mauld

Has anyone stayed at this property recently? I have a reservation for 3 days beginging this Friday Feb 16th, and was hoping as a Platinum to be upgraded to their 'Butler Floor' or one of their Executive Rooms or Suites'. Upon checking the site this morning I came across the following.."Please note: Between 1/4 and 6/3/2001 Sheraton Park Tower will be renovating the Penthouse Suites, Butler Rooms & Suites and most Executive Rooms & Suites." I called the hotel and was told that yes, all those rooms will be off limits! Now I'm wondering if I should make plans to stay elsewhere--where I possibly can be upgraded, also where there will be less noise & renovation disturbances. Any ideas for other possibilities at this late date !
Additionally, when I inquired about the possibility of early check in, I was told they were completely sold out on the prior date. Upon checking the website again, I found lots of availability (which to me means not sold out). Does this mean my stay may be less than pleasantly accomodating ?

stimpy

I would switch to the Sheraton Belgravia which is just a couple of blocks away. Or if you don't need to be in Belgravia, the Sheraton Park Lane upgraded me to a nice suite a couple of weeks ago.

West Coast 1K

I just saw that too and am very upset! When I called to make my hotel reservation a week ago for this weekend, I was told not to go to the Park Lane for at cheaper rate because I would certainly be upgraded at the Park Tower. Now I find out that there are no suites or executive rooms open and I can't get into the Park Lane. As for the Belgravia, they only have queen bed rooms available. I just can't figure out why I had to call and ask them about the renovations rather than being told when I made my reservation. The Park Tower is an expensive hotel to be staying at if it is actually a construction zone.

mauld

Just checked with a couple of other spots in the area, but my problem is I was using one Free Friday, and then 2 days at a special weekend rate of 167 BP including full breakfast--so economically, I might be better staying put.
I just thought it strange that up until last week, the website was offering the Butler Floors & Suites at very high prices during this period. What happens to those who made a reservation and are paying 'big bucks' for what now turns out unavailable???

Starwood Lurker

The following condition is in affect for the Sheraton Park Tower Hotel:

"Between January 4 and June 3, 2001, renovation of the penthouse suites, butler rooms and suites, and most executive rooms and suites will be done. A fantastic new product will be offered upon completion with totally new bathrooms and a gym being among the most distinctive changes. Work is being scheduled and monitored for noise and other disturbances to be kept to a minimum. Public areas are to remain open and unaffected by the renovation, including food and beverage outlets."

It sounds as if they are just beginning this renovation project and are being considerate of the inconveniences it may cause our guests, but it would be safe to say that the possibility of being upgraded to a suite is very unlikely until the renovations are completed.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

West Coast 1K

Thanks Lurker. I just wish that I had known that when I was booking the room because I would have taken a lower rate at the Park Lane with the possibility of a suite.

mauld

Thanks, StarwoodLurker. I wasn't really looking for (or in need of) a suite, just some some sort of upgrade--if available. And knowing Starwood, I know they will do the best they can.

Shareholder

Having stayed there in the past, I know any room is extremely well fitted out. Will hardly have enough for a butler to worry about this trip. And as I will use the AC Arrivals Lounge at lHR to wash up after my flight, early access to rooms won't be needed, just a place to stow my bag. So I don't expect these rennovations to pose a major problem on Friday/Saturday. Just curious how they can improve upon what they had in the past?

MKB

Now I'm disappointed. Just last Sunday I booked my free Friday at the Park Tower for the 23rd Feb. As a Platinum, I was hoping for a nice Butler level upgrade.

I booked directly with the SPG line. (It was nightime here in the UK, so my call routed thru to the US.) Surely the agent taking my booking should have informed me of the work that will be in progress during my stay?

Martin.

mauld

MKB, as there appears to be a number of Platinums checking into the Park Tower this weekend, I am sure you will get some detailed reports regarding service, upgrades etc. If it appears not totally acceptable, you can probably change your Free Friday to one of the other Sheratons (Park Lane) nearby.

GB

I stayed there about 4 weeks ago. As a Platinum member I asked about an "upgrade" and was told that I was already upgraded. The room was pretty dated and dreary. For this category of hotel, I was not impressed. Even the public areas were not in keeping with a "Luxury Collection" property. The location however, was great. Also, there was a nice bar that served bar food in the lobby. Next time I will look elseware.

Fly Boy

This happened to me a while ago when staying there with my mother. We had to sit in the lobby for a very long time. It is not bad if you are coming from nearby, but we had just walked off a plane from Canada, so it was a pretty uncomfortable wait.

Re the other stuff: All things considered, it depends on your main reason for staying there. If there is no singular compelling reason, I am sure there are other Starwood properties in the area that would be more serene.

ron-val-ron

just back from london, where i used my free friday at the park tower

i know it's a free room in a crazy-expensive city and thus i'm not entitled to much in the way of belly-ache-ing

but

1) i too was not told of the renovations (upon reserving with the platinum desk, after the
renovations were already under way). no excuse for this. it should be
on every reservations screen of every agent. why do we have to beg for this
information? william, can't they make it part of computer system?

2) the hotel is getting a workover because it *desperately* needs it - at 400 bucks a night
or whatever they still do the two twin beds pushed together equals a king/queen
nonsense?! whole place has a dark 80's feel to it, maybe even 70's

3) shower situation in my room was a huge bummer - the shower curtain liner was only long
enough to cover 2/3 of the tub - water everywhere, etc - why do this?

this place just doesn't meet the standards of other luxury collection hotels - at least not yet

skip it in favor of the park lane - location is just as good if you've already been to harvey nick's and harrod's and don't need shop on sloane street, at all the shops you see in every other city

mauld

I too, just returned from my stay and I have to admit I found it rather pleasant on a number of points:
1) I arrived about 9:30 am on Friday morning and was able to check into my room early! A woman with 2 young children was in front of me and she was told she would have to wait--but she was asking for a specific type of room.
2) While it was not on the 'Executive Floor', my room was a 'Smart Room' (whatever that means) and was nicely fitted out.
3) I was using one Free Friday & 2 discounted weekend nights (incl free full breakfast). I was told I could use my 2 breakfasts on any 2 days of my 3 day stay and it would be good for room service as well.
4) I too had problems with the shower soaking the entire bathroom floor and also with the maid service taking my unread newspaper away on both days! (I had left it still folded up on the desk, with some guide books piled on top. I came back to my room to find the guide books moved and the paper gone!
5) Overall, I had a good experience at this hotel and would definately look to rebook here.
PS-I did 'sneak up' to the construction floors and found the rooms there to be the exact same size as all others. The only difference was on the top floors where the suites were located. So for my money, I'd probably stick with a regular Executive or Smart Floor since I don't need the services of a Butler. (I was under the impression that those rooms would be somewhat larger, but they are not.)

PPS--It was great meeting with you Shareholder, how was the Play?

Shareholder

Nice to share a drink with you too, Mauld. Look forward to seeing you again at the PiP in November. Unfortunately, I was not able to get into either play, both being sold out by the time I got to the box office [actually, sold out for the full weekend]. So I wandered around Sloan Square, had a couple of pints, and headed back to my Exec room.

I agree the hotel is in need of its upgrading to return to its previous high standards that I remember from the 80s. Baths will be completely redone with separate glassed in shower stalls. I didn't have the same problem you both did, but the plumbing was quite British... Otherwise, I found my room well appointed and furnished, albeit the carpet was a bit worn.

Still, I also had a very fine view of the city from my 8th floor south-facing room, and enjoyed watching the sun come up and Heathrow bound planes on their final approach as I ate my room service breakfast in bed, reading the Saturday papers.

Just back home myself, nibbling on the remaining chocolates from the little box that was included as a gift from the manager, along with the "Please bear with us" Channel Island Toys teddy bear.