Aug 8, 2019, 6:37 am
Great Northern Hotel, Tribute Portfolio - London, UK [Master Thread]
Oct 13, 2018, 12:55 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
On my nights in London I would never consider staying in a lounge to drink, but horses for courses! The base rooms at the GNH look too small for a multi-night stay, but Plats are reliably upgraded and the combo of good F&B and great service makes this a frequent choice of mine for multi day stays - second choice at the mid London price point behind the Sheraton Grand Park Lane (sometimes GNH is prices the same, sometimes Ł150 a night less).
Last edited by EuropeanPete; Oct 14, 2018 at 2:11 am
Oct 13, 2018, 7:20 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO/MIA/JFK
Programs: AA EXP/*wood Plat/Hilton Gold/Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 289
Again, if you want all the ‘free’ ‘my status gets me this or that or whatever’ then this is not the place for those types. It is the place for a unique property, well appointed rooms/hotel, Excellent food/drink, excellent transportation options, and the soon to be open Martini bar. Also, great outdoor seating for a sunny drink/coffee/snack.
Oct 14, 2018, 4:25 am
#93
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Accor Diamond
Posts: 253
I’ve stayed at this hotel twice. First time, the hotel was full and I kept the Couchette room I booked. Second time, I was upgraded to one of those showerless Cubitt room. I have to say I preferred the Couchette being alone. Definitely had more style even though it was smaller.
The pantry is nice and the breakfast is the best I had in a hotel outside of Asia. Beats any buffet for sure.
The pantry is nice and the breakfast is the best I had in a hotel outside of Asia. Beats any buffet for sure.
Oct 19, 2018, 12:44 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
The answer would depend on if the lounge and free alcohol is important for you in deciding where to stay. For me it is not that important as I don’t typically like large cookie cutter hotels and I like to get out of the lounge and experience local places. Different strokes for different folks! I will always prefer a breakfast option in the restaurant over a lounge and as long as I get water in the room I’m ok without a lounge. I actually don’t understand why anyone would spend longer than a couple of minutes in a lounge.
Oct 19, 2018, 12:51 pm
#96
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
That said, if you're someone who differentiates among quality levels in your freebies, you could argue that the value of the very high-quality breakfast at the GNH > the value of a mediocre lounge breakfast + evening happy hour. But that can also vary depending on purpose of trip, what else you're doing, how long you're staying, etc.
Oct 19, 2018, 12:58 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
I see what you are saying but there are also plenty of legacy SPG customers who look for all the freebies they can get (and indeed some of the more generous SPG properties give away a lot more in total value of elite freebies than the vast majority of legacy Marriott properties do).
That said, if you're someone who differentiates among quality levels in your freebies, you could argue that the value of the very high-quality breakfast at the GNH > the value of a mediocre lounge breakfast + evening happy hour. But that can also vary depending on purpose of trip, what else you're doing, how long you're staying, etc.
That said, if you're someone who differentiates among quality levels in your freebies, you could argue that the value of the very high-quality breakfast at the GNH > the value of a mediocre lounge breakfast + evening happy hour. But that can also vary depending on purpose of trip, what else you're doing, how long you're staying, etc.
And I have no doubt that MAR will be making those generous legacy SPG properties fall into line of their signature consistency, we're hearing the complaints from SPG members already.
Oct 19, 2018, 2:06 pm
#98
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
Of course, the world is too big to put everyone into 2 camps. But as a very small example: GNH vs the Renn across the street I think the difference is quite compelling and tells you a bit about each legacy company and the type of customers they were pleasing.
And I have no doubt that MAR will be making those generous legacy SPG properties fall into line of their signature consistency, we're hearing the complaints from SPG members already.
And I have no doubt that MAR will be making those generous legacy SPG properties fall into line of their signature consistency, we're hearing the complaints from SPG members already.
It would be the reverse scenario if you were comparing a Sheraton with Autograph.
Oct 20, 2018, 5:20 am
#99
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: somewhere north of stateside...
Posts: 4,152
Indeed, travelling solo and being reliably upgraded, I quite like the hotel. Kings Cross is great for getting around the city as well...
Feb 5, 2019, 2:48 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
(Yet) another good stay here, but disappointing to see that they've changed the TV so there's no longer the opening screen with a variety of free full movies. It's just TV channels now. What is notable is that their reception system has been updated, so the team is now very aware of Ambassador customers (not that I've ever been put in anything but the top category room in the last 2 years anyways).
Feb 5, 2019, 3:56 pm
#101
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Feb 5, 2019, 4:24 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
There's a new piece of paper to sign a la Marriott where you need to tick your preference - I've always thought this a bit tacky, but at least there's a paper trail given all the issues with the system. Choice of 1,000 points, breakfast, maybe something else? Nothing remarkable in any case. Honestly, getting a near guaranteed top level upgrade every single time is already pretty good going.
Feb 5, 2019, 5:06 pm
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
There's a new piece of paper to sign a la Marriott where you need to tick your preference - I've always thought this a bit tacky, but at least there's a paper trail given all the issues with the system. Choice of 1,000 points, breakfast, maybe something else? Nothing remarkable in any case. Honestly, getting a near guaranteed top level upgrade every single time is already pretty good going.
Feb 5, 2019, 5:19 pm
#104
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
No, the hotel has never done those. There were 4 (lovely) little chocolates on the table, but I’ve been getting something similar since the hotel opened.
Feb 5, 2019, 5:42 pm
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334