W Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom [Master Thread]
#271
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 494
I am here now for a couple of nights and really like the hotel. Very busy area, but kind of nice to be in yet rise above. My SNA cleared exactly at 2pm 5 days out and got the marvelous suite. Very nice corner room with great views to Piccadilly etc. Note, its not a suite in the sense of a separate living room, see pics earlier in the thread for the quirky lay out. Staff are great. I arrived just before 11am, they found me a room. Also, the first (ever) hotel to comment on my preferences in my profile and ask if I need extra towels and pillows! I figured I would have a late breakfast on arrival and expected to pay, but was comped it for being Titanium (a nice and unexpected touch). I am not young and hip and usually stay at the Sheraton Park Lane but thinking we will change our booking in July to here. Fun hotel, very comfortable, great location etc. So far it is meeting what I always hope for from a good W (Bogota and Brisbane come to mind).
#272
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,323
Restrictions have been placed on the premises licence which might affect you if you wanted to meet a non-resident in the bar:
This is due to an incident on 10 July this year when 30 people were involved in a brawl at an externally-organised event.
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/w-ho...rawl-licensing (Free but requires registration)
At a meeting last week, it was decided that the premises licence be amended to restrict access to residents and a set number of guests as well as members of the hotel group's loyalty programme and a limited number of invited patrons.
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/w-ho...rawl-licensing (Free but requires registration)
#273
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX/NYC
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, HH G, BR Diamond/*G, BAEC Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 560
Restrictions have been placed on the premises licence which might affect you if you wanted to meet a non-resident in the bar:
This is due to an incident on 10 July this year when 30 people were involved in a brawl at an externally-organised event.
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/w-ho...rawl-licensing (Free but requires registration)
This is due to an incident on 10 July this year when 30 people were involved in a brawl at an externally-organised event.
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/w-ho...rawl-licensing (Free but requires registration)
#274
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,203
a free to read article: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-b1018320.html
lol at this, the scene they wanted to build over the years always resulted in quite obnoxious parties. maybe it'll actually be a tolerable space for once!
lol at this, the scene they wanted to build over the years always resulted in quite obnoxious parties. maybe it'll actually be a tolerable space for once!
#275
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Just finished a stay at the W Leicester Square last week and had a wonderful stay.
Used SNAs to confirm a Marvelous Suite ahead of time. Room wasn't ready when I arrived at the hotel, before check-in time - was offered a courtesy room for my use as my room wasn't expected to be ready until later in the evening. I was not expecting that and was fully ready to use the spa/gym showers for a quick refresh and to head out into the city until my room was ready. Major props to them for offering this.
Only complaint about the room I have is the lack of a mirror close to an electrical outlet. I think someone else mentioned that London/UK building codes prohibit electrical sockets in the bathroom/sink area, as there are no electrical sockets at all in the wet room of the Marvelous Suite. However, there are no mirrors in the main room, where there are electrical sockets. Really hard to blow dry and style your hair without a mirror.
Also a bit noisy from the noise outside as sound proofing was a bit lacking, but the noise tended to die down by 10pm-11pm so wasn't a big issue.
Overall a wonderful stay at a great hotel in a great location!
Used SNAs to confirm a Marvelous Suite ahead of time. Room wasn't ready when I arrived at the hotel, before check-in time - was offered a courtesy room for my use as my room wasn't expected to be ready until later in the evening. I was not expecting that and was fully ready to use the spa/gym showers for a quick refresh and to head out into the city until my room was ready. Major props to them for offering this.
Only complaint about the room I have is the lack of a mirror close to an electrical outlet. I think someone else mentioned that London/UK building codes prohibit electrical sockets in the bathroom/sink area, as there are no electrical sockets at all in the wet room of the Marvelous Suite. However, there are no mirrors in the main room, where there are electrical sockets. Really hard to blow dry and style your hair without a mirror.
Also a bit noisy from the noise outside as sound proofing was a bit lacking, but the noise tended to die down by 10pm-11pm so wasn't a big issue.
Overall a wonderful stay at a great hotel in a great location!
#276
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,763
Regarding the plug sockets, yes - they are banned in bathrooms in the UK. Apparently we cant be trusted to not murder ourselves.
Its a constant pet peeve of mine in W and EDITION hotels that they often design rooms in an impractical manner - the issue with mirrors and plug sockets is a common one IME.
I tend to find you do hear a fair bit of street noise at this hotel unless you are on the top floor.
Its a constant pet peeve of mine in W and EDITION hotels that they often design rooms in an impractical manner - the issue with mirrors and plug sockets is a common one IME.
I tend to find you do hear a fair bit of street noise at this hotel unless you are on the top floor.
#277
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 15,957
#278
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 494
Does anyone have any good rate codes for the W? I have 3 nights in London in November, currently booked at Sheraton Park Lane. Would prefer W (though I like both) but its around 150 quid more a night. I loved the LRR while it worked Thanks.
#279
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,740
Guess the UK never heard of GFCI.
#280
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 4,896
Wow, another fantastic W stay in a unique property that obviously cares a lot about guest experience! For me, W stands for Win! Here are my pros, cons, and photos:
Pros:
Photos:
Pros:
- Upgraded to a Fabulous King on the top floor (7) - online, only 1 Fabulous showed available (the UK website seems to show exact counts) and no suites showed available
- I found the room design whimsical and definitely adequate for a solo traveler - I loved some of the details such as the UK flag design behind the TV
- The bed was very comfortable with plush covers, plush mattress, and 6 plush pillows
- Shower pressure was pretty good from the rainfall head
- The iPad control system for the lights, climate control, and TV (no other remote) worked very well and was highly responsive - the TV did have Internet apps such as YouTube
- Comfy and plush lounger chair
- Noise isolation was decent though not perfect
- Service was fantastic with one of the nicest check-in experiences from Paula and a great checkout experience from another super friendly agent
- Asked proactively about late checkout - no issue with 4 PM
- Offered hot chocolate or mulled wine and a mince pie - I was encouraged by another agent to take the mulled wine, which was delicious and much better than normal wine
- Given a free drink coupon since there weren't suites available
- Engineering problem with the blinds chain (the turndown housekeeper seemed to get it stuck) was fixed with a full chain replacement while I was at breakfast
- Delivered an amazingly delicious welcome gift and card of assorted desserts - they were all so good and I ate them immediately and cleaned the plate
- The in room dining agent was super friendly and was asking about home and how my family was faring in the winter storms
- Elite welcome gift breakfast is a great time with a free selection from the juice/smoothie section, a starter, a main, and unlimited hot drinks
- Delicious cappuccinos and one of the best Eggs Royale I have had (such soft English muffins)
- Not a huge fan of the gluten free banana bread, but that's what I get for going out of my comfort zone
- Turndowns left 3 additional glass bottles of water
- Really tasty fish and chips at dinner (1st floor bar where breakfast was also served, not the Burger place that was closed) with my free cocktail (a tasty coffee and hazelnut drink called the Dream Dasher)
- Sink drain cover was wonky and prevented easy draining
Photos:
#281
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,763
Thanks for the up to date review. I have also enjoyed my stays at the W this year. The Christmas themed treats looked like a nice touch. Glad you had a good time.
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Can't for the life of me determine what that dark thing in front of the pillows is/was?
David
p.s. I would "like" your stay post but FT programming is precluding it once again... (Unable to like ElevatorEnthusiast's hotel reviews)
David
p.s. I would "like" your stay post but FT programming is precluding it once again... (Unable to like ElevatorEnthusiast's hotel reviews)
#283
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 4,896
Can't for the life of me determine what that dark thing in front of the pillows is/was?
David
p.s. I would "like" your stay post but FT programming is precluding it once again... (Unable to like ElevatorEnthusiast's hotel reviews)
David
p.s. I would "like" your stay post but FT programming is precluding it once again... (Unable to like ElevatorEnthusiast's hotel reviews)
#284
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH Gold
Posts: 4,404
ElevatorEnthusiast - great photos! I had to cancel my one reservation at the W Leicester Square due to COVID travel restrictions. Hope to make it there soon. Thanks for the fantastic photo review.
#285
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 4,896
ElevatorEnthusiast - great photos! I had to cancel my one reservation at the W Leicester Square due to COVID travel restrictions. Hope to make it there soon. Thanks for the fantastic photo review.