Short summary - amazing service, great location, probably wouldn't pay Cat 8 points
Had a good stay overall here, just came back from three nights. SNA cleared though I annoyingly had to fight for it a bit at check-in (Marriott making my reservation disappear from me, even though my Amb/rep could see it, only compounded the issue). To summarize:
Pros:
- Impeccable service (light occupancy helped), it felt like a 1:1 ratio between guests and staff
- It is definitely a boutique property - nice if you don't want to see hundreds of other guests roaming around
- Good location right by the Hyde Park Corner tube / bus stop, can take the Piccadilly straight from LHR for cost savings
- Having the butler service is nice - wake-up coffee/tea every day. Didn't use any other services.
- Free ride in a 7-series within 1.5 miles - driver was great, nice guy
- Finishings of the room are quite nice; bathroom was fantastic and almost as big as the room
- Didn't use them, but have a nice cigar bar / regular bar
- SNA did clear to a Jr. Suite w/ a Hyde Park view
Cons:
- Breakfast is similar to PDG (maybe a bit more) - continental (fruit, yogurt, toast, muffins/pastries, cereal, etc.) but nothing hot. Complies to the letter of the law, but not going above and beyond.
- No gym - they will drive you to a local one but you have to pay the 25 GBP on your own
- Rooms are tiny...base is 250-280, my upgraded Jr. Suite was 330, even the full 1BR suite is 420. So don't go expecting space.
- I know SNAs are out of the hotel's hands...but 3 suites / suites with a park view (different categories) were bookable for the full 3 days each at check-in, and I know they were available for a further cash upgrade...whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am one who has been highly successful and happy w/SNAs since they launched
- Location is "central" but you're a 5 minute walk from any shops/restaurants (which is not far)...I think I'd rather just stay in Mayfair/Marylebone/Fitzrovia or thereabouts next time to be more in the action (but YMMV)
Was a great chance to try out for 60K points/night, but I'm not paying 85K in the future when there are so many other good Cat 7 properties.