HadesNL

Let's say it is not that surprising as they really seem to make a sharp distinction between unrenovated and Mayfair Collection rooms

Happy to monetize that for almost a decade by now ...

HadesNL

Far from being a slave to clicks and drama,

Yet the infamous shower curtain debate has struck again.....

Don't get any idea of the Bates Motel in Psycho but at exactly at 2.22 - 2.23 LL provides us with evidence

ee ee ee ee [music] showercurtain


Besides that fact of indeed the notorius appearance of the showercurtain,

What strikes me as odd that room #242 is a KING Premium ( unrenovated )

I was led to believe that all lower floors are Mayfair Collection thus renovated
Yet i also spotted from the video that the common hallway on the second floor still has the unrenovated design

And being as investigative as nicolas75 the video seems recent as of summer (trees in bloom) as it has the Byredo brand standard deployed in the bathroom.

I am just confused about this hotel .....
Well,
as Jessica Fletcher this detail struck me as so odd,
that i've booked a January stay to do some investigating and to get some closure on the matter
i am personally going on each floor to check the carpet to see what floors are renovated.
And as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler: "i need to have closure !"

i was aiming for a tour des chambres but within room catagory are so many different layouts ...
for example, LL 's premium room is totally different than Nicolas his premium room

The mystery continues !

HadesNL

2 recent videos of this sumner and autumn 2023
showcasing the Dr, Jeckll and Mr, Hyde personality of the rooms


The older unrenovated design


video can be seen on youtube
Just avert your gaze at 1.50, quickly !


The new "Mayfair Collection Floor" renovated design

difference is just like night & day
and these videos should serve as an informative reminder for those in doubt what to book and if one's preference can be matched with one's expectations to avoid disappointment

janwillem

Not a regular guest at all, just a few observations as a first time visitor, Diamond Ambassador, 2 nights:

- Breakfast truly excellent in terms of comfort, food quality and service. Took it as Diamond amenity and paid 28 GBP extra for my son/3rd guest. Money well spent.
- We had a non-Mayfair room and I have never seen Mayfair rooms. All I can say is that the 'old' rooms are well kept en well presented (Premium Park View). Would not hesitate to book again. I do find that the entrance part of the room is tight (bathroom, entryway and clothes closet).
- 5% service charge was added. I asked whether it was a compulsory charge. They said no and I asked to take it off. No fuss. I said that the service was fine but I do not 'tip' a hotel.
- Good gym.

Mora

Has anybody yet tried to use an Suite Upgrade for a Rewards Stay and give an update on what is in the upgrade pool?

HadesNL

AndyUK101 on the HfP forums reports the upgrade pool in their case
from cosy on points:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums...le-on-rewards/
Options offered were
– Premium park view,
- King Classic Mayfair floor
- Junior Suite – Junior suite was the best value, around Ł225 per night of ‘value’ from the voucher

compared to what he/she normal upselled
from points booking
usually offered
Ł65pn for the park view,
Ł120pn for the mayfair room
or Ł250ish for a junior suite

*
to be honest this hotel is very seasonal in pricing!

**
by own the experience the upsell is around Ł100 to upgrade award cosy to Mayfair cosy

tvsfrank

Presumably the 95 extra charge for lounge guests is per night, not per stay right? Any idea if they charge for kids? Obviously kids don't drink alcohol, so I would hope they would either charge less or just let them in.

HadesNL

Yes Ł 95 is per extra guest per day as visit to access + F&B (all 3 presentations)

I actually have no idea about kids, best to send them an email to ask about possibility of discounts

Mora

Thank you very much Hades! That helps a lot.

For a trip in December I currently got a rewards reservations at the Kimpton and the ICPL. While I prefer the Kimpton Fitzroy as a hotel the ICPL is much more convenient location wise for this trip. But I really, really don't want to stay in one of the old rooms.

Viennafly

Had a quite pleasant 1 night stay on points (120k, cash rates were starting 575 GBP already months in advance and going up since then). Took the Piccadilly line from LHR which worked very well and was faster then Heathrow Express+tube or taxi from Paddington. Arrived shortly before noon and could checkin to King Classic room (upgraded from King Cosy immediately after booking). Also late checkout was granted without discussion (as it should be). Took breakfast as Diamond amenity. Also received welcome points and a drink voucher. As AMB amenity, a box with chocolates was delivered to my room. Room was relatively small but sufficient for my stay, no noise from street or hallways or other rooms, bathroom with shower curtain is a bit outdated (as discussed above). Breakfast has a buffet with good variety of quite high quality items plus one can order one hot item from the menu. Was told that specialty coffees (cappuccino, flat white, latte etc) are not included, but I anyway was not billed for my two flat whites.

HadesNL

I fully understand your aversion of old junk,
nicolas75 will kick my shins under the table if i even try to promote the unrenovated rooms....
Let alone the showercurtain controversy ....

The only way to avoid the old rooms is
by paying the upsell to Mayfair ŕ Ł100
OR
to use a CSU
- Mayfair seems to be offered but only seems to max out to Mayfair classic / premium / YMMV seasonally
- if happy with unrenovated, the CSU can however strech out to premium room / jr suite onwards
* between Scylla & Charbadis : renovated smaller or unrenovated larger for a CSU, to be or not to be, c'est le question!

daruda

curious for an upcoming ambassador weekend.
Room now shows upgrade to king classic.

Will try CSU, but guess it will not yet work on AMB weekend.
Really would like to have mayfair room without paying extra

HadesNL

If it doesn't reflect "Mayfair" than you are stuck with the unrenovated lot.

I believe CSU on BOGO is still excluded:
Confirmable Suite Upgrades cannot be used with the following rate types: Group rates, package tour or convention where charges are being paid by a third party. Free Night or Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night (eligible at a future date)
https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/cu...le%20and%20OTA

Mora

I got an CSU that expires in Febuary anyway so I will try to utilize it for this trip. I hope that anything Mayfair will be in the upgrade pool - I really don't mind a smaller room as long as it is renovated. Will report back at the end of the week.

Mora

Little update: In my rewards night upgrade pool for my stay mid December was the following: King Junior Suite, King Junior Suite Mayfair Floor and 1 Bedroom Suite.
I did of course chose the 1 King Junior Suite Mayfair Floor.
Applying the CSU via the Diamond Hotline was easy and done in less than 3 minutes. I am pleasantly surprised and very happy about this use of my CSU.