[ARCHIVE to 2019] Conrad London St. James {GBR}
May 9, 2019, 5:53 am
#811
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
May 9, 2019, 3:15 pm
#812
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
I haven't stayed at the Conrad in a while so can't recall about their granola ... but Bankside claim that theirs is house-made. Do both hotels have the same management/owner?
May 9, 2019, 5:01 pm
#814
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
May 10, 2019, 3:38 am
#815
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Here’s the top five -
Hilton Bankside
Conrad st James
Hilton tower bridge
Hilton Northampton
Jeez it’s sad that I have this knowledge.
May 10, 2019, 3:51 am
#816
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
May 10, 2019, 8:43 am
#817
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
Definitely agree with 1 & 3 - though, until I read this, I never had any urge to visit Northampton...
May 11, 2019, 8:27 am
#818
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Yep I found Northampton to be a little grim but the Hilton is actually okay, great breakfast...they serve the granola in these china boats with yogurt and strawberries.....it works well.
Jun 10, 2019, 12:13 pm
#819
Join Date: May 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 207
Well, my flight is arriving at 8:00am in LHR. Even with a long trek into the city, I imagine I will be far too early for a check in. Any recommendations for a relaxed way to kill a few hours nearby? I'm sure the hotel will hold our luggage, but I just did not want to get right into sight seeing and such since we will be jet lagged.
Jun 10, 2019, 12:28 pm
#820
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
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Posts: 17,916
Well, my flight is arriving at 8:00am in LHR. Even with a long trek into the city, I imagine I will be far too early for a check in. Any recommendations for a relaxed way to kill a few hours nearby? I'm sure the hotel will hold our luggage, but I just did not want to get right into sight seeing and such since we will be jet lagged.
You could ask about checking in early or see if a room can be made available earlier than standard check in times . I have had no expectation of rooms being available but was surprised and delighted to hsve 9am check ins at Hilton Dublin and Conrad Hong kong
You are not too far away from St James Park ( on a nice day)
Also the National Gallery ( Trafalgar Square) or Imperial War museum ( Churchill rooms ) are close by as well as the houses of Parliament ( then cross the river and walk along the thames for the london eye and the aquarium
From trafalgar square it is a short walk to Covent garden or Picaddilly circus
Even walking in the parks I felt helped with the jet lag after an overnight flight
Regards
TBS
Last edited by The _Banking_Scot; Jun 10, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Jun 10, 2019, 4:29 pm
#821
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
Just chill in the lounge if you have access
Jun 11, 2019, 5:16 am
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
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Posts: 12,483
I would go straight to the hotel and at least try to check-in. Similar to the above I've had good experiences checking in early at various Hilton's across Europe and Asia. Especially if you have status, if the room is ready you will usually get it.
Even if a room isn't ready yet, you can at least get an idea of how long it will be. "Come back in an hour" means you can park it in the lounge or a nearby coffeeshop for a bit, while "come back at 3pm" means you can look for something less local to do.
Even if a room isn't ready yet, you can at least get an idea of how long it will be. "Come back in an hour" means you can park it in the lounge or a nearby coffeeshop for a bit, while "come back at 3pm" means you can look for something less local to do.
Jun 12, 2019, 4:28 am
#823
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Gold, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AMEX Plat
Posts: 220
I had a similar arrival time this week, and was able to get a room upon arrival. I did respond to the welcome email sent a week or so in advance with my anticipated arrival time. Plenty to do in the area, as has been noted - from parks to changing of the guard at 11:00 to Westminster Abbey. Would highly recommend the newish upstairs area at the latter. Interesting items on display, but I really could have spent hours admiring (in awe of) the main level from above.
Side note on the Abbey - big thrill finding the tomb of a great .... great uncle there!!
Side note on the Abbey - big thrill finding the tomb of a great .... great uncle there!!
Jun 20, 2019, 7:38 pm
#824
Join Date: May 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 207
Had a great stay here last week. Started off on the wrong foot with some minor irritations: they did not reflect my new Diamond status I had held for 2 months, and gave me a Gold welcome letter. I asked them to check again, and they saw my status had changed. Arrived at hotel at 10:30am, and even though I e-mailed manager ahead of time in response to that "what can we do to make your stay great" request that I would arrive at 9:00am, the room wasn't ready until 1:30pm. Killed time while jet lagged in executive lounge.
After that, things went smoothly and I enjoyed my time. Got one level upgrade from Superior King to Deluxe King. Very comfortable bed and pillows, nice rain style shower although it was easy for water to spill out because there was no elevated notch or lip. Found a complimentary white wine and hand written apology from manager next day for the check in troubles. I appreciate the customer service from everyone I came across: front desk staff, bell hops, servers, and room service delivery guy. One desk agent even recognized me by name on the streets while I was out and about.
I only enjoyed breakfast buffet on one day in lounge, never made it to restaurant. It was solid though not spectacular. It was still crowded around 9:00am, but open tables were available. I was especially thankful for the small sodas and lemonades available there all day; as my wife and I grabbed one each time we came back to the hotel. Took advantage of their 24 hour room service multiple times. Quite impressed by the tastiness of the food (we're foodie snobs), especially the sticky toffee pudding. We also decided last minute to enjoy afternoon tea at in house restaurant, Emmeline's Lounge. There was literally no one else there that afternoon, and we just walked up to ask. They were very accommodating even though it was just the two of us. While not on the level of the previous afternoon tea I've had in London (Fortnum & Mason), it was a solid experience with pretty tasty desserts.
Location was great, half a mile walk from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. There were various bus routes nearby, and a tube station right in front of the hotel. Upon checkout, I was able to talk to the same desk agent I had developed some rapport with, and was able to get the stuffed animal bulldog to start my Conrad collection.
After that, things went smoothly and I enjoyed my time. Got one level upgrade from Superior King to Deluxe King. Very comfortable bed and pillows, nice rain style shower although it was easy for water to spill out because there was no elevated notch or lip. Found a complimentary white wine and hand written apology from manager next day for the check in troubles. I appreciate the customer service from everyone I came across: front desk staff, bell hops, servers, and room service delivery guy. One desk agent even recognized me by name on the streets while I was out and about.
I only enjoyed breakfast buffet on one day in lounge, never made it to restaurant. It was solid though not spectacular. It was still crowded around 9:00am, but open tables were available. I was especially thankful for the small sodas and lemonades available there all day; as my wife and I grabbed one each time we came back to the hotel. Took advantage of their 24 hour room service multiple times. Quite impressed by the tastiness of the food (we're foodie snobs), especially the sticky toffee pudding. We also decided last minute to enjoy afternoon tea at in house restaurant, Emmeline's Lounge. There was literally no one else there that afternoon, and we just walked up to ask. They were very accommodating even though it was just the two of us. While not on the level of the previous afternoon tea I've had in London (Fortnum & Mason), it was a solid experience with pretty tasty desserts.
Location was great, half a mile walk from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. There were various bus routes nearby, and a tube station right in front of the hotel. Upon checkout, I was able to talk to the same desk agent I had developed some rapport with, and was able to get the stuffed animal bulldog to start my Conrad collection.
Jul 4, 2019, 3:30 am
#825
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Stay Report - 6/29 - 7/1
Location: The location worked very well for my purposes. First of all, if you're using LGW it's a mere 30-35 minutes to get here which is great. Literally across the street is the St. James Park Tube (District/Circle Lines) Station though do note on weekdays from 0700-0930 this station is discharge only (I learned that the hard way). Nearby is a Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, a few pubs and an off license. From here within a mile are the palace, St. James Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, Horse Guards, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and Trafalger Square. Like I said, great location.
Hotel: The hotel is small in a way that gives it a nice boutique feel. It's a mere 6 floors (7 if we count the American way) with a basement. The lobby has a small bar and a restaurant called the Blue Boar. There's a lounge on the first floor and a fitness center as well that I didn't use. The elevators are small in that European hotel way but thankfully there were never any long waits for them.
Check In: My father and I arrived at 12:30 and were told we could wait for a room upgrade or take a standard room right away. As we were gross and tired we opted for the latter. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
Room: The room was pretty small especially for two people but at least nice. The beds were about as narrow as you can get and close together in a way Europeans seem to like. We also had a small desk, large TV with a lot of channels including American, British, French and Middle Eastern ones and a very nice bathroom with tub and shower. There was also a small closet and mini bar. Wifi worked well and there were outlets and USB ports near the beds.
Lounge: The lounge is open from 0700-2200 with Breakfast: M-F 0700-1030 and Sa-Su: 0700-1100. There's also Tea from 1500-1700 and Drinks/Canapes from 1730-1930 with drinks staying out until 2000. It's is a pleasant space with another smaller, not pictured, seating area, a conference room that can be rented, two bathrooms and a shower and a couple of TVs and very good service from the attendants. Tea was fairly limited, a few sandwiches and some scones and pastries while Canapes were mainly cold cuts and cheese plus some nibbles. Alcohol selection was pitiful. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, American bacon, sausage, hash browns, cereal, pastries, yogurt, fruit, cold cuts and cheese and smoked salmon. Some items have to be ordered from the staff including toast.
Breakfast
Tea
Canapes
Other: As a Diamond I also could have had the buffet breakfast in the restaurant or for 4 Pounds extra, room service. I will note there were a couple of annoyances. Staff came by several times a day to check the mini bar. My father was trying to rest and they kept disturbing him. Also, we only had two towels and it took two calls to get more. Then on the second day the maid just took all the extra towels and gave us only one. But that's it for problems.
Overall I really liked this hotel and think it'll be my new Central London go to.
Location: The location worked very well for my purposes. First of all, if you're using LGW it's a mere 30-35 minutes to get here which is great. Literally across the street is the St. James Park Tube (District/Circle Lines) Station though do note on weekdays from 0700-0930 this station is discharge only (I learned that the hard way). Nearby is a Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, a few pubs and an off license. From here within a mile are the palace, St. James Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, Horse Guards, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and Trafalger Square. Like I said, great location.
Hotel: The hotel is small in a way that gives it a nice boutique feel. It's a mere 6 floors (7 if we count the American way) with a basement. The lobby has a small bar and a restaurant called the Blue Boar. There's a lounge on the first floor and a fitness center as well that I didn't use. The elevators are small in that European hotel way but thankfully there were never any long waits for them.
Check In: My father and I arrived at 12:30 and were told we could wait for a room upgrade or take a standard room right away. As we were gross and tired we opted for the latter. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
Room: The room was pretty small especially for two people but at least nice. The beds were about as narrow as you can get and close together in a way Europeans seem to like. We also had a small desk, large TV with a lot of channels including American, British, French and Middle Eastern ones and a very nice bathroom with tub and shower. There was also a small closet and mini bar. Wifi worked well and there were outlets and USB ports near the beds.
Lounge: The lounge is open from 0700-2200 with Breakfast: M-F 0700-1030 and Sa-Su: 0700-1100. There's also Tea from 1500-1700 and Drinks/Canapes from 1730-1930 with drinks staying out until 2000. It's is a pleasant space with another smaller, not pictured, seating area, a conference room that can be rented, two bathrooms and a shower and a couple of TVs and very good service from the attendants. Tea was fairly limited, a few sandwiches and some scones and pastries while Canapes were mainly cold cuts and cheese plus some nibbles. Alcohol selection was pitiful. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, American bacon, sausage, hash browns, cereal, pastries, yogurt, fruit, cold cuts and cheese and smoked salmon. Some items have to be ordered from the staff including toast.
Breakfast
Tea
Canapes
Other: As a Diamond I also could have had the buffet breakfast in the restaurant or for 4 Pounds extra, room service. I will note there were a couple of annoyances. Staff came by several times a day to check the mini bar. My father was trying to rest and they kept disturbing him. Also, we only had two towels and it took two calls to get more. Then on the second day the maid just took all the extra towels and gave us only one. But that's it for problems.
Overall I really liked this hotel and think it'll be my new Central London go to.