I stayed there last week for five nights. I got a decent point redemption rate (well for post deval) or either 240 or 260K total for five nights when the rates were like 475GB a night.

One thing I hate about that hotel is you have to climb almost a half set of stairs to get to the lobby. I was given an early checkin which I always appreciate in Europe and told I was upgraded to a deluxe room. It was no different than the room I received in December on points and I was told in December that since no exec or suites were available they would give me free room service for dinner and they offered to move me midstay, neither of those happened this stay.

I had room 321 which had NO view at all only could see another building a couple feet away and also was as far away from the elevator as you could get and required using a few stairs every time I went to the room (why would a hotel locate a staircase that it requires using stairs to get to some guest rooms is beyond me).

I hated the room and asked to move and was told they had no better rooms and that stay I hated the room so much I didn't mind moving midstay and wans't able to be relocated. The room also seemed pretty small but was renovated and did have the rainfall shower which I love but the towel warming bars didn't work. When I used my IPAD every time I turned it on, I was required to log in again, not a big deal but was annoying.

I asked about having breakfast in the restaurant instead of the lounge and was told there was an upcharge. Lounge use to have nacho chips or snack mix out at all times, but now between breakfast and 3 p.m. and after 8 it's only a small bowl with apples but at least soda is still free whenever the lounge is open. Still free alcohol but make sure you are there right at 6 or finding a seat could be hard.

Great location. Kathleen Turners new play is performing next door and if you go out around 8:45 she does signings and photo's at the stage door.

One thing to keep in mind if you are using the tube is the covenant garden lifts are being replaced and you can't enter the station at all until November and on Saturday and Sundays trains coming from Heathrow aren't stopping there so you need to use Holborn or Leicester square. If you have luggage I would recommend Holborn even though it's the other side of Covent gardens from Heathrow. Not as many stairs to deal with and the bellman gave me directions from the hotel that made it really easy, you just make a left out of the hotel and a left at the first traffic light and walk about five minutes and station is on your right.

A lot of cool shops in the area as well. I decided to explore regent street the one day and Lillywhite had some great tennis shoes that were cheaper than you can find in the US and Hamley's is the most amazing toy store I have ever been to.

Lot's of great places to eat at nearby and china town and soho are an easy walk