DYKWIA

I've stayed there twice. Got an upgrade to a Chambers Room once, and an exec. Barlow room the other time. The Chambers room was one of the nicest rooms I've ever stayed in

The lounge is great also. We ended up sitting there all night on one night!

Tetly1967

Stayed twice - ugraded twice to larger Barlow room only - perfectly acceptable in one of the best Marriotts I've ever stayed in.

Echo the comments about the Chambers club - great place!

BostonFlyer1624

I'll be staying there shortly and can provide my experience.

fmkgb

Stayed once on a reward. Upgraded to large Barlow room. Guest room fairly small and ordinary but lounge was wonderful, however, I was not impressed (and surprised) by the quality of the wine and small selection of beers in the lounge.

DillMan

Stayed there a handful of times and this is one of the few hotels that really goes above and beyond with PP (and presumably plat) members. The Chambers upgrade is great, although a couple times I was upgraded to the executive suite - I can't remember the cute name for the room - and like that room just as much. As stated above, the lounge is great and the lounge attendants are top notch.

The only annoying aspect of their service is their insistence on escorting you to the room and explaining everything to you. I hate being rude and refusing the service, but generally when I check in to a hotel I want to go horizontal or refresh myself. I don't want to stand in a bathroom in close proximity to a stranger and discuss the virtues of their soap at length. Maybe I've just gotten cranky in my old age though.

thegoderic

I've probably stayed there 7 or 8 times and have had a Chambers room or suite on all except 1 of those.

Paradoxically, I really liked the Barlow room I was in. It was much more practical and efficient than the Chambers rooms, but they do have a certain Je ne sais quoin.

I've also perfected the brush off at reception to stop the escorting to the room, which helps my humour when arriving.

DYKWIA

Oh, and the front desk manager has come out to greet me both times. Slightly awkward, as I just want to get to the room

BostonFlyer1624

They walk you to your room? Interesting...

NYBanker

I stayed at this property in February 2012. For a mid-scale corporate-budget-friendly property in London, it wasn't too bad.

I posted a detailed visit report on my website (lots of pictures).

http://www.sitinfirst.com/?p=647

dudleydog

I emailed the hotel direct and was told as a plat I will have access to the chambers club, even if booked in a Barlow room.

SkiAdcock

That had been noted previously. But thanks for the reconfirmation.

It's the Golds that don't get access unless they're in a Chambers room.

Cheers.

placebo_68

Just back from a couple of day stay using rewards with the family. As a plat we were given 'club' access on both Barlow rooms.

Can strongly recommend this hotel, staff were first class and facilities are first class. There is a lower age limit on club access of 12 which helped keep my youngest on his best behavior. Lots of "If you misbehave they will raise the age limit" type blackmail. The staff were lovely with him.

The club has a very quite quiet vibe, nice for relaxing in with a good book and a glass of wine in the evening.

BostonFlyer1624

I recently had a chance to stay at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London after hearing so much about it. I figured I would write a quick trip report about it, exclusively for my fellow Marriott forum readers, as those reports in the "Trip Reports" sections are usually geared more towards air travel.

Quick note: Please excuse the photo quality - I used my iPhone and the pictures really don't do the hotel justice.

As I was being driven to the hotel down Euston Road in London, I really wasn't focused on my surroundings until we slowed down to turn into the hotel driveway. When we turned into the hotel, I literally spit out my coffee, and I wasn't even drinking any.

The hotel facade is stunningly gorgeous. Deep red and cream colored bricks adorn the hotel. The St. Pancras train station is attached to the far side of the hotel, but isn't overtly noticeable from the outside.


The main entrance...

The lobby of the hotel is also a testament to the time and money spent on renovations. Pearly blue metallic support beams line the wall in a classically modern twist on what the hotel looked like during the early twentieth century.


Service at the hotel was quite good and always pleasant. I found that the service in the Chambers Club (access is limited to those who pay for it in your room charge or are a Platinum member - Gold doesn't get you access here) was very particular in that they seemed to prefer to serve you rather than you serve yourself. For me personally, I enjoy a stiff pour of wine vs. those who abide by the two finger rule.

Tea is served from about noon to 5pm, followed by a quick change over, and then canapes, light appetizers, and cocktails are from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Drinks are available until 11:45pm everyday.


Another shot of the lounge area in the club...


Those who have access to the club have the option to each breakfast in it, or, as I preferred, in the hotel restaurant aptly named the Booking Office. I found that the breakfast (served until 11am on the weekends) was extremely well done. Options for breakfast include the standard English fare, ranging from fresh pastries, yogurt, and breads, to mushrooms, sausages, grilled tomatoes, and the option to order fresh eggs any way your heart desires.


For those that do not know, the hotel is divided into two. There are the 38 Chambers rooms, which more like suites - that feature high ceilings, tasteful artwork, and gorgeous color patterns that really define the whole theme of the hotel. These rooms usually retail for upwards of 500 GBP/night. I'd added a few pictures below from the Chambers wing.

The grand staircase is a sight to be seen on it's own...


This is the view looking down from the top of the staircase...


And here is a shot of the hallway and a random door leading to a Chambers suite...


Here is the door to the Gilbert Scott Suite...


The other part of the hotel is named the Barlow House. This is where the newly built 240+ rooms are located. Prices for this wing range from 199 GBP to 350 GBP per night. I chose not to add any pictures of the rooms from this wing as they are nothing out of the ordinary. The rooms could have been from any Marriott in the world and didn't have the same charm as the rest of the hotel. However, with that being said, the rooms were very clean and comfortable as expected. I remember reading an article from the New York Times that perfectly described the difference in rooms at this hotel, "The division is as stark as that of a plane: First Class up front, Economy Plus behind."

Overall, for anyone interested in seeing a unique hotel that is well done, I would recommend a visit to the St. Pancras...if not for a stay, at least for a cocktail and dinner in the Booking Office.

SkiAdcock

Thanks for the trip report & great pictures!

Cheers.

billycwhatup

Great pictures.

Two questions...

1. Anyone know that the hotel was in the pre-Renaissance days?
2. Any tales of platinum treatment? Upgrades?

Thinking about going with family (wife and two young kids) and would love to get a sense of the upgrade probability. Thansk.