Apr 28, 2018, 10:52 am
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)
Feb 1, 2019, 4:29 pm
#151
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
- Dress like this: <Steve Jobs> in black turtleneck and blue jeans.
- Go to the Savoy.
- Go into the bar (not the lobby). Sit at the bar.
- Try to order a drink.
Feb 1, 2019, 5:08 pm
#152
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,560
I'm always surprised with comments about snobbery in London hotels, particularly around dress code. To be clear, I am not saying I don't believe it, I just have never experienced anything like it in my 7 years of regularly staying in them, which by now covers almost every luxury hotel and probably around 500 nights. I started staying when I was 25, when they would have been right to look down on my peasant status.
As @DSI, @FlyerEC, @bhrubin and @Groombridge can attest, being well dressed is not something they will write about on my tombstone. In fact, you will most likely find me in a hoodie, which in England is associated with, well, let me have Wikipedia say it best.
As @DSI, @FlyerEC, @bhrubin and @Groombridge can attest, being well dressed is not something they will write about on my tombstone. In fact, you will most likely find me in a hoodie, which in England is associated with, well, let me have Wikipedia say it best.
Feb 1, 2019, 8:46 pm
#153
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
I'm always surprised with comments about snobbery in London hotels, particularly around dress code. To be clear, I am not saying I don't believe it, I just have never experienced anything like it in my 7 years of regularly staying in them, which by now covers almost every luxury hotel and probably around 500 nights. I started staying when I was 25, when they would have been right to look down on my peasant status.
As @DSI, @FlyerEC, @bhrubin and @Groombridge can attest, being well dressed is not something they will write about on my tombstone. In fact, you will most likely find me in a hoodie, which in England is associated with, well, let me have Wikipedia say it best.
As @DSI, @FlyerEC, @bhrubin and @Groombridge can attest, being well dressed is not something they will write about on my tombstone. In fact, you will most likely find me in a hoodie, which in England is associated with, well, let me have Wikipedia say it best.
Try this next time you are in London:
- Dress like this: <Steve Jobs> in black turtleneck and blue jeans.
- Go to the Savoy.
- Go into the bar (not the lobby). Sit at the bar.
- Try to order a drink.
^
Feb 1, 2019, 10:07 pm
#154
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
It seems you have more than you fair share of such experience I recalled? Savoy, MO BKK and Park Hyatt Tokyo. Maybe you are extremely sloppily dressed? Or they just don't like you. LOL That said, lots of high end luxury casual hotels that have no dress code which will welcome you in open arms without any restriction of attire. ^
^
On MO BKK - I've never stayed. My only stays in BKK have been at the Pen and Siam. I did take the boat from the Pen to the Mo BK to eat at the bar, and I had no issues with the dress code. I thoroughly enjoy the meal I had no issues at the bar in the MO. The MO BKK is high on my list when I return to Bangkok. I was not floored by Siam or the Pen.
Park Hyatt Tokyo was a different issue, not related to attire. I've stayed twice at this hotel. I stand by the statement that 'this is a famous bar with hotel attached'. Park Hyatt Tokyo is vastly over rated. It might be worse than Aman. THAT is a different thread.
Savoy was a complete and total disaster. This hotel made *clear* that it did not want my business. I'm not sure what the problem is. I work in high tech, and `fashion` is not in my vocabulary. I could not even cross the lobby without getting hassled. Actually trying to get something to eat was impossible. I (frantically) moved to the Lanesbough, where I had no problem with my attire.
Feb 1, 2019, 11:05 pm
#155
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
You will find a little bit of tweed goes a long way in London hotels. It's amazing how throwing on a tweed jacket with a pair of jeans and a shirt makes all the difference. I'm a bit like Tom and don't care much for fashion at all - since my family and I spend a huge amount of time in FL my wardrobe is mainly filled with shorts and tee shirts. That said I'd rather blend in than stand out so I put on something vaguely smart when I stay in London and my hotels of choice are 45PL and The Lanesborough.
Feb 2, 2019, 1:16 am
#156
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Not quite, but your comments are reasonable. Let me clarify ...
On MO BKK - I've never stayed. My only stays in BKK have been at the Pen and Siam. I did take the boat from the Pen to the Mo BK to eat at the bar, and I had no issues with the dress code. I thoroughly enjoy the meal I had no issues at the bar in the MO. The MO BKK is high on my list when I return to Bangkok. I was not floored by Siam or the Pen.
On MO BKK - I've never stayed. My only stays in BKK have been at the Pen and Siam. I did take the boat from the Pen to the Mo BK to eat at the bar, and I had no issues with the dress code. I thoroughly enjoy the meal I had no issues at the bar in the MO. The MO BKK is high on my list when I return to Bangkok. I was not floored by Siam or the Pen.
While I am all for hotel guests being allowed to enjoy the premise in more comfortable and casual clothing ( a suit and tie is really passe in this day and age ) and not being bothered by security, I wonder sometimes where does one draw the line? I have seen guests having breakfast dressing like they just walked off the beach, T-shirt, shorts exposing hairy legs and slippers. And no, that's not in a beach resort. It's in a 5-star luxury city hotel and yes, in London. Worse, occasionally they have to put their legs up on another chair and exposing their feet.
Feb 2, 2019, 9:33 am
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
it is not about dress code or security, but allowing differentiation based on what class
(and re dress code, when dress code is not enforced, there is no dress code)
so far seems impossible to have asynchronous text based discussion on these topics.
very easy to not allow nonguests, rather than treat everyone differently based on ...
MacMyDay, staff learned who you were very quickly as you are a local, age also factor.
some business travelers (not locals) here report various issues at certain hotels/brands
most here underestimate being tracked / watched by hotel.
at savoy, so busy watching lobby, not watching elevators..
frankly this is part of why i do not like regular hotels, vs aman/independent style.
many here report better service (identify guest) booking via agents or managers.
FS has started differentiating more, even if not as much as most luxury brands
(and re dress code, when dress code is not enforced, there is no dress code)
so far seems impossible to have asynchronous text based discussion on these topics.
very easy to not allow nonguests, rather than treat everyone differently based on ...
some business travelers (not locals) here report various issues at certain hotels/brands
most here underestimate being tracked / watched by hotel.
at savoy, so busy watching lobby, not watching elevators..
frankly this is part of why i do not like regular hotels, vs aman/independent style.
many here report better service (identify guest) booking via agents or managers.
FS has started differentiating more, even if not as much as most luxury brands
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 2, 2019 at 10:04 am
Feb 2, 2019, 10:37 am
#158
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
My apologies. I must have recalled wrongly. But few years back, there were several case of heated debate over MO BKK dress code. Some posters were expressing profound indignation for being prevented to enter either the restaurants or the hotel compound due to perceived failure to meet the official dress code, while other posters defended the hotel's policy. Those threads end up getting locked.
While I am all for hotel guests being allowed to enjoy the premise in more comfortable and casual clothing ( a suit and tie is really passe in this day and age ) and not being bothered by security, I wonder sometimes where does one draw the line? I have seen guests having breakfast dressing like they just walked off the beach, T-shirt, shorts exposing hairy legs and slippers. And no, that's not in a beach resort. It's in a 5-star luxury city hotel and yes, in London. Worse, occasionally they have to put their legs up on another chair and exposing their feet.
While I am all for hotel guests being allowed to enjoy the premise in more comfortable and casual clothing ( a suit and tie is really passe in this day and age ) and not being bothered by security, I wonder sometimes where does one draw the line? I have seen guests having breakfast dressing like they just walked off the beach, T-shirt, shorts exposing hairy legs and slippers. And no, that's not in a beach resort. It's in a 5-star luxury city hotel and yes, in London. Worse, occasionally they have to put their legs up on another chair and exposing their feet.
Feb 3, 2019, 7:27 am
#159
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 48
Slightly off topic but is anyone else surprised by the number of hotel serviced apartments opening in the next few years in Mayfair. Have I missed any?
- Mayfair Park Residences (Dorchester Serviced Apartments)
- Four Seasons Grosvenor Square
- Mandarin Oriental Hanover Square
- Peninsula London (just outside Mayfair I know)
- Mayfair Park Residences (Dorchester Serviced Apartments)
- Four Seasons Grosvenor Square
- Mandarin Oriental Hanover Square
- Peninsula London (just outside Mayfair I know)
Feb 3, 2019, 8:07 pm
#160
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,221
jonjparr wrote: "You will find a little bit of tweed goes a long way in London hotels"
OK, this cracked me up.
Jim is not given to dressing well but we found he was fine with almost any sort of shirt, sweater or nice T paired with khakis (dockers in his case) and a navy blazer which he wanted in any case because he's often cold. Trainers on his feet, no problem. We did not have tea at the Ritz but the costume worked for tea at the Savoy.
Then, too, maybe it was my imperious glare daring a challenge.
Meanwhile, I am mostly rumpled linen tops, pants, jacket with scarfs and perfect aplomb.
OK, this cracked me up.
Jim is not given to dressing well but we found he was fine with almost any sort of shirt, sweater or nice T paired with khakis (dockers in his case) and a navy blazer which he wanted in any case because he's often cold. Trainers on his feet, no problem. We did not have tea at the Ritz but the costume worked for tea at the Savoy.
Then, too, maybe it was my imperious glare daring a challenge.
Meanwhile, I am mostly rumpled linen tops, pants, jacket with scarfs and perfect aplomb.
Feb 4, 2019, 2:04 am
#161
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
Feb 4, 2019, 2:09 am
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,506
Feb 4, 2019, 4:45 am
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,506
Feb 4, 2019, 11:27 am
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
ritz (and savoy?) did downgrade their dress codes some
sold hotel residences including townhouses, first two have no hotel rooms.
land was available, hotel brands want the revenue and marketing to owners.
peninsula owns their development, presumably dorchester owns theirs too
obviously these would follow existing MO considering sale prices there
land was available, hotel brands want the revenue and marketing to owners.
peninsula owns their development, presumably dorchester owns theirs too
obviously these would follow existing MO considering sale prices there