cowism

So consecutive 2 negative reviews at Novotel Canary Wharf and the Pullman...

​​​​​​First world problems on where to book in London then

yorkboy24

Novotel London West too! Let's see if better reviews come in on the Pullman.

IMH

We stayed here again last week and the property is slipping off of our "favourite hotels in London" list.

Our booking this time wasn't made through Accor, as it was part of an airline package, so obviously we weren't expecting an upgrade. We did get a higher floor once I'd shown the magic Platinum card, but that was all. I found it surprising that the room we'd initially been allocated even exists: why does the hotel have any deluxe rooms (i.e. the third-from-bottom category) on the first floor?

The room was as expected, but starting to get tired. Closing the window didn't quite seal it, meaning that noise (street and wind) and chilly air penetrated. The television signal was low def.

Maybe time to spend some money and/or rebrand back to Novotel?

IMH

We had another one-night stay here last week (January 2018, Platinum).

Good: greeted as returning guests. A drinks voucher for two was given (although not used). We had booked a "classic king" and were allocated a "deluxe king" on the 14th floor.

Less good: no "VIP treatment" (e.g. welcome note or amenity).

starflyergold

Full Le Club recognition does not seem to be a feature at this hotel any longer, which is a shame.

gilbertaue

And nobody complains?

starflyergold

Well I certainly did but the local management attitude was "we don't really care". Unless they are sent for remedial classes by Accor HQ I have no intention of staying there again.

IMH

We'll be avoiding the property on our next couple of London trips, but looking slightly further ahead do have a stay booked for June. After that, we'll have to see.

The location works extremely well for us, but that would also be true of the Premier Inn across the road.

andimilk

After a string of negative reviews and comments on FT and other sources, including Head for Points, I was a bit worried about my return to the Pullman that I had booked in for this past weekend. I have stayed at the Pullman before, not long after its conversion from a Novotel and was impressed then and as I had some plans in the Regents Park/Kings Cross area, I stuck with the reservation. I thought it was worth a quick update on here

The check in staff at the Le Club priority counter immediately welcomed me back to the hotel and provided me with a one level room upgrade on a high floor with a city view and a drinks voucher. The staff were efficient and friendly on this occasion.

The room was clean and looked in very good condition and the view was spectacular in the bank holiday sunshine. There was a personalised welcome note which offered a free snack from the (very limited) minibar selection. I assume this was a substitute to any other welcome amenity. The bed was very comfortable and huge and the room (a Deluxe) was a very good size. The WiFi was fast and I was able to get work done and stream content to the TV easily. One issue on weekend like this (25-28 degrees in London) was that with the curtains open the room got quite hot and does not have air con – only a ‘cooling system’ which couldn’t compete with the (admittedly rare) British summer heat. Breakfast was excellent in both quality and spread.

Overall - decent recognition of status, a good quality room, comfy bed, good breakfast, friendly attentive staff. Either they’ve turned things round since the run of bad experiences or I got lucky. Either way it was a good stay all round.

harryhv

Hmm, what will it be like in August! The Pullman like many the 3-star hotels in London get very hot in the summer because they commonly don't bother to install air-conditioning - same applies to the cheaper rental-cars. Buyer beware!

IMH

Thanks for a helpful review (and for your first post here, andimilk: welcome to FlyerTalk as well!).

That's good to read. We're back here next month for a trip booked long ago, so will soon get an idea of whether things have improved or you just got lucky.

IMH

We returned last week for a one night stay booked long ago.

We were welcomed as returning guests with Platinum status, upgraded from a basic room to a deluxe room on the top floor ^ and given a drinks voucher without needing to ask. There was no welcome note or amenity.

RohanDXB

Anyone stayed at this property recently? How is it holding up. Particularly curious about the aircon situation - is the cooling system still inadequate for the temps in August?

Ro

Yerumaa

Had a decent stay here, felt like a slightly nicer Novotel but not close to 5 stars. For the rate I paid (£170, pre-paid) it was better than what I expected though.

Booked a Deluxe room and checked in early (around noon), and the friendly front desk did their best to find an available room.
Also received a voucher for 2 welcome drinks (Gold member) - we were able to choose any drink from the bar (cocktails, wines, even champagne - except for some of the extremely expensive drinks), thought this was quite generous.
Gym is good and has a nice view, also has a decent sauna (closes at 11pm, gym is 24/7).
Temperature in the room was fine, but even though it was August it wasn't too hot during my stay so that helped. As my room overlooked the busy road, there were some city noises throughout the night: no problem for me, but light sleepers might wake up from ambulances etc.
Room was mostly comfortable. Pillows felt a little synthetic to me, and the desk chair was very flimsy, felt as if I would fall over. Otherwise a good stay, close to St Pancras (which was why I stayed here). Would stay again for the right price.