Lost Property St Paul's London - Curio Collection by Hilton {GBR}
#1
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Posts: 63,711
Lost Property St Paul's London - Curio Collection by Hilton {GBR}
Lost Property St Paul's London - Curio Collection by Hilton
This hotel is a new boutique style hotel, which opened in July 2022, located close to St Paul’s cathedral in the centre of London. There are 145 rooms over 12 room types from Queen Guest Room at 18m2 to King Junior Suite with View at 36m2.
Name
The name Lost Property is a marketing derivation. It came about from the concept of this property being lost or unknown, perhaps in terms of being a forgotten gem. Otherwise it’s a play on words for the usual term for someone’s mislaid possessions. The design of the hotel is influenced by the various concepts of being lost, so there are pictures of Tasman Tigers and Dodos for example.
Location
Ludgate Hill both a street and a mound that is one of the 3 hills that make up the city of London, though at a mere 17 metres above sea level it would only be noticed by a cyclist. It’s a street that connects Fleet Street to St. Paul’s Cathedral and was the centre of London’s printing and publishing industry. These were often operated via coffee houses, source of news and gossip, so the hotel’s coffeehouse Tattle is an acknowledgement of that.
Building history
The building dates from 1885, when it was used as a printing house. It’s not a historically important building in its own right and has in any case been frequently rebuilt and refurbished, up to 1990. In more recent years it has been an office block with retail premises on the ground floor. Costa had a coffee shop here but in the last years of the old building it was the home to a garish souvenir shop, which is indicative of an end of lease opportunity.
Rebuilding
The hotel is in a very sensitive spot being very close to St Paul’s Cathedral and on an important thoroughfare and line of sight. An unrelated development in Paternoster Square caused a lot of controversy and so any development work was going to get a lot of scrutiny. In 2017 permission was given to rebuild the building by gutting the interior, retaining much of the Victorian façade and putting a hotel into the L shape around the interior courtyard known as Creed Court. Originally there were 3 layers of basements, but the rebuilding was for 2 basements, ground floor and 6 floors above. Permission was originally granted for 134 bedrooms, but a second planning application was put in to increase that to 148 bedrooms. The original planning consent had a spa and pool, but that was changed to a gym only and so a few bedrooms are in the basement, with a skylight into the courtyard. Building work started in June 2018 and finished 4 years later at a cost of Ł38 million.
Links
The main London hotel thread in this forum has some references to the delayed opening of this property.
In addition to the usual links on Hilton.com the hotel has a freestanding website here, and Facebook and Instagram accounts here.
https://lostpropertyhotel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lostpropertystpauls/
https://www.facebook.com/lostpropertystpauls/
The property developers and architects have websites here.
https://mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/db_proje...-court-london/
Public transport
There is no car park provision at this hotel. The nearest public transport options are
City Thameslink – 0.1 mile (not part of the main Underground network but it’s very close and has a frequent service. It also means this hotel is ideal for those travelling between Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports since this is almost at the intersection
Blackfriars – 0.3 mile Underground and rail stations. This station and St Pauls are the more realistic Tube options for tourists.
St. Pauls – 0.3 mile Underground
Mansion House – 0.4 mile Underground
Bank – 0.5 mile Underground, rail and DLR stations.
Farringdon – 0.7 mile Underground, rail and Elizabeth Line to Heathrow.
There are many bus services at the door of the hotel.
Dining
Found Restaurant – 07:00 to 22:00 hrs, 7 days a week. Menu on the hotel’s website.
Found Bar – Midday to midnight, 7 days a week. Serves bar snacks. The bar is part of the restaurant area and seems popular with guests. It has it’s own IPA on draught.
Tattle Coffeehouse – 07:00 to 15:00 hrs, 7 days a week.
Vicinity
The area around the hotel is very busy from Mondays to Fridays with the legal services industry drawing in the commuters during the day and into the evenings. At weekends the area is much quieter. Local pubs such as Ye Olde Englande and Albion are open and serving food on a Sunday evening and there are Tesco Metros open long hours in the area. St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the area and is one of London’s top tourist sights. The Tower of London is also nearby. The ancient back streets of the City of London have many hidden gems and at weekends you get them all to yourself.
Redemptions
The lowest rate for redemptions I can spot at the moment is 47,000 points per night. There are plenty of nights at standard rates. Sunday nights into Monday are usually the lowest redemption (and cash) rates.
This hotel is a new boutique style hotel, which opened in July 2022, located close to St Paul’s cathedral in the centre of London. There are 145 rooms over 12 room types from Queen Guest Room at 18m2 to King Junior Suite with View at 36m2.
Name
The name Lost Property is a marketing derivation. It came about from the concept of this property being lost or unknown, perhaps in terms of being a forgotten gem. Otherwise it’s a play on words for the usual term for someone’s mislaid possessions. The design of the hotel is influenced by the various concepts of being lost, so there are pictures of Tasman Tigers and Dodos for example.
Location
Ludgate Hill both a street and a mound that is one of the 3 hills that make up the city of London, though at a mere 17 metres above sea level it would only be noticed by a cyclist. It’s a street that connects Fleet Street to St. Paul’s Cathedral and was the centre of London’s printing and publishing industry. These were often operated via coffee houses, source of news and gossip, so the hotel’s coffeehouse Tattle is an acknowledgement of that.
Building history
The building dates from 1885, when it was used as a printing house. It’s not a historically important building in its own right and has in any case been frequently rebuilt and refurbished, up to 1990. In more recent years it has been an office block with retail premises on the ground floor. Costa had a coffee shop here but in the last years of the old building it was the home to a garish souvenir shop, which is indicative of an end of lease opportunity.
Rebuilding
The hotel is in a very sensitive spot being very close to St Paul’s Cathedral and on an important thoroughfare and line of sight. An unrelated development in Paternoster Square caused a lot of controversy and so any development work was going to get a lot of scrutiny. In 2017 permission was given to rebuild the building by gutting the interior, retaining much of the Victorian façade and putting a hotel into the L shape around the interior courtyard known as Creed Court. Originally there were 3 layers of basements, but the rebuilding was for 2 basements, ground floor and 6 floors above. Permission was originally granted for 134 bedrooms, but a second planning application was put in to increase that to 148 bedrooms. The original planning consent had a spa and pool, but that was changed to a gym only and so a few bedrooms are in the basement, with a skylight into the courtyard. Building work started in June 2018 and finished 4 years later at a cost of Ł38 million.
Links
The main London hotel thread in this forum has some references to the delayed opening of this property.
In addition to the usual links on Hilton.com the hotel has a freestanding website here, and Facebook and Instagram accounts here.
https://lostpropertyhotel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lostpropertystpauls/
https://www.facebook.com/lostpropertystpauls/
The property developers and architects have websites here.
https://mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/db_proje...-court-london/
Public transport
There is no car park provision at this hotel. The nearest public transport options are
City Thameslink – 0.1 mile (not part of the main Underground network but it’s very close and has a frequent service. It also means this hotel is ideal for those travelling between Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports since this is almost at the intersection
Blackfriars – 0.3 mile Underground and rail stations. This station and St Pauls are the more realistic Tube options for tourists.
St. Pauls – 0.3 mile Underground
Mansion House – 0.4 mile Underground
Bank – 0.5 mile Underground, rail and DLR stations.
Farringdon – 0.7 mile Underground, rail and Elizabeth Line to Heathrow.
There are many bus services at the door of the hotel.
Dining
Found Restaurant – 07:00 to 22:00 hrs, 7 days a week. Menu on the hotel’s website.
Found Bar – Midday to midnight, 7 days a week. Serves bar snacks. The bar is part of the restaurant area and seems popular with guests. It has it’s own IPA on draught.
Tattle Coffeehouse – 07:00 to 15:00 hrs, 7 days a week.
Vicinity
The area around the hotel is very busy from Mondays to Fridays with the legal services industry drawing in the commuters during the day and into the evenings. At weekends the area is much quieter. Local pubs such as Ye Olde Englande and Albion are open and serving food on a Sunday evening and there are Tesco Metros open long hours in the area. St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the area and is one of London’s top tourist sights. The Tower of London is also nearby. The ancient back streets of the City of London have many hidden gems and at weekends you get them all to yourself.
Redemptions
The lowest rate for redemptions I can spot at the moment is 47,000 points per night. There are plenty of nights at standard rates. Sunday nights into Monday are usually the lowest redemption (and cash) rates.
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,711
Visit report 9 October 20222
I had a one night stay Sunday into Monday at this hotel, my first visit.. It was relatively easy to find, I knew it was next to a McDonalds and the golden arches are impossible to miss. The hotel frontage is quite small so it would otherwise be easy to miss.
Reception and check-in was efficient – though the two people in front of me seemed to take a long time to be registered. In my case the relevant form just needed a few signatures and I was given my keycard and the usual directions about the hotel. I was also given a drinks voucher as a Diamond in lieu of lounge access. I used this at the bar for sparkling water and was invited to take a 90cl bottle away with me. The room key holder has a handy map of the hotel’s location.
Room: I booked the entry level King room, and was upgraded to King Superior (a slightly larger room) a few days behind. The OLCI options were in the Lower Ground (basement) which I wasn’t sure about, but at checkin I was given room 310. It should be said that all the rooms in this hotel are small, even the junior suites are on the tight side.
For one person, one night it was absolutely fine but if you don’t like cramped rooms this may be a concern. The room was well equipped to the Hilton standard in terms of fridge (with water in them already), safe, lounge, kettle, Nespresso and 3 capsules, bathroom robes.
Apart from the room size, the two downsides of the room was the inability to open the window and the table arrangement is sub-optimal to business travellers. The seat was actually quite comfortable but this is targeted at tourist couples rather than business travellers. The air conditioning was quiet and efficient. And the room was well sound proofed, I didn’t hear anything from outside or inside.
Bathroom was shower only (bath tubs in the junior suites apparently) and had top quality amenities. Toiletries were from Penhaglion Quercus range, which is as upscale as it gets.
Because there are 12 room types and under 150 bedrooms, this rather limits the upgrade options since there are only going to be a few rooms of any type on sale. So if you want the bigger rooms you best pay for them. Also note that “room with a view” basically means a room overlooking Ludgate Hill and St. Paul’s but the sight lines aren’t that good. Room without this label may be looking inwards to the courtyard, or to the narrow side streets.
Gym in the lower basement: Three running machines, one rowing machine, a Peloton, a multi weights cross trainer, free weights. It’s a medium sized, it didn’t look like it was that well used.
Breakfast: served 07:00 to 11:00 hrs was of a good quality throughout. There are two buffet areas and though there wasn’t a huge range of options, there were plenty of hot and continental options. The only thing curiously missing were croissants, but the other bread items were there in abundance. On order service were poached and fried eggs, vegan sausages and porridge. Espresso and related coffees were provided on request, otherwise it was a good quality filter coffee and tea pots. Good service from the service and a good experience all round.
Overall: not perfect by any means, with small rooms as the main downside, but pretty good overall. I would certainly stay again. It is best for couples seeking a zany boutique hotel vibe in a central location. The staff are clearly finding their feet, and I think encouraged to individualism, but were friendly and helpful. The location is excellent, the rooms are of good quality, as is the breakfast.
I had a one night stay Sunday into Monday at this hotel, my first visit.. It was relatively easy to find, I knew it was next to a McDonalds and the golden arches are impossible to miss. The hotel frontage is quite small so it would otherwise be easy to miss.
Reception and check-in was efficient – though the two people in front of me seemed to take a long time to be registered. In my case the relevant form just needed a few signatures and I was given my keycard and the usual directions about the hotel. I was also given a drinks voucher as a Diamond in lieu of lounge access. I used this at the bar for sparkling water and was invited to take a 90cl bottle away with me. The room key holder has a handy map of the hotel’s location.
Room: I booked the entry level King room, and was upgraded to King Superior (a slightly larger room) a few days behind. The OLCI options were in the Lower Ground (basement) which I wasn’t sure about, but at checkin I was given room 310. It should be said that all the rooms in this hotel are small, even the junior suites are on the tight side.
For one person, one night it was absolutely fine but if you don’t like cramped rooms this may be a concern. The room was well equipped to the Hilton standard in terms of fridge (with water in them already), safe, lounge, kettle, Nespresso and 3 capsules, bathroom robes.
Apart from the room size, the two downsides of the room was the inability to open the window and the table arrangement is sub-optimal to business travellers. The seat was actually quite comfortable but this is targeted at tourist couples rather than business travellers. The air conditioning was quiet and efficient. And the room was well sound proofed, I didn’t hear anything from outside or inside.
Bathroom was shower only (bath tubs in the junior suites apparently) and had top quality amenities. Toiletries were from Penhaglion Quercus range, which is as upscale as it gets.
Because there are 12 room types and under 150 bedrooms, this rather limits the upgrade options since there are only going to be a few rooms of any type on sale. So if you want the bigger rooms you best pay for them. Also note that “room with a view” basically means a room overlooking Ludgate Hill and St. Paul’s but the sight lines aren’t that good. Room without this label may be looking inwards to the courtyard, or to the narrow side streets.
Gym in the lower basement: Three running machines, one rowing machine, a Peloton, a multi weights cross trainer, free weights. It’s a medium sized, it didn’t look like it was that well used.
Breakfast: served 07:00 to 11:00 hrs was of a good quality throughout. There are two buffet areas and though there wasn’t a huge range of options, there were plenty of hot and continental options. The only thing curiously missing were croissants, but the other bread items were there in abundance. On order service were poached and fried eggs, vegan sausages and porridge. Espresso and related coffees were provided on request, otherwise it was a good quality filter coffee and tea pots. Good service from the service and a good experience all round.
Overall: not perfect by any means, with small rooms as the main downside, but pretty good overall. I would certainly stay again. It is best for couples seeking a zany boutique hotel vibe in a central location. The staff are clearly finding their feet, and I think encouraged to individualism, but were friendly and helpful. The location is excellent, the rooms are of good quality, as is the breakfast.
#6
formerly OliverS
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 405
I stayed there in April and was quite happy. Paid with points and was given one of the nicest rooms they had with a view of the cathedral.
Very small but nicely furnished rooms, still quite new obviously.
No lounge, but a welcome drink at the bar, which took way too long to arrive.
Otherwise, not much to report on. Not one of the great luxury hotels of this world and your experience will be impacted by what you pay for it, but seeing how difficult the London hotel market can be, a good option while it is still new and clean!
Very small but nicely furnished rooms, still quite new obviously.
No lounge, but a welcome drink at the bar, which took way too long to arrive.
Otherwise, not much to report on. Not one of the great luxury hotels of this world and your experience will be impacted by what you pay for it, but seeing how difficult the London hotel market can be, a good option while it is still new and clean!
#7
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: HH D
Posts: 1,635
From a 'grim' room to 'awful' live music: The Mail's hotel inspector gives this Hilton property in London a one-star review... | Daily Mail Online
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,381
Apparently many of the rooms in this hotel ether have a frosted window you can't see out of, or no window at all, which seems crazy.
Also, the daily mail article mentions rooms on the basement level....gosh, that sounds really bad, but would explain why some rooms have no window.
Also, the daily mail article mentions rooms on the basement level....gosh, that sounds really bad, but would explain why some rooms have no window.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK - BHD
Programs: BMI Diamond Club refugee: BA-Br; HH-D
Posts: 912
I stayed there in April and was quite happy. Paid with points and was given one of the nicest rooms they had with a view of the cathedral.
Very small but nicely furnished rooms, still quite new obviously.
No lounge, but a welcome drink at the bar, which took way too long to arrive.
Otherwise, not much to report on. Not one of the great luxury hotels of this world and your experience will be impacted by what you pay for it, but seeing how difficult the London hotel market can be, a good option while it is still new and clean!
Very small but nicely furnished rooms, still quite new obviously.
No lounge, but a welcome drink at the bar, which took way too long to arrive.
Otherwise, not much to report on. Not one of the great luxury hotels of this world and your experience will be impacted by what you pay for it, but seeing how difficult the London hotel market can be, a good option while it is still new and clean!
Also given a voucher for a drink. The breakfast in the restaurant was on a more limited scale than in other hotels but everything was good quality and espresso-based coffee flowed freely.
The gym in the basement was pretty good but when staying here it is important to buy into the concept of a small luxury property with limited public space right in the centre of everything by St Paul's. Anyone travelling here expecting a different product would indeed be disappointed... not helped by the prices being so high most of the time these days!
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,539
Sounds 'xactly like the review from that Daily Mail geezer a couple of days ago.
From a 'grim' room to 'awful' live music: The Mail's hotel inspector gives this Hilton property in London a one-star review... | Daily Mail Online
From a 'grim' room to 'awful' live music: The Mail's hotel inspector gives this Hilton property in London a one-star review... | Daily Mail Online