London Crowne Plaza Kings Cross vs Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
Feb 18, 2019, 9:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6
London Crowne Plaza Kings Cross vs Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
Choosing between these two for a four night stay with wife and 2 children (ages 5 and 4). Proximity to St. Pancras is about the same. I confirmed with CP that all 4 of us will have access to the Club Lounge with my Spire status. These will get us breakfast and happy hour drinks. But the HI Bloomsbury seems like a much better neighborhood. Any thoughts people have are encouraged. The Club Lounge access has me leaning toward but the CP but the area is the downside.
Feb 18, 2019, 10:39 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Aadvantage
Posts: 49
The London Crowne Plaza Kings Cross is indeed in the middle of nowhere. I stayed there once and thought it was a bit too far from the nearest subway station. The HI Bloomsbury is close to other subway stations (e.g. Russel Square) which could be useful to cut down walking with a family.
Given you're interested in the lounge, I'd weigh that up against location. If you could get breakfast every day for free that might be a good reason to go with CP!
Given you're interested in the lounge, I'd weigh that up against location. If you could get breakfast every day for free that might be a good reason to go with CP!
Feb 18, 2019, 2:00 pm
#4
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Also consider the room size. The CP has decent room sizes with sofa bed the HI has quite small rooms. I have never stayed at the HI but have stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy very close by.
I stay regularly at the CP and would say that nearby Exmouth market is a better place to go out to eat and drink than the Bloomsbury neighbourhood. Whilst you don’t have close connection to public transport at the CP it is great for uber coverage and an uber for 4 will almost always be cheaper than public transport for any reasonable rides.
The breakfast at the CP lounge is rubbish on the whole and you get no credit towards a restaurant breakfast you need to pay full price. Evening drinks is a great experience with a decent drink and food selection but isn’t the place for young children especially not when I am there.
Are you planning to share a room for all 4? I think both properties rooms are far too small for that.
I stay regularly at the CP and would say that nearby Exmouth market is a better place to go out to eat and drink than the Bloomsbury neighbourhood. Whilst you don’t have close connection to public transport at the CP it is great for uber coverage and an uber for 4 will almost always be cheaper than public transport for any reasonable rides.
The breakfast at the CP lounge is rubbish on the whole and you get no credit towards a restaurant breakfast you need to pay full price. Evening drinks is a great experience with a decent drink and food selection but isn’t the place for young children especially not when I am there.
Are you planning to share a room for all 4? I think both properties rooms are far too small for that.
Feb 18, 2019, 2:39 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6
Thanks for input. I had considered room size as pro for the CP and I appreciate the confirmation. The room we are considering has two double beds not a sofa bed. From what I can see this is the largest room available to book for four people in London using my IHG points. I have heard mixed reviews on the Club Lounge breakfast but would you consider it adequate enough to avoid dining out yet another meal with our small children? Lastly, if not child-friendly, my wife and I can alternate drinks at the Lounge.
Feb 18, 2019, 5:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Programs: HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott nobody
Posts: 470
Have you considered Crowne Plaza Blackfriars? It has family rooms with two double beds, club lounge and is one block from the Blackfriars tube station.
Family Rooms | Bedrooms | The Crowne Plaza London - The City Hotel
Family Rooms | Bedrooms | The Crowne Plaza London - The City Hotel
Feb 18, 2019, 5:57 pm
#7
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Breakfast at the CP KX consists of cereal, toast, some fairly poor pastries and cold selection of cheese and meats. I find it depressing on my 2 day stays. WHilst the CP Blackfriars has a much better lounge breakfast other aspects of the property are not worth the cost hike.
Feb 18, 2019, 8:19 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6
There are very limited options as far as rooms available with points that can accommodate four people. There are some HIE’s but I try to avoid them for leisure travel. Blackfriars isn’t available with points. The CL KX breakfast does sound depressing but maybe good enough.
Feb 20, 2019, 11:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2017
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If you do book the CP Kings Cross, then when you check in, ask if they have any offers on the restaurant breakfast. I have done this quite a few times and got Ł5.00 off the breakfast cost, albeit once or twice I have been declined. There are, however, a few places within a minute or two's walk which do an acceptable breakfast alternative.
Although it is a fair walk to the nearest tube station, the 63 bus stops about 1 minutes’ walk from the hotel. This can get you to Kings Cross/St Pancras stations in a few minutes from where you can join numerous tube lines, Thameslink, other bus routes etc.
In a straight choice between the KX CP and HI Bloomsbury, the CP wins hands down in my book.
Although it is a fair walk to the nearest tube station, the 63 bus stops about 1 minutes’ walk from the hotel. This can get you to Kings Cross/St Pancras stations in a few minutes from where you can join numerous tube lines, Thameslink, other bus routes etc.
In a straight choice between the KX CP and HI Bloomsbury, the CP wins hands down in my book.
Feb 21, 2019, 2:13 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
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If you do book the CP Kings Cross, then when you check in, ask if they have any offers on the restaurant breakfast. I have done this quite a few times and got Ł5.00 off the breakfast cost, albeit once or twice I have been declined. There are, however, a few places within a minute or two's walk which do an acceptable breakfast alternative.
Although it is a fair walk to the nearest tube station, the 63 bus stops about 1 minutes’ walk from the hotel. This can get you to Kings Cross/St Pancras stations in a few minutes from where you can join numerous tube lines, Thameslink, other bus routes etc.
In a straight choice between the KX CP and HI Bloomsbury, the CP wins hands down in my book.
Although it is a fair walk to the nearest tube station, the 63 bus stops about 1 minutes’ walk from the hotel. This can get you to Kings Cross/St Pancras stations in a few minutes from where you can join numerous tube lines, Thameslink, other bus routes etc.
In a straight choice between the KX CP and HI Bloomsbury, the CP wins hands down in my book.
It is the only CP I know which doesn't give a more meaningful discount to those with CL access for a restaurant breakfast but perhaps that is because the restaurant is a third part operation (Belgo).
Feb 22, 2019, 8:04 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, IHG Spire, AMEX Plat
Posts: 599
There are very limited options as far as rooms available with points that can accommodate four people. There are some HIE’s but I try to avoid them for leisure travel. Blackfriars isn’t available with points. The CL KX breakfast does sound depressing but maybe good enough.
The City It is probably the best CP in London
Mar 20, 2019, 7:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
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