Last edit by: SanDiego1K
London hotels with a wealth of detailed posts, 2013 - 2017
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels-travel/1475602-london-luxury-hotel.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels-travel/1475602-london-luxury-hotel.html
London Hotel Recommendations (newer consolidated thread)
#211
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
We booked to stay, went for a drink and show around and then cancelled our booking. The hotel is next to a main road, so the disturbance is too much for me. They have a little terrace for the bar facing directly at said road, which must be the worst positioned F&B outlet I've ever seen in a luxury hotel. Instead of being served martinis and champagne, you'll likely get rustled up a nice ear infection from all the idiots in their Ferrari's driving past at 100mph. And incurable diseases from all the pollution. The rooms are very nice though; they made me think of what The Beaumont would look like, had a woman designed it, i.e. much more warm.
#212
I'd have honestly expected you to be more of a Mandarin Oriental or Connaught person in London, but if you do go to the Bulgari please do let us know what you think of the hotel which I can't seperate in my mind from the movies Men in Black (when you meet the staff you'll see what I mean).
#214
#215
#216
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
They have a little terrace for the bar facing directly at said road, which must be the worst positioned F&B outlet I've ever seen in a luxury hotel. Instead of being served martinis and champagne, you'll likely get rustled up a nice ear infection from all the idiots in their Ferrari's driving past at 100mph. And incurable diseases from all the pollution.
#217
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
If I was rich enough to drive one of those in London you would not see me getting out of the house at 6:30am. To be fair, you’re not going to ever see me at 6:30am as it is...
#219
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 98
Can anyone weigh in on Covent Garden Hotel v. Savoy? I'm there next week with my husband and 2 daughters (their first time in London). Constrained by location, budget, and availability, these are our two best options. CGH would be a four poster suite. Savoy would be 2 adjoining lowest category rooms. Based on what I've read on this forum, it seems that CGH is the better choice, but since I haven't come across any head-to-head comparison, I wanted to confirm.
#221
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 221
My husband and I are doing a quick 3 day/2-night visit to London at the end of the year. It's been over a decade since either of us have been, so we'll be doing touristy things - like 1 or 2 museums, and shopping. We don't need a suite, so entry level rooms are fine. Unlikely to need any concierge services. One caveat is that we're arriving at LHR on Boxing Day morning, so we will have limited public transit options into London (Yes, I am aware museums are closed on Boxing Day itself). The hotels in our budget are: Baglioni, Shangri La, Beaumont, Rosewood, Corinthia, Savoy, Goring, and Langham. Suggestions?
- Shangri La is probably out because of its location.
- One top choice was the Savoy, but since reading this thread and because we're the stereotypical California casual types, I feel like it might get awkward.
- Baglioni is the cheapest by far but I've only seen one (very negative) comment about it here. Out of curiosity, can someone elaborate on what's so bad about it?
- Right now, the Rosewood seems like best option for us (even though this thread seems meh on it) because it's 1) short walk from a Piccadilly line tube stop (to get there from airport) 2) walking distance to British Museum and Chinatown (better chance of restaurants being open on Boxing Day) 3) and relatively bigger entry level rooms.
#222
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 173
Personally, with a caveat that I am a Londoner so I don’t typically stay in hotels in my own city, I would chose the Rosewood from all of the above.
Having said that, I don’t think the SL is in a bad location - in fact I would prefer it to some of the others mentioned.
Also do keep in mind that it is fairly easy to change lines (ok luggage may make that a bit more difficult) so I wouldn’t use that as a factor in my selection.
Lastly, every year most major London newspapers will run holiday specials of where to eat and the places that are open on Boxing Day. Quite a lot of places stay open these days. Check a few weeks in advance and you’ll find that you won’t be limited to Chinatown only.
Having said that, I don’t think the SL is in a bad location - in fact I would prefer it to some of the others mentioned.
Also do keep in mind that it is fairly easy to change lines (ok luggage may make that a bit more difficult) so I wouldn’t use that as a factor in my selection.
Lastly, every year most major London newspapers will run holiday specials of where to eat and the places that are open on Boxing Day. Quite a lot of places stay open these days. Check a few weeks in advance and you’ll find that you won’t be limited to Chinatown only.
#223
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Can anyone weigh in on Covent Garden Hotel v. Savoy? I'm there next week with my husband and 2 daughters (their first time in London). Constrained by location, budget, and availability, these are our two best options. CGH would be a four poster suite. Savoy would be 2 adjoining lowest category rooms. Based on what I've read on this forum, it seems that CGH is the better choice, but since I haven't come across any head-to-head comparison, I wanted to confirm.
The Savoy is grand, large, old. I think it's spectacular, others might find it stuffy, out of date. The Covent Garden hotel is young, hip, refreshing. Some might find it lacks luxury (though the service is good) or grandeur.
#224
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
My husband and I are doing a quick 3 day/2-night visit to London at the end of the year. It's been over a decade since either of us have been, so we'll be doing touristy things - like 1 or 2 museums, and shopping. We don't need a suite, so entry level rooms are fine. Unlikely to need any concierge services. One caveat is that we're arriving at LHR on Boxing Day morning, so we will have limited public transit options into London (Yes, I am aware museums are closed on Boxing Day itself). The hotels in our budget are: Baglioni, Shangri La, Beaumont, Rosewood, Corinthia, Savoy, Goring, and Langham. Suggestions?
Personally I'd go with the Langham, though I've not stayed there in a while and I have heard a couple of bad reviews recently. In general though, it's a well located 5* with excellent service and F&B
I also really like the Savoy and don't find it in any way stuffy in the way that some people seem to (I used to spend 2-3 evenings a week hanging around at one stage), but if you're going to approach it with a concern that you might feel under-dressed then maybe give it a miss - but do visit for a drink
The Shangri-La is out of the way and has a terrible reputation - I'd immediately strike it off the list
The Goring has raised its profile recently and now has a restaurant from Nathan Outlaw, one of the most en vogue English chefs. Never stayed there as I find the location a bit dull for me (but it's prime American tourist London - a great place to meet Californians on the street!)
The Rosewood is modern, but also quite luxurious. Very good F&B and a pretty happening location. I found the rooms a bit bland, but can't really fault anything with it
The Corinthia is good if you like very modern bling, but I personally find it lacks soul
I've never stayed at the Baglioni, but didn't think it rated alongside some of these other hotels
You'll be fine getting to your hotel on Boxing Day. London's infrastructure pretty much stays open not too different from usual (subject to some restrictions obviously). After a long trip I'd take an Uber in any case. London hint: If you want to take an UberX and see there's Surge, upgrade to UberExec which has surges less often and so can be cheaper than UberX when it's busy.
#225
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
The rooms are rather boring and pretty standard - even the entry level suites, which you stand almost no chance of getting upgraded to due to how few of them there are, are nothing to write about. I like minimalism, but not that much. It's only if you can get a top suite that you'll start to feel you're in a great hotel. Sadly their once great restaurant is no more, which is not surprising as I genuinely never saw it more than 10% full - I guess the basement was not the best place to put a restaurant and rely on corporate to keep it running. I have not tried their new restaurant though.