Hyatt Regency London the Churchill REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 

First off, can I just say, "Fabulous!" I mean Fabulous! Top to bottom, this place did it right...

Okay, Jeff took a vacation day on Friday. We left here early (7AM Dusseldorf time, arriving 7 London time ...) We got to the Hyatt at 8somethingAM... Our room ... on the regency club floor ... was ready for us to check in. How fab was that!!!

They saw Nick and asked if we needed a crib? (it was in our reservation, but as long as they took care of it...) Plus they sent up a full bottle of Shampoo and a full bottle of baby powder for him...

We checked into room 830. Nice, but not big. It was nice. Period. Enough said. Bed nice. Bathroom nice. Nothing incredible, but new and nice and great...

The club was FABULOUS in our opinion...

INCREDIBLE SERVICE! Tatiana is FABULOUS. We did not meet her husband, but he works downstairs... Richard and Rodrigo bent over backward to do everything for Nick. They continued to drag the high chair in and out. They scrubbed it clean. There were a number of sets of families with kids.

We received a diamond amenity without asking ... two LARGE bottles of water and a bottle of red.

It was FABULOUS...

Nice food ...

Breakfast:
Great bread for toast
other bread for toast
strudels
chocolate croissants (okay...)
fruit salad
incredible straw berries
cold cuts
fruit
yogurt
cereal
cucumbers
peppers
tomatos
tea
coffee
yummy oj

During the day:
yummy cookies

Evening:
Champagne (Mercier --- by Moet and Chandon)
Red
White
Mixed Drinks
Beer (Carlsburg)
Chocolate covered strawberried
Chocolate covered orange fruit
pralines
Tomato and Mozzarela appetizer
Other pate
Other appetizers that varied by day
cut up vegetables (celery, carrots, cucumber, peppers)

All day long: (6AM - 11PM):
soda
water with bubbles
water without bubbles
beer

It was a nice location. Easy to walk around with the Bugaboo...

Nick was not too happy with the first crib and they brought up a different one. That has never happened (that Nick has not instantly fallen asleep!) They were fabulous...

Top to Bottom ... FABULOUS!!!

And as a bonus...on our Eurowings flight home (we were supposed to be on a full service LH flight, but after 3 hours they brought in a EW plane ...)

Gisele Bundchen and Leonardo Dicaprio were sitting next to us!!!

I will check the brand for you at 6pm today. :)

As I was upgraded to RC room (on the 8th floor), my access to the lounge was no problem. Interesting though, I received this message from the Reservation prior to check-in..."If is available at check in time, you will get an
upgrade to a Regency Club room. If not available you have acess to the Regency Club lounge and an upgrade to the next best available room." :cool:

Not to mention, if the hotel decides to extend the lounge invitation to Diamond members on non-RC floor even after 9/1, that is no problem for us. :D

Marriott Park Lane has been my choice of hotel in London, but this Churchill might be a new winner. Although Marriott has way better gym and swimming pool. RC concierge said they allow diamond members 2pm (or 3 at the latest) check-out.

Churchill staff was fantastic. Taller half told Gitta on the front desk that she should transfer to the PH Vendome and give them lessons in guest relations. :)

Even Taller half said that she would stay there again and she's quite partial to the Royal Horseguards.

lala

Stayed for 4 nights over UK August Bank Holiday weekend.

No problem with Diamond upgrade to RC level. I produced my suite upgrade cert and RC concierge said that I could use it, but the available suite was not yet ready for occupancy. I was prepared to wait, however, she suggested that I occupy the original room and move once it was ready -- now that is service!

Overall my son and I had an excellent experience.

In 2005, the hotel will probably be given the funds to refurbish. It does need some work, but the employees more than make up for any frayed carpet!

Great location, close to Marks & Spencers and Selfridges food halls

post office across portman square was a plus for us on this trip!

lala

Brilliant Diamond treatment here! I am currently in the hotel, and have been upgraded to a suite for the second time in a week on FFNs. The first time last week, they accomodated us with a 2 bedroom suite for a total "cost" of one FFN. And no problem checking in at 9 AM. Club access was provided without question, as well as the amenity. (BTW, it seems that you could use the club anyway, as no key is required, and nobody asks for your room number.)

But $50 for parking (no in and out) and $40 fish and chips for two (outside of the hotel) reminds me that the class system is still enforced here with economics. (One order of fish and chips via room service is $42!!!)

Great to hear Diamonds are still treated well at this property!! I'll be there this Sat (capping my double EQM for 1K at UA + my final # 25 STAY at Hyatt for '05 Diamond status + my 3rd FFN for current promo :D --not to mention this stay will be on the 'old' FFN promo (graciously extended by GP). And while I've never received a suite, a nice room on the RC floor close to the lounge suits me just fine for my one night quasi Hyatt/UA run :cool:

Hyatt London did not dissappoint!
 

I stayed this past Sat night at the Hyatt Churchill on a FFN. . I arrived at the hotel around 9:30 am and immediately went to the front desk on the main floor with the assumption I was not going to get an RC room. (The day before I left I checked Hyatt's website, and it appeared the hotel was sold out-- so I was prepared to NOT get an RC room). They told me unfortunately my room wasn't ready---but the good news was that I was upgraded to a suite!! (I still thought no RC for me). I left my luggage and walked over to Bond street to do some shopping. I arrrived back to the hotel around 12:30 and was given my room key (Room 934), a suite on the RC Floor :) . Here are some pics:
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=xcyf847...j&x=0&y=a97em3

So not only during a sold out period, but on a free night, Hyatt Churchill knows how to treat Diamonds! After a quick drink in the bar (9gbp) and a calling card phone call home (1.5gbp)-- my total bill (on my MasterCard, of course--for an ongoing FFN) came to a whopping 10.5 gbp or US$21 :D

I have leaned away from this hotel after staying at the property in 11/03 when it was still an Intercontinental, because I had perhaps the worst mattress ever in any hotel, period. I have some back problems and I really need good support. Can any of you who have stayed there comment on the mattresses - did they seem new? are they properly firm / not sagging? I am wondering if Hyatt replaced them on taking over.

Thanks for this info on the Churchill! I loved the Carlton Tower when it was a Hyatt and ALWAYS stayed there when I was in London. Have been using Marriott since Hyatt lost CT. Now I've just booked 3 nights next month at the Churchill and am interested after reading all of these great comments about the property and the staff.

The staff ALWAYS seems to make or break a property. Example, Hyatt Waikiki. The Staff, especially the RC staff, make the property special.

I'll give my report back once I've returned from my trip in mid February.

Thanks

Last time I was there, the bed were standard Hyatt bed, IIRC.

I'm in the hotel now and the room I am in (as a Diamond, I was upgraded to a nice suite) has clearly been remodeled recently. About the only things they didn't do are upgrade the shower or add extra electric plugs convenient to the desk. They provided an extension cord when I asked but there really should be one automatically provided in each room.

I would definitely stay here again, but peeping into the regular rooms, they look rather smallish. So it's correct to brand this hotel as a HR, rather than a GH or PH.

Parking is a major problem but it is going to be a major problem anywhere close to Oxford St. At least they have a parking lot underneath, although it doesn't seem to be run by the hotel. And yes, the posted sign does say GBP25 a day with no mention of in-and-out privileges for guests.

The hotel is a few blocks inside the congestion charging area, so if you arrive or leave during the day M-F, you will have to pay that fee too.

Looks like everyone gets upgraded to a suite on FFNs but me. Normally I would never even bother to ask with FFNs, but I'd read here it was a common occurrence so I sent an e-mail prior to my stay the end of Sept. Mentioned that it was my mother's 74th birthday, and I even offered to use my Diamond suite upgrade cert. Received a reply that they would upgrade us. When we arrived they absolutely wouldn't do it--said not on FFNs. I had the cert but not the e-mail or name of the person who confirmed. This was the last stop at the end of a 21-day marathon trip through Europe, so I didn't press the issue since by that point I was exhausted. Received a room on the RC floor with 2 very comfortable twin beds and view of trees in the park across the street. Room was nice enough and big enough for 2--like they say, we weren't in the room much anyway. Nice RC and very helpful staff. Also, paid for a 60-minute card for internet access on their computers in the lobby. For some reason, the time never got deducted each time I used it, so I considered that a perk. My mother enjoyed the fruit basket--especially that hairy looking fruit from Thailand.

I didn't ask, but I also wasn't on FFNs, it was a paid stay.
They don't seem to have many suites, maybe only 2-3 per floor, at the ends of the hallway that's in front of you when you come off the elevator. So there aren't that many to upgrade to in the first place.

Just returned from a UK/France trip including a 5 night stay (Regency Club King) at the Churchill. The RC concierge informed me the hotel was still part way through a renovation, but despite this it remains a good quality hotel, seemingly orientated toward business travellers. Friendly and warm service experienced in every encounter with staff, and very efficient housekeeping. (Leaving my room at 4pm, returning at 6 to find room made up and amenities restocked.)
Most cab drivers aren't aware of it's new moniker, so refer to it as the Churchill on Portman Sq. and you'll be fine.

I had two short stays this weekend. I can not tell you how much I appreciated the Regency Club staff. They refrigerated Taller Half's cheeses before my my late afternoon flight. They even have decent coffee in their machine, hard to find with those new fangled cappucino machines.

The rooms I had were either spacious or if not, still comfortable. The beds are fabulous.


I look forward to my stays in February and March.

lala

Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, some experience...
 

I have stayed recently in Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill. I used 18,000 points for a Regency Club Room, which I found pretty nice. Located on the 9th floor, no noise. Excellent breakfast on the Club floor. What really was dissappointing, is the timing to check-in and check-out. :td: Only couple of guys at a reception and waiting times are awefull. Otherwise, Hyatt in London is nice. Great location, few steps from the Oxford Street and Marble Arch. :-: Though, the best in this hotel are the beds (at least in a Regency Club Room). Excellent :)

You can check out and in with the regency club concierges, so that should make things faster.

and welcome :)

I recently stayed at the Churchill as well. Overall, a pleasant experience.
The RC water and fruit in the room was great, especially when they replinished it after a few days.

I agree about the front desk issue. If you haven't been to the hotel before you don't know that the man behind the desk to the right is the concierge (no sign) and the others are either working with customers or busy looking at their computer screens.

Also, an earlier thread shared how 'wonderful' the RC staff was. Well, they were polite and did their jobs but I found them rather cool and standoffish. If I had an inquiry, they would answer it but I always felt they acted rather put out by my asking a question regarding anything from a direction to a church schedule.
(Example: They have Wigmore Hall brochures in the RC. After reviewing it, I was interested in perhaps attending a performance. When I asked the concierge 'where Wigmore Hall was and was it far from the hotel?' The response I received was " It's on Wigmore Street". I had to ask several specific questions to get to the fact that 'Wigmore Hall is on Wigmore Street which is the street that borders Portman Square on the south. The hall is a few blocks to the east". A good concierge would have give more complete information based on the initial inquiry.)

I still miss The Carlton Tower!!!!! :(

I have stayed there several times, always on points or FFNs. Note, if you are a DIamond, never use 18k for RC, use 15K, they will always upgrade you.

Check-out is very slow in the lobby. RC staff are not always present on the 8th floor. I have always had to check-out in the lobby. Doorman never helps with bags, and I have had to get my own taxi many times.

However, the beds are great (but I really wish they would get regular duvets, they wrap two sheets around a duvet, and use the two sheets as the cover, it can get messy at times.

the diamond amenity is water (2 bottles, a bottle of red (cheap) wine and fruit. I have only recevie the amenity (and I really did not care) about 50% of the time. If you arrive early and take a nap with the do not disturb sign onthe door, they will not leave it and they never will come back with it.

Plus, always given early check-in, always upgraded, good beds and excellent location. ALso never had a problem getting pointor FFN av ailability. Hotel will unblock rooms if you send them an e-mail.

I still maintain for points it is worth every point. I would never pay my money to stay there, rates are to high, especially given the competition. (check out the Marriott Park Lane-simply amazing at the same Hyatt rates,ifyou e-mail them and ask them to match Hyatt.com rate, they will.)

Just back.....

As Diamond, assigned to an 8th floor Regency Club room using FFN, even though the hotel mixed up the dates on my arrival.

Quite satisfied with the evening (6-8 pm) and morning (7-11 am) spreads in the Regency Club. Not so fab in the mid-afternoon: cookies and apples only, plus coffee/tea and a number of soft drinks and juices.

Satisfied with the Diamond amenity: full bottle wine (albeit very recent 2003 Cab), extensive fruit, full bottles of both still and sparkling water (also available in lounge).

The staff in RC and elsewhere in Britain can be goofy. It's just part of the culture, as immortalized by John Cleese in his onetime "Fawlty Towers" TV show. And those guys/gals may not be trained to be full concierges - the guy downstairs might - underline, might - be better.

Churchill Changes
 

I stayed at the Churchill several times when it was Intercontinental - and liked it. I felt the location was good and the neighborhood fairly nice and quiet. The last time I was in London - I walked from the main entrance through the lounge and out the side door to get a sense of any changes Hyatt has made since they took over. Obviously, I didn't check out the rooms - but has anyone noticed any significant changes since the change of ownership? The rooms were always comfortable but not overly luxurious by any measure. Just curious about whether the hotel is due for a major renovation - or whether that's happening?

internet?
 

hi - is there wireless internet at or near this property?

how much is it?

and how much do they charge for local calls ? and are they timed?

i have two nights coming up there next w/end.

I am in London at the Churchill right now. Internet is available in room for 6 pounds/hour and 15 pounds for 24 hours. There is net in the lobby but I am sot sure of the cost. They do charge for phone calls and they are timed. Seems real high.
Staying with points and FFN this wekend and used FFN for two nights last weekend. Last weekend received the RC floor and service in room was suberb. This weekend they said no RC rooms on Thurs. or Fri. and was given non RC room. There is a significant diffeerence (water and fruit not replaced, no chocolates with turndown, etc.) They apologized and gave breakfast cert for one morning. RC is very nice and I may "sneak up" anyway. Enjoy your trip.

You shouldn't have any problem in 'sneaking up' to the RC, it is just to the right as you get off the elevators. I'll be back at the Churchill in late May--where I'm paying a discounted 166 rate for 2 nites and was able to get Hyatt to extend the time period on my FFN for one night. I've always been able to get an RC room, and last time I was given a suite, while on a full FFN stay. Hope I get as lucky this time around ;)

I stayed at this hotel on a FFN this last week.

As a Diamond, we were treated excellently. The RC in this property is, IMHO, the best of any Hyatt we've visited. Rooms were nice, and the service gracious.

The rates seem quite steep - I'll be staying here again but I think I'll but some Elite stay certs!

Just a word of warning if you have a car. I stayed here last November with a car, and the hotel is either within or very near the "restricted" zone where you need a special sticker to drive. I only .found out when Hert sent me four tickets at about $170 each last week

Location
 

Can anybody tell me how far this property is from the theater district and Trafalgar Square?
And what means of access/transportation there are.
I am thinking of canceling my reservation at the Trafalgar Hotel and rebooking all of my nights at the Hyatt based on the mostly positive reviews.
Thanks to all in advance.

The hotel is roughly one block north of Oxford and Park Lane, or Marble Arch, if that landmark serves you better. I lived a block from there for my two years in London. There is frequent bus service down Oxford Street to Picadilly and beyond.

However, as a theatre junkie, I do prefer staying in the Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden area. There are better restaurants and more sightseeing. Oxford Street is a bit tatty IMO.

Agree !!
 

Thank You so much for your helpful post/ asssitance.
I too wish to stay in the Trafalgar Square ,Covent Garden area but after the raves on the Hyatt there I am thinking of going with Hyatt and rebooking my whole stay there....... I used to stay at 47 Park when Westin managed it (Now Marriott)years ago so I do know Oxford Street.
Is the bus cool enough during the summer or is it a people steamer ?

The bus has always been very comfortable when I've taken it - and I go by bus rather than tube in general to go around central London.

It is appreciated
 

What would you say is the approx time to the Covent Garden area ?

I can walk it in 30 minutes. By bus, it is about 15-20 minutes. That part of London is sufficiently congested, a bus will get you there almost as fast as a taxi.

Whether you walk or take the bus, you go down Oxford, then down Regent to Piccadilly - and from there can walk to the theatres on Shaftesbury or Leicester Square. The same bus will go on to Trafalgar Square and the Strand, if your theatre is in that area.

Sounds like it may be quicker to walk then wait for the bus or pay for a taxi that could be more then the room in that traffic :)
Thanks again for the heads up Cheers

I was there last weel for 3 nights on FFN. The rooms at club floors were fully booked, so I was given a deluxe room with a view (park) on the 6th floor. Not much of a view, really and the room is very tired looking (I was told renovation on guestrooms will start late this year). Access to lounge was given.

The sucky thing about being on the non club floors is that no amenities is given. I receive neither a fruit platter nor wine - and I can not stand the very colorful toilettries they give in non-club floors. What also sucks is they replace the Molton Brown toilettries in the health club with the rather yucky smelling toilettries from the regular rooms.

But thankfully weather in London was GLORIOUS last week.

There've been some fairly colorful bottles of tolietries in my club floor rooms on my last two stays, so I suspect private labelization has arrived there in full force.
On the bus issue discussed above, the nearest bus stop on Oxford Street is served by one bus that ends its route at Piccadilly Circus, and two more that stop there and continue on to (or beyond) Trafalgar Square and Aldwych, so service is very frequent. On a busy Saturday afternoon, however, it could take a good 20 minutes JUST to get to Oxford Circus, so if you're in a hurry, it may not be for you.
As for comparisons with Covent Garden, Oxford Street is also a busy area (much less so at night), and doesn't generally get the hordes of drinkers in the street. I think it's a bit rundown. Portman Square itself is very quiet, and if you like to go eat late, there are not a lot of good choices in the area.
For the poster who's booked at the Trafalgar, I assume that's the newish Hilton, which I haven't stayed at, but have been shown. They are VERY different from each other. The Hilton's kind of self-consciously modern and somewhat hip; standard rooms are small and minimalist. The Churchill's kind of a dowager--a bit dowdy and staid, with a large Middle Eastern clientele. I've only stayed on the club floor, but I'm guessing my rooms there (which have generally not been very big) were standard size, which would make them bigger than the Hilton's. I don't like the concierges on the main floor, and as has been previously noted, checkout downstairs can be a zoo.

Thank goodness. A Hyatt that cares.
 

We are off to London at the end of April 2005 for my wife's B'Day on FFNs. I was so pleased to see a post like this. This after just having done the dance with the front office at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. We are in on BA in F so this should make us 100% plus happy. Thanks all for the posts. Regards

Stayed at the Churchill a few weekends ago. Got a nice room on the 8th floor. RC club was full and attendant offered coupons for breakfast downstairs but she let us eat in the boardroom. Took taxis everywhere as the Central line was out of order...The weather was beautiful that weekend. The staff was very nice even the checkout staff downstairs...

hyatt london churchill
 

stayed there a couple of days ago.

was upgraded to the 9th floor, all rooms facing the street are suites, with the rooms facing the back of the building are usual rooms. I got a ususal room, facing the queens suite or something (it looked onto the balcony of that suite) with a slight view.

hotel is pretty nice and great value on a FFN (which I was on). Toiletries were nice, room was tight but OK. Queen size (or king?) bed, workdesk, as a diamond I received a bottle of 03 french red wine, and a bowl with 2 bannanas, red grapes, green grapes, an apple, and a plum, a plate, napkin and knife. Was nice.

Bathroom was nothing flash, but had marble. 2 new pairs of slippers and robes in the wardrobe. Internet is 15 pounds per 24 hour period (not 12-12, but any 24 hours). Gym is nice, renovated with a large plasma screen about 42", 3 joggers, a bike, stepper, weights up to 10kg each, weight machines. There are free bannanas and apples and chilled water.

Hotel location is as stated about 1 1/2 blocks away from Oxford St, closest station is Marble Arch which is a 5min walk.

Would suggest if you want internet, to sign up for a tmobile wireless in the US, ie - any united lounge you can set it up before you leave for US$39.99 for 1 month (not a contract, recurring), and you can roam free at any BT Openzone. The mcdonalds just next to Marble Arch station has wireless internet and plenty of space with a bt openzone - so you can use it there if you've subscribed - was great, excellent coverage. you can also use it at most starbucks around london and various other places (ie most hilton lobbies also have access).

It's close to the shops of oxford st (if you like the crowds and shopping). It is about a 15 min underground ride to Piccadily. Isn't great for theatre in terms of location but it isn't far. It's in a nice relaxing location away from the hustle of oxford st. if you get a good rate compared to others, definitely worth a stay here, esp if diamond.

If you prefer piccadily/trafalger square - I would suggest, whilst it's not a hyatt, the Le Meridien Piccadily - it's a solid 4 - 4.5* property literraly around the corner from piccadilly circus. It has huge roman pillars outside the entrance, and Le Meridien Moments has their own "faster free nights". http://www.lemeridien.com/visa - pay with visa and for 2 stays, you'll get 1 free weekend night (basically 1,000 moments points). You'll earn about 1,150 moments points for 2 paid stays there. A weekend at the Le Meridien Piccadily is 1,600, a weekday is 1,800 on redmeption. But the Le Meridien gatwick is only 800 on a weekend (fri/sat/sun) and 1000 on a weekday. But for 2 stays there, you could redeem at either the le meridien chicago, LA or Miami for 1,200 on a weekend - which would be enough or 1000 for the le meridien toronto or only 600 at the le meridien singapore - which is basically 1 stay at the le meridien piccadily = 1 free night at the le meridien singapore on orchard rd, free.

the lounge is nice, cold cuts, pastries (muffins, croissants, etc), yoghurts (nice french ones), bircher muesli, ham, turkey, smoked fish, pepperoni, devon, heaps of fresh fruits cut - passionfruit, kiwi, cantalope, oranges, etc. choice of drinks, cerals, toast.

Evening - unfortunately I missed, but they serve also then. Didn't check during the day. Lobby is nice and the bell boy/door men are great, never had to open the door when i entered once - and I dress casual / unswish :)

Enjoy the hotel, it's great. Even better on a FFN. Bring back FFN in April!! I have 7 nights I'm holding off on booking !

Can someone please comment on transport from LHR?
 

We are kinda conservative so I would appreciate comments on transport from LHR to Hotel. Heathrow Express or prefer tube. Thanks