SHERATON Park Lane. Does anyone know when that change happened? I wonder if they'll move into the Luxury Collection once the renovations are completed

I always wondered how this hotel could continue to call itself a Sheraton without having a Club Lounge, as I thought Sheratons were required to have Club Lounges or offer complementary breakfast to Plats after the Sheraton brand refresh a couple of years ago

Keyser

i believe the name change took place many years ago....

Flews

Some Sheratons have neither the Sheraton name, or lounge, such as the WDW Dolphin. Unlike the Park Lane, though, the Dolphin is a resort, so no lounge required.

Cheers,

tattikat2

Just watched the renovation video.

Very upset to see what they have in store for the Garden Court area.
What was a lovely period room setting at present now looks like an airport lounge.

I admit the entrance and reception areas will be much better as shown in the film, once completed. But they are stripping the hotel of the heart of its charm with the garden court renovation

skye1

Agreed. Glad to see the rooms & hallways get a bit of a face-lift. But yes, sad to see what they had in mind for the Palm Court. Seems like they're going more for "renovation" than "restoration", which sadly comes at the expense of its classic, iconic features.

I always have found it funky to walk thru the Palm Court (along Piccadilly) to get "to" the reception area, as the "front entrance" of the hotel, on the back street it's on, always seemed a bit odd. I might have thought that restoration/renovation might have addressed this, but apparently not.

Land-of-Miles

It would be nice to not have to walk through the bar to reach the gym.

skye1

.....and there's that, yes.

tnw

I just watched the renovation video and have to say I love most of the changes. Personally the issue of the Lobby being at the "back" of the hotel, on Brick street didn't bother me, after our first stay 15 years ago. We now ask the cab driver to drop us off on Brick Street and it is never a problem. However, I am sad to see the changes in store for the Palm Court. I love this room and have had many lovely Afternooon Teas here as well as quite a few pre theatre and post theatre gatherings with friends and evening cocktails. We've always loved the sofas and chairs as well as the very pretty tables and gorgeous lamps. I'm sad to see that will not remain. We are headed back in March and April. I will have to say good bye to a lovely old friend.

megalab

I've only stayed here once and felt the Palm Court was among the more memorable hotel spaces I've come across. I was also disappointed to see the changes to a generic Sheraton Link/lobby. The only thing I remember about most Sheraton lobbies is how bland they usually are.

makin'miles

Absolutely agree... some updates to the Palm Court would be fine, but I love the Chinoiserie wallpaper, the light fixtures and comfortable sofas. The atmosphere during the afternoon tea there is really wonderful... I hope the harpist remains.

medichill

Just wondering if anyone could provide an update on the renovations. My family has a stay planned for July 7-14th.

Is there any particular room facing or other accommodation which should ask for in advance?

TravelinSperry

I'd like an update too - staying here next week. Didn't notice announcement re renovations. Is it terribly noisy during the day?