We followed in Mlle_Mustard's footsteps, staying there on Sunday night on a free night stay. I mostly chose it for the location, as it was a 10 minute walk back from the concert in Hyde Park Sunday. Sure beat lining up at a tube stop for an hour post-concert.

We had taken the first train from Paris Sunday, and were there really early, so we didn't expect to check in then. They said they could have room ready for us by 12 Noon (which was nice, as they said they were sold out all weekend) but all we really wanted to do was drop our bags and check out the city. Wound up in a 7th floor standard room overlooking the street and the Mandarin Oriental.

We had a nicely appointed room, but they missed a few cleaning details as well. Strange to have them supply a hair dryer that won't actually work in the bathroom. The TV was basic state-of-the-art 90's technology, and the VCR was a nice antique touch. Maybe the larger rooms are a bit more modern. The beds seem firm at first but sleep really well.

They asked what paper we wanted in the morning, but we never did get it.

We thought the location was great, with our roller bags the Knightsbridge tube was a 3 minute walk, then a straight shot back to St. Pancras. Maybe if you went to Hyde Park Corner instead it might take 10 minutes, but even that seems like a stretch.

Just to continue a prior topic, there were about $2,000,000 worth of vehicles sitting in the valet area and adjacent driveways/sidewalks. I'd love to be a valet there for a weekend, except for that driving-on-the-left thing.

We'd stay there again under similar circumstances, but certainly not at the $480 USD (and up) cash price they were asking.

We found the Sheraton Park Tower to be a very nice hotel, especially when using points. The only downsides were the smoke smell in the lobby and the $70+ breakfast. The breakfast is probably very good, but targeted towards those with large wallets.

Sheraton Park Tower London report August 2009
 

Preface: On my way to Krakow which leaves out of Gatwick daily only.

Status: Platinum.

Rate: Earned free night.

Transportation: I purchased a Oyster card at the LHR ticket booth for the underground. The deposit is 3 GBP and you can of course top up. Took the Piccadilly line in. Not sure about doing that again. Packed and very little ventilation. The Heathrow Express may be more to my liking. Conservative side says not.

Parking: n/a

Check-in: I had really been looking forward to returning here. I have stayed a couple of times paid in the past but the rates now are just crazy. I knew before I left SEA that I had been upgraded to Executive type room which is supposed to have better views.

At check-in the agent at least made a effort to check for a suite. Of course nothing. Then made "effort" to find the Executive room I knew I already had. That's when I kinda wondered about the effort. Another Plat next to me was really trying to work it. I ended up waiting over 90 minutes for the room to be cleaned. Finally walked up and got the keys after being told the agent would bring them to me in the bar. Service here is marginal. I called down for some information and the phone just rang and rang and rang. Now a alarm is going off for something down the hall.

Offered amenity and took points. Will probably have to fight for those.

Perks: Received newly renovated room on high floor with view of London eye and Hyde Park.

Lounge: None here but interesting they are circulating a survey asking Ps if we would like one.

Room: The rooms have been described before. The inside has been totally redone but of course the shell is the same. Not real modern but stylish for today. The wrap around desk and sofa are against the window. There are numerous ports near the desk to a/v input to the flat panel tv and a whole host of outlets for electricity. There is one bottle of comp water in the frig.

Bathroom: These have been redone and have Molton Brown small size amenities. There is a separate shower and tub with a single basin sink. Have two robes and slippers so not bad.

Internet: Internet was 18 GBP for 24 hours. I am tired so bought the package for 30 GBP and watching the Bond film for the millionth time. Gonna find food and get to sleep because need to be out of here early.

Gym: Assume there is one somewhere.

Spa: ?

Eating venues: Had a drink in the bar while waiting. Interesting just sitting there and watching people.

Local markets: Discussed before.

Local area: Also discussed.

Negatives: No economic slowdown here. The place is packed and that is good. I think service is marginal at best. I have little things left around the room and the clock is set now at 3 PM which it is not. The hotel remains dated and of course not the perfect location. I do not expect much from hotels in London and this is why. Worth the experience.

Closing: Would not stay again. Been here and done that. Again. Regards from LHR.

I ordered room service and the food was bland.

The design of the hotel makes this place noisey. It reminds me of being in a Vegas casino hotel with people yelling down the halls. Ready to leave.

Hotel to Gatwick Express
 

Took a cab from the Hotel to Victoria Station. 8 GBP on a early Saturday morning. 7:20 AM flight. At LGW you need to know your terminal. Breaking to North or South terminal. I was on BA so North. You can buy a ticket from on the platform from a agent. I think my return ticket was like 28 GBP.

After a bunch of misconnects, including waiting an hour or so in the middle of the day for an upper floor executive room with a good view which turned out to be too smoky, I was upgraded to a Butler floor and offered the choice to pay GBP 60 for butler service (incl breakfast) or nothing for no special service. I elected nothing. Their official new policy is that having renovated the butler rooms, making for another closet, media center including flat screen TV, and desk along window, allowing for more interior space (no changes to bathroom, except handrail in shower and vanity mirror change), they will NOT UG plats to Bulter rooms w/o charging GBP 60 over Executive Room.

The beds, pillows, sheets, are still among the best, IMO, as is the location.

I failed to mention that. I was on a Butler floor but no one ever called. I am resigned that if on award or like that I am not going to get the service like in VIE at the Imperial. I find I am missing little anyways.

I think the newly renovated rooms are only on the Butler floors (2).

The new policy if you get that kind of UG, is that you don't get Bulter sercive/benefits, w/o paying the GBP n60/night. I am surprised you weren't given the option. That was not the old policy, and I have had two great UGs here: one to Butler floor with full Butler service and one to an Executive flor suite with HP view.

No option. Not that I would have been open to the offer anyways.

I think that's a very reasonable option, however in multiple stays I've never managed to get upgraded to a Butler floor...

It's downstairs. I believe 24/7. Decent size with a good array of quality weight machines, some bikes, treadmills.

I alway SPT a better priced alternative to The Dorchester, Berkley, Mandarin, Lanesborough, but certainly not at the same level in service or decor, particularly the drab bar area. That said, views from the higher rooms are really spectacular, and I have always seemed to do well with upgrades from cheapest booked rate.

RTWSTARALLIANCE thanks for your report

Commenting on it becuase it seems a photocopy of the reward night I had a few days ago

Not the first time at the sheraton park tower and "the hotel is marginal at best" simply sums it up.

The location is amazing - next to KNIGHTSBRIDGE tube so ideal for LHR. Next to Harvey Nics so some amazing shopping to be done at 50 metres but until they have to fight for their customers they can continue selling a 5 star product with a 3 star service

Not good SPG / platinium recognition (this is virtually none)..:td:

I'd like to ask the lurkers a question about the upgrade without butler service.

In another thread William wrote that if you get upgraded to a room that includes a service or amenity in the description for a paid stay(he was writing in reference to club lounge access) that you are entitled to that in an upgrade situation. I realize that doesn't apply to a tower "hotel within a hotel" property but the tower in the Sheraton Park Tower name refers to the building, not a "tower" property. Therefore, shouldn't butler service be included?

I'm just curious. It doesn't matter that much to me since in my multiple stays here I've never been upgraded.

Seeing as how butlered floors are sometimes omitted from the complimentary upgrade pool at St. Regis properties, I don't think it will apply.

If someone gets upgraded to one and is denied butler service, we can certainly look into it further, however.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Status : Plat

Rate : Award Stay

Stay : The staff at checkin were quite nice. No upgrade, no plat perks at the hotel, no points or amentity was offered (do you get those on points stay?). Room is very dated and old. Regular crt in the room (what 5* hotel still has those??). Bathroom is large, but awkward shower. Air conditioner was extremely loud and just stopped working - not a huge problem since the room had already cooled down.

Not at all impressed with this hotel and if I was paying the regular rate of 200 + quid/night I would have walked out.

Room # : 405