Luxury hotels in London
Dec 2, 2008, 8:42 pm
#62
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Hyatt Churchill club level? Stayed there many times. Decent upscale hotel, not luxury level. Check out the extensive review thread in the Hyatt forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479
Dec 3, 2008, 9:50 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Firmdale, luxe?
They are not for people seeking prestige or Michelin stars, but they are all small, discreet boutiques with friendly staff, really good food, comfortable beds and a great sense of modern English design. They are also, on the whole, very good value for money. One of my favourites is their Knightsbridge hotel, which is essentially an up-scale B&B with 24-hour room service. It is beautifully designed, with friendly, helpful staff, great location and a fraction of the price of, say, The Dorchester, which, also considered to be 'luxe' is, IMHO, far from it in terms of service.
Last edited by vuittonsofstyle; Dec 3, 2008 at 9:52 am Reason: spelling
Dec 3, 2008, 11:49 am
#64
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
Well, if you compare the big suites in, say, The Soho Hotel (such as the massive Terrace Suite), with the high-end suites in MO Hyde Park (such as the claustrophobic Albert Suite), and you put the MO Hyde Park bathrooms against the smart granite and wood bathrooms in one of the Firmdale properties, then I don't really care if the Firmdales are luxe or not - they are simply better, more comfortable places in which to stay.
They are not for people seeking prestige or Michelin stars, but they are all small, discreet boutiques with friendly staff, really good food, comfortable beds and a great sense of modern English design. They are also, on the whole, very good value for money. One of my favourites is their Knightsbridge hotel, which is essentially an up-scale B&B with 24-hour room service. It is beautifully designed, with friendly, helpful staff, great location and a fraction of the price of, say, The Dorchester, which, also considered to be 'luxe' is, IMHO, far from it in terms of service.
They are not for people seeking prestige or Michelin stars, but they are all small, discreet boutiques with friendly staff, really good food, comfortable beds and a great sense of modern English design. They are also, on the whole, very good value for money. One of my favourites is their Knightsbridge hotel, which is essentially an up-scale B&B with 24-hour room service. It is beautifully designed, with friendly, helpful staff, great location and a fraction of the price of, say, The Dorchester, which, also considered to be 'luxe' is, IMHO, far from it in terms of service.
Dec 3, 2008, 3:40 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BER
Programs: Amanjunkie, LH SEN
Posts: 750
Firmdale = modern luxury
I agree totally with vuittons: Firmdale Hotels are the most luxurious to me in London - way better feeling, way better rooms, way better living than at Ritz or MO.
It's a modern, good-taste-luxury with fantastic rooms (and even a private screening room at Soho or a big, fancy swimming pool at Haymarket).
It's a modern, good-taste-luxury with fantastic rooms (and even a private screening room at Soho or a big, fancy swimming pool at Haymarket).
Dec 3, 2008, 3:54 pm
#66
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
While I have yet to stay at a Firmdale property, the pictures of the rooms on their websites are quite horrid. They look as fussy as the Dorchester and Lanesborough are with a slightly more modern fussiness about it..... I guess Firmdale is not my cup of tea.....
Dec 23, 2008, 3:56 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
Dear Pierre & Cédric, The Lanesborough is frightful. There is so much furniture in the rooms and suites that you need to wear cricket pads on your shins to survive walking around the room. Also, it is not at all English, but is an American view of what England is all about.
The hotel location is just perfect, and the decoration is quite nice (less heavy in fact than the Dorechester's). I made a short video and some pictures, I guess they will be released on Tripadvisor soon.
For my next trip I am considering the Savoy. It is supposed to reopen in May '09, I thought it was supposed to remain closed for renovation far longer.
Dec 23, 2008, 7:05 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
The Lanesborough
We just come back from The Lanesborough. It was much better than I expected, as I have to admit I was a bit scared by your comments and others.
The hotel location is just perfect, and the decoration is quite nice (less heavy in fact than the Dorechester's). I made a short video and some pictures, I guess they will be released on Tripadvisor soon.
For my next trip I am considering the Savoy. It is supposed to reopen in May '09, I thought it was supposed to remain closed for renovation far longer.
The hotel location is just perfect, and the decoration is quite nice (less heavy in fact than the Dorechester's). I made a short video and some pictures, I guess they will be released on Tripadvisor soon.
For my next trip I am considering the Savoy. It is supposed to reopen in May '09, I thought it was supposed to remain closed for renovation far longer.
I am a bit worried that you want to stay at The Savoy. Do you know that it is now a Fairmont? This means that even its owners realise that it will never be top-drawer. Otherwise, they would have made it a Raffles hotel (same owners).
Dec 23, 2008, 7:46 am
#69
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
Thank you for the information, I didn't know that Fairmont & Raffles were owned by the same group. I have never stayed at a Fairmont property, is it really that bad? (I read some comments about the Plaza in NYC managed by Fairmont and it seems indeed quite disappointing.) Regarding Raffles, the only hotel I know is the one in Singapore. I stayed there twice and it was fantastic both times.
The Lanesborough is just above the 'Hyde Park Corner' underground station. Clearly the location is unbeatable.
Regarding service, reception staff is smiling, professionnal, and very efficient. We were shown our room within less than 5 minutes after having entered the lobby (which -by the way- is quite different from standard 5* hotels lobbies, it feels more like a private club).
Our butler was waiting for us, he showed us the air-con/lighting system (a discreete remote control in the bedside table which use is very simple -you don't spend hours looking for the right switch like in many other hotels
). He also offered us a welcome tea. Internet access is free of charge, and there are plenty of complimentary services.
The bathroom is well appointed even if a bit tiny (only one vanity, but separate bathtub and shower). All products were presented in nice big bottles.
I feared that the butler would erupt in the room at any time, but it didn't happen. All furniture, carpets, equipments were in mint condition.
Regarding food, we requested room service on the first evening. Delivery was incredibly quick (probably no more than 5-6 minutes) for two Caesar salads. The breakfast is served in Apsleys. Decoration is nice, we were very few people in the restaurant, nothing special to say about it. The afternoon tea is fantastic, even if there is too much food for me...
Only two negative points: security staff on our floor was everywhere (we wondered if some VIP was staying there), and doormen were not enough (one car only and they were all busy).
My english is still terrible, sorry for that. If you wan any specific information just tell me and I will try to complete my story.
The Lanesborough is just above the 'Hyde Park Corner' underground station. Clearly the location is unbeatable.
Regarding service, reception staff is smiling, professionnal, and very efficient. We were shown our room within less than 5 minutes after having entered the lobby (which -by the way- is quite different from standard 5* hotels lobbies, it feels more like a private club).
Our butler was waiting for us, he showed us the air-con/lighting system (a discreete remote control in the bedside table which use is very simple -you don't spend hours looking for the right switch like in many other hotels
). He also offered us a welcome tea. Internet access is free of charge, and there are plenty of complimentary services.The bathroom is well appointed even if a bit tiny (only one vanity, but separate bathtub and shower). All products were presented in nice big bottles.
I feared that the butler would erupt in the room at any time, but it didn't happen. All furniture, carpets, equipments were in mint condition.
Regarding food, we requested room service on the first evening. Delivery was incredibly quick (probably no more than 5-6 minutes) for two Caesar salads. The breakfast is served in Apsleys. Decoration is nice, we were very few people in the restaurant, nothing special to say about it. The afternoon tea is fantastic, even if there is too much food for me...
Only two negative points: security staff on our floor was everywhere (we wondered if some VIP was staying there), and doormen were not enough (one car only and they were all busy).
My english is still terrible, sorry for that. If you wan any specific information just tell me and I will try to complete my story.
Dec 23, 2008, 10:33 am
#70
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Yes, Fairmont properties are really that bad. In Canada, they tend to run famous old hotels and milk them by underinvestment, so things go threadbare. At least that's my experience.
P.S. I really like the notion that a butler could erupt into a room! On my one and only stay at the Lanesborough, not only did the butler never erupt in the room, he never showed up at all, even when summoned.
P.S. I really like the notion that a butler could erupt into a room! On my one and only stay at the Lanesborough, not only did the butler never erupt in the room, he never showed up at all, even when summoned.
Dec 23, 2008, 1:09 pm
#71
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
Yes, Fairmont properties are really that bad. In Canada, they tend to run famous old hotels and milk them by underinvestment, so things go threadbare. At least that's my experience.
P.S. I really like the notion that a butler could erupt into a room! On my one and only stay at the Lanesborough, not only did the butler never erupt in the room, he never showed up at all, even when summoned.
P.S. I really like the notion that a butler could erupt into a room! On my one and only stay at the Lanesborough, not only did the butler never erupt in the room, he never showed up at all, even when summoned.
Dec 23, 2008, 2:25 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dublin,Ireland and Nice France
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,058
Good to hear that The Lanesborough pleased you. I agree that its location is excellent and its exterior is very smart indeed. I just have a problem with everything else. How was the service?
I am a bit worried that you want to stay at The Savoy. Do you know that it is now a Fairmont? This means that even its owners realise that it will never be top-drawer. Otherwise, they would have made it a Raffles hotel (same owners).
I am a bit worried that you want to stay at The Savoy. Do you know that it is now a Fairmont? This means that even its owners realise that it will never be top-drawer. Otherwise, they would have made it a Raffles hotel (same owners).
No butler though.Good food and wine and faultless service in their park restaurant and a somewhat trendy few cocktails were had in their mandarin bar.
An all in all good experience.
Dec 23, 2008, 8:25 pm
#74
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,946
I don't think anyone at FS London wants to be the George V of London - it's not really their style, given the building. What has and will always separate out FS London from the rest is the wonderful service. Once they get the hardware right after the refurbishment, then this hotel could easily be the very best in London.
They are moving the restaurant and bar from the upper floor to the ground level and these will interconnect with the lobby. All the rooms will be completely re-modelled.
The spa on the roof will have gardens and a conservatory relaxation room.
The whole exterior of the building is being re-faceted to bring it up to date.
Should be brilliant.
They are moving the restaurant and bar from the upper floor to the ground level and these will interconnect with the lobby. All the rooms will be completely re-modelled.
The spa on the roof will have gardens and a conservatory relaxation room.
The whole exterior of the building is being re-faceted to bring it up to date.
Should be brilliant.
Dec 23, 2008, 9:15 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Dec 23, 2008 at 9:34 pm