The Wellesley Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel, London, UK [Master Thread]
Dec 17, 2018, 3:05 pm
#46
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Staying over MLK weekend. Figured it's worth a shot at the 60K/point level.
Below is what my rez booked into. I will not be happy if I end up in a Queen accessible...I am currently waiting w/SNAs. Will be tempted to switch actually to a different hotel if I see SNA availability somewhere else.
Room Description
Deluxe Non-smoking: King Bed•215 sq ft/20 sq m - 269 sq ft/25 sq m
Below is what my rez booked into. I will not be happy if I end up in a Queen accessible...I am currently waiting w/SNAs. Will be tempted to switch actually to a different hotel if I see SNA availability somewhere else.
Room Description
Deluxe Non-smoking: King Bed•215 sq ft/20 sq m - 269 sq ft/25 sq m
Jan 22, 2019, 10:15 am
#47
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Short summary - amazing service, great location, probably wouldn't pay Cat 8 points
Had a good stay overall here, just came back from three nights. SNA cleared though I annoyingly had to fight for it a bit at check-in (Marriott making my reservation disappear from me, even though my Amb/rep could see it, only compounded the issue). To summarize:
Pros:
Was a great chance to try out for 60K points/night, but I'm not paying 85K in the future when there are so many other good Cat 7 properties.
Had a good stay overall here, just came back from three nights. SNA cleared though I annoyingly had to fight for it a bit at check-in (Marriott making my reservation disappear from me, even though my Amb/rep could see it, only compounded the issue). To summarize:
Pros:
- Impeccable service (light occupancy helped), it felt like a 1:1 ratio between guests and staff
- It is definitely a boutique property - nice if you don't want to see hundreds of other guests roaming around
- Good location right by the Hyde Park Corner tube / bus stop, can take the Piccadilly straight from LHR for cost savings
- Having the butler service is nice - wake-up coffee/tea every day. Didn't use any other services.
- Free ride in a 7-series within 1.5 miles - driver was great, nice guy
- Finishings of the room are quite nice; bathroom was fantastic and almost as big as the room
- Didn't use them, but have a nice cigar bar / regular bar
- SNA did clear to a Jr. Suite w/ a Hyde Park view
- Breakfast is similar to PDG (maybe a bit more) - continental (fruit, yogurt, toast, muffins/pastries, cereal, etc.) but nothing hot. Complies to the letter of the law, but not going above and beyond.
- No gym - they will drive you to a local one but you have to pay the 25 GBP on your own
- Rooms are tiny...base is 250-280, my upgraded Jr. Suite was 330, even the full 1BR suite is 420. So don't go expecting space.
- I know SNAs are out of the hotel's hands...but 3 suites / suites with a park view (different categories) were bookable for the full 3 days each at check-in, and I know they were available for a further cash upgrade...whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am one who has been highly successful and happy w/SNAs since they launched
- Location is "central" but you're a 5 minute walk from any shops/restaurants (which is not far)...I think I'd rather just stay in Mayfair/Marylebone/Fitzrovia or thereabouts next time to be more in the action (but YMMV)
Was a great chance to try out for 60K points/night, but I'm not paying 85K in the future when there are so many other good Cat 7 properties.
Jan 22, 2019, 10:28 am
#48
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Short summary - amazing service, great location, probably wouldn't pay Cat 8 points
- I know SNAs are out of the hotel's hands...but 3 suites / suites with a park view (different categories) were bookable for the full 3 days each at check-in, and I know they were available for a further cash upgrade...whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am one who has been highly successful and happy w/SNAs since they launched
As for the lack of upgrade beyond your SNA junior suite, I’d say that’s a bigger issue for the hotel recognizing your Ambassador elite status than with the SNA process. It’s perfectly appropriate IMO for a small boutique hotel like this to keep its top end suites unavailable for the general SNA and complimentary Platinum upgrade pool, especially since giving one of those away on the first of 3 nights precludes such a small hotel from selling those suites for 3 nights. For your average Platinum guest, that’s more than appropriate to my mind.
But for someone with Ambassador status, one might expect a little better elite treatment and special priority for such an elevated upgrade. That this hotel doesn’t seem inclined to treat an Ambassador guest any better would preclude many from bothering with this hotel as an option.
Between the very small size of the even upgraded rooms and junior suite and the lack of better Ambassador treatment with better suites available, I likely won’t bother here and probably will stick with my London favorite: the nearby Halkin by COMO.
A shame. But the hotel is entitled to do what it sees best, just as elite cusomters can do the same. We have to vote with our wallets and hope the hotel management thinks differently in due course.
Jan 22, 2019, 12:01 pm
#49
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I blame Marriott somewhat for the IT CF with the SNA, that is on them. I think I was penalized there.
But I was also a bit disappointed at the lack of any Ambassador guest recognition or the like.
But I was also a bit disappointed at the lack of any Ambassador guest recognition or the like.
Jan 22, 2019, 12:07 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: HGP Globalist, SPG P100, Hilton Dia
Posts: 425
Short summary - amazing service, great location, probably wouldn't pay Cat 8 points
Had a good stay overall here, just came back from three nights. SNA cleared though I annoyingly had to fight for it a bit at check-in (Marriott making my reservation disappear from me, even though my Amb/rep could see it, only compounded the issue). To summarize:
Pros:
Was a great chance to try out for 60K points/night, but I'm not paying 85K in the future when there are so many other good Cat 7 properties.
Had a good stay overall here, just came back from three nights. SNA cleared though I annoyingly had to fight for it a bit at check-in (Marriott making my reservation disappear from me, even though my Amb/rep could see it, only compounded the issue). To summarize:
Pros:
- Impeccable service (light occupancy helped), it felt like a 1:1 ratio between guests and staff
- It is definitely a boutique property - nice if you don't want to see hundreds of other guests roaming around
- Good location right by the Hyde Park Corner tube / bus stop, can take the Piccadilly straight from LHR for cost savings
- Having the butler service is nice - wake-up coffee/tea every day. Didn't use any other services.
- Free ride in a 7-series within 1.5 miles - driver was great, nice guy
- Finishings of the room are quite nice; bathroom was fantastic and almost as big as the room
- Didn't use them, but have a nice cigar bar / regular bar
- SNA did clear to a Jr. Suite w/ a Hyde Park view
- Breakfast is similar to PDG (maybe a bit more) - continental (fruit, yogurt, toast, muffins/pastries, cereal, etc.) but nothing hot. Complies to the letter of the law, but not going above and beyond.
- No gym - they will drive you to a local one but you have to pay the 25 GBP on your own
- Rooms are tiny...base is 250-280, my upgraded Jr. Suite was 330, even the full 1BR suite is 420. So don't go expecting space.
- I know SNAs are out of the hotel's hands...but 3 suites / suites with a park view (different categories) were bookable for the full 3 days each at check-in, and I know they were available for a further cash upgrade...whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am one who has been highly successful and happy w/SNAs since they launched
- Location is "central" but you're a 5 minute walk from any shops/restaurants (which is not far)...I think I'd rather just stay in Mayfair/Marylebone/Fitzrovia or thereabouts next time to be more in the action (but YMMV)
Was a great chance to try out for 60K points/night, but I'm not paying 85K in the future when there are so many other good Cat 7 properties.
Just three questions
1. Did the smoke smell bother you?
2. What happened to the rolls Royce?
3. When does the chauffeur drop off operate?
Thanks again!
Jan 22, 2019, 2:15 pm
#51
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Smoke a non issue. And I am sensitive to it. Didn’t even really smell it in the cigar room too much.
It was outside but maybe just for show? 7er did the driving.
1.5 mile radius. They will check.
It was outside but maybe just for show? 7er did the driving.
1.5 mile radius. They will check.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:04 pm
#52
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This is a myth. The terms and conditions explicitly state properties without a lounge have to provide "breakfast" in the restaurant, not a "continental" or "buffet" breakfast but "breakfast" thereby implying the eligible elite-status guest will have a choice. Moreover, the culture of hoteliers in the United Kingdom is to provide a hot breakfast. So, this property isn't just failing to meet the standards of Marriott's terms and conditions, but is below the standard of every 3 star or better British hotel.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:42 pm
#53
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This is a myth. The terms and conditions explicitly state properties without a lounge have to provide "breakfast" in the restaurant, not a "continental" or "buffet" breakfast but "breakfast" thereby implying the eligible elite-status guest will have a choice. Moreover, the culture of hoteliers in the United Kingdom is to provide a hot breakfast. So, this property isn't just failing to meet the standards of Marriott's terms and conditions, but is below the standard of every 3 star or better British hotel.
I think people get a little carried away with what constitutes a breakfast. If a continental breakfast offering doesn’t meet some definitions, I assume some won’t want to stay here.
I’d prefer a full American breakfast, of course. But I’ve suffered the indignity of less at many otherwise excellent hotels. And at boutique luxury hotels, in particular, I’ve had many continental breakfast offerings without “hot” items.
Last edited by bhrubin; Jan 23, 2019 at 12:01 am
Jan 22, 2019, 11:00 pm
#54
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I would have loved a Full English daily for sure. But I didn’t walk away hungry. And just left more room for pies and fish n chips later.
Breakfast is further down down in terms of some of the limitations of this property for me personally.
Breakfast is further down down in terms of some of the limitations of this property for me personally.
Jan 23, 2019, 8:48 am
#55
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Every hotel that I've ever stayed at in the United Kingdom that includes breakfast, either complimentary or as part of a special rate, has offered a full cooked breakfast on top of the light, continental buffet. This includes family-owned 3-star hotels in Northumberland to inns above pubs in Kent. Even some of the legacy Marriott properties typically have more cooked or hot options -- even in the concierge/club/executive lounge -- than comparable legacy Marriott properties in North America.
Jan 23, 2019, 9:33 am
#56
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Ok, so now we know. This property offers elites a cont'l breakfast vs. full English. For those whom a full English is a deal-breaker they can stay at other properties. For those whom the cont'l is fine, they can still consider this property. Moving on...
Cheers.
Cheers.