Luxury hotel reviews in London
Sep 9, 2009, 2:03 am
#61
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bergen, Norway
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, Flying Blue Gold, PC Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 521
I will suggest another hotel in London, The Capital in Kensington, close to Harrods. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the world and the restaurant has 2 stars (I think) in the Michellin-guide. I LOVED the atmosphere at the hotel. This is an old property and they have proper keys, not key-card. Not once I had to ask for the key, they always remembered me and had the key ready when I arrived. The door-man always "small-talked" with me and asked when he could expect me home. I never felt this as something I had to answer or "fulfill" it just felt like he cared. Like he said: "A young woman alone in the big city etc..." I had a suit and it was almost too big for me alone. 
The rooms are "old-fashioned" but in a good way. The suits have Molton Brown and Corres toiletries, lots of...
For me a luxury hotel is very much about the service and the atmosphere. I stayed at The Goring last year, but never got the good feeling like I got at The Capital. The door-man never said a word to me, nor did the people in the reception, unless the day I checked in and the day I checked out. I was disappointed at this hotel as I had heard good things about it. For me, as a single woman, the location wasn't the best either.
xxx
The rooms are "old-fashioned" but in a good way. The suits have Molton Brown and Corres toiletries, lots of... For me a luxury hotel is very much about the service and the atmosphere. I stayed at The Goring last year, but never got the good feeling like I got at The Capital. The door-man never said a word to me, nor did the people in the reception, unless the day I checked in and the day I checked out. I was disappointed at this hotel as I had heard good things about it. For me, as a single woman, the location wasn't the best either.
xxx
Sep 9, 2009, 3:40 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QF Platinum & Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,340
Sep 9, 2009, 2:47 pm
#65
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
I have heard that the Capital Hotel serve a wonderful afternoon tea -- I haven't had the chance to try it yet but perhaps on our next London visit I may try it out (both the hotel and the tea!!)
Sep 10, 2009, 8:36 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
A little more info: http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/CA6676801.html
Sounds like it's going to be pretty nice. I wonder what kind of restaurant they will have.
Sounds like it's going to be pretty nice. I wonder what kind of restaurant they will have.
Nov 15, 2009, 5:34 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Claridge's
I ignored DavidO's comments on the rooms at Claridge's to my detriment. I booked a Superior King and was given (to judge by the size) a Deluxe King. The web pictures look so alluring with the subtle, sophisticated colour schemes and individual art deco details.
In reality we got a room in which the dominating element was dun coloured curtains that completely negated the otherwise pleasantly upbeat colour scheme. The "courtyard" view is pretty grim but it would have been nice if the curtains had opened more fully to allow in more light. At some stage there must have been tie-backs - the hooks are still there - but they have disappeared.
The room was riddled with evidence of poor maintenance. The light coloured carpet had a big brown stain at the entrance to the bedroom, the top of the credenza had a rough patch (something too hot put down there?), the cupboard doors have been touched up with not-quite-matching cream paint, the silvering on the bathroom mirrors is peeling off on the edges, one mirror screw has lost its decorative cover... Generally very disappointing. (Perhaps those luxurious, newly decorated suites are better but I can't afford them.)
I did like the quality bed linens, the towels and bathrobes and especially the slippers. Also the Asprey Purple Water toiletries.
The corridors are also not as well maintained or decorated as they might be and are not nearly as attractive as they are on the pictures. The beautiful blue carpets show stains very quickly and even when just the pile is disturbed look disconcertingly as if they are dirty.
On the other hand the refurbished lobby area is an absolute gem, from the carpets and fabrics to the Chihuly chandelier. The tea was splendid and the breakfasts really good. Loved the crockery and the tiered silver dumb waiters.
Service all round was excellent - faultless, in fact.
Bottom line: I won't be in a hurry to stay here again but will jump at the opportunity to have their tea or breakfast.
In reality we got a room in which the dominating element was dun coloured curtains that completely negated the otherwise pleasantly upbeat colour scheme. The "courtyard" view is pretty grim but it would have been nice if the curtains had opened more fully to allow in more light. At some stage there must have been tie-backs - the hooks are still there - but they have disappeared.
The room was riddled with evidence of poor maintenance. The light coloured carpet had a big brown stain at the entrance to the bedroom, the top of the credenza had a rough patch (something too hot put down there?), the cupboard doors have been touched up with not-quite-matching cream paint, the silvering on the bathroom mirrors is peeling off on the edges, one mirror screw has lost its decorative cover... Generally very disappointing. (Perhaps those luxurious, newly decorated suites are better but I can't afford them.)
I did like the quality bed linens, the towels and bathrobes and especially the slippers. Also the Asprey Purple Water toiletries.
The corridors are also not as well maintained or decorated as they might be and are not nearly as attractive as they are on the pictures. The beautiful blue carpets show stains very quickly and even when just the pile is disturbed look disconcertingly as if they are dirty.
On the other hand the refurbished lobby area is an absolute gem, from the carpets and fabrics to the Chihuly chandelier. The tea was splendid and the breakfasts really good. Loved the crockery and the tiered silver dumb waiters.
Service all round was excellent - faultless, in fact.
Bottom line: I won't be in a hurry to stay here again but will jump at the opportunity to have their tea or breakfast.
Nov 16, 2009, 8:39 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Claridge's
This exactly mirrors my last experience of Claridge's, but I did stay in one of their top suites and was just as dismayed by the standard of maintenance (scuffed furniture, frayed upholstery).
Service is brilliant here, as are the public areas, but once you are in the rooms/suites, you wish you had booked somewhere else. I would never stay here again unless I was assured they had truly refurbished everything.
Service is brilliant here, as are the public areas, but once you are in the rooms/suites, you wish you had booked somewhere else. I would never stay here again unless I was assured they had truly refurbished everything.
I ignored DavidO's comments on the rooms at Claridge's to my detriment. I booked a Superior King and was given (to judge by the size) a Deluxe King. The web pictures look so alluring with the subtle, sophisticated colour schemes and individual art deco details.
In reality we got a room in which the dominating element was dun coloured curtains that completely negated the otherwise pleasantly upbeat colour scheme. The "courtyard" view is pretty grim but it would have been nice if the curtains had opened more fully to allow in more light. At some stage there must have been tie-backs - the hooks are still there - but they have disappeared.
The room was riddled with evidence of poor maintenance. The light coloured carpet had a big brown stain at the entrance to the bedroom, the top of the credenza had a rough patch (something too hot put down there?), the cupboard doors have been touched up with not-quite-matching cream paint, the silvering on the bathroom mirrors is peeling off on the edges, one mirror screw has lost its decorative cover... Generally very disappointing. (Perhaps those luxurious, newly decorated suites are better but I can't afford them.)
I did like the quality bed linens, the towels and bathrobes and especially the slippers. Also the Asprey Purple Water toiletries.
The corridors are also not as well maintained or decorated as they might be and are not nearly as attractive as they are on the pictures. The beautiful blue carpets show stains very quickly and even when just the pile is disturbed look disconcertingly as if they are dirty.
On the other hand the refurbished lobby area is an absolute gem, from the carpets and fabrics to the Chihuly chandelier. The tea was splendid and the breakfasts really good. Loved the crockery and the tiered silver dumb waiters.
Service all round was excellent - faultless, in fact.
Bottom line: I won't be in a hurry to stay here again but will jump at the opportunity to have their tea or breakfast.
In reality we got a room in which the dominating element was dun coloured curtains that completely negated the otherwise pleasantly upbeat colour scheme. The "courtyard" view is pretty grim but it would have been nice if the curtains had opened more fully to allow in more light. At some stage there must have been tie-backs - the hooks are still there - but they have disappeared.
The room was riddled with evidence of poor maintenance. The light coloured carpet had a big brown stain at the entrance to the bedroom, the top of the credenza had a rough patch (something too hot put down there?), the cupboard doors have been touched up with not-quite-matching cream paint, the silvering on the bathroom mirrors is peeling off on the edges, one mirror screw has lost its decorative cover... Generally very disappointing. (Perhaps those luxurious, newly decorated suites are better but I can't afford them.)
I did like the quality bed linens, the towels and bathrobes and especially the slippers. Also the Asprey Purple Water toiletries.
The corridors are also not as well maintained or decorated as they might be and are not nearly as attractive as they are on the pictures. The beautiful blue carpets show stains very quickly and even when just the pile is disturbed look disconcertingly as if they are dirty.
On the other hand the refurbished lobby area is an absolute gem, from the carpets and fabrics to the Chihuly chandelier. The tea was splendid and the breakfasts really good. Loved the crockery and the tiered silver dumb waiters.
Service all round was excellent - faultless, in fact.
Bottom line: I won't be in a hurry to stay here again but will jump at the opportunity to have their tea or breakfast.
Nov 16, 2009, 10:11 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
http://www.departures.com/articles/t...n-of-claridges
linley suites were redone in 2007. still expensive, but rates have dropped.
£1550 linley classic 90m2
£1750 linley couture 90m2
£2250 2br linley couture 151m2
http://traveler.fivestaralliance.com...-at-claridges/
original 2007 pricing - 1BR £2500 / 2BR £3250
http://www.maybourne.com/uploadedFil..._Claridges.pdf
according to that, seems like some of the claridges suites, and the royal suite were also redone by linley.
related - for dior fans >
http://www.maybourne.com/uploadedFil...ior.pdf?n=8433
http://www.claridges.co.uk/dior.aspx
Mar 22, 2010, 6:27 am
#73
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
They keep changing the opening date of the Savoy, due to various construction problems that keep being discovered, but we think it could be April or May....
I would opt for The Covent Garden Hotel - by far the best option whilst FS London is still closed.
Mar 22, 2010, 3:58 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
We tried the Connaught last week-end, and thanks to your advice Vuittonsofstyle we stayed in the new wing. It was very nice, with up-to-date and modern equipments. The bathroom was fantastic (giant rain shower head, large tub, etc.). But I still prefer the Lannesborough.
Aug 15, 2012, 6:00 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 566
The Goring is simply the best hotel in London. It's classy, relaxed, refined and historic. The staff are better than any hotel i have ever stayed at. They all seem like they are proud to work there and are allowed to show their personalities. A wonderful place.
A far cry from some of these modern 5 star chain monstrosities that although mostly efficient, lack personality, class, personal touch and they all seem the same to me.
A far cry from some of these modern 5 star chain monstrosities that although mostly efficient, lack personality, class, personal touch and they all seem the same to me.