BillBurn

I wouldn't count on a free suite upgrade at Grosvenor House even though April is a little slower than mid-summer. They offer suites for points plus very high supplements so I don't they would give one away unless they are empty.. You never know, but I wouldn't count on it. When I stayed there with my family (children very close to the same age, they just upgraded one room to a nicer view. I am LTPP and have stayed there on business several times and never been upgraded to a suite (although I never made a point of asking either).

Overall, I think it's going to be very hard to find a room in central london for 4 on straight points. Most of the hotels in town will offer bigger rooms, but only for points plus a supplement.

I do see on the website that the new Residence Inn is offering a 1 BR suite with a Sofa bed for 35K/night. I don't know what kind of reviews that hotel is getting but at least it is brand new and 35K for a suite seems like a good deal, maybe too good a deal.

traub9556

Thanks for your insights! We'll definitely take a look at that Residence Inn. Other option, I guess, is booking two points rooms that are connecting...

For hotels that don't offer Concierge Lounges, does anyone know if breakfast is usually provided for Plat Premiers?

SPSTiger

Last year, I stayed with the family at St. Ermin's Hotel with 2 younger kids (6 and 4 at the time). I was old MR Platinum at the time. No CL but we were provided free buffet breakfast in the restaurant every day with both hot and cold options. Items could be ordered a la carte off the breakfast menu for extra which we did towards the end of our stay as the buffet selection didn't change from day to day.

Location-wise, it was great for us. Right on top of a tube stop and just a few minute walk to Westminster Abbey/Parilament/Big Ben.

hockeyinsider

Every property in London will provide breakfast for yourself and one other person, except the Design and Edition properties.

hockeyinsider

Indeed. St. Ermin's has an excellent location for sightseeing in the heart of touristy London, but the rooms are very, very small. I presume the gentleman needs, at the minimum, one room with double queen-sized beds; one bed for the parents and one bed for the kids.

traub9556

Yes, you're correct. We need at least a room with two double beds.

Anyone have any experience with the Marriott Marble Arch with kids? Rate seems pretty good with minimal extra charges and they have a lounge...but wasn't sure about the property itself and its location?

Thanks!

hockeyinsider

Just remember that any hotel that wants to be a stickler will limit your lounge access to just your wife. More generally, there are some properties that restrict access to children, especially at night when alcohol is served.

dayone

St. Ermin's also offers Family Rooms. Two queens, a daybed and two bathrooms. IIRC, there is one on each floor.

hockeyinsider

I don't know the surcharge for the family room, but a "deluxe" room with 2 queen-sized beds is 120 British pounds per night on top of the 200,000 points for a 5-night stay.

For almost the same amount of money (174 British pounds per night) you can get a 1-bedroom suite with 1 sofa bed at the relatively new Residence Inn. That's a better value because you're not burning 200,000 point. Alternatively, a "deluxe" "family room" with 2 queen-sized beds and a balcony is 186 British pounds per night at the London Marriott Regents Park.

A similar room is even cheaper (146 British pounds per night) at London Marriott Maida Vale. If you're willing to pay 209 British pounds per night at the Maida Vale property you get 10,000 bonus points and breakfast for two guests in the hotel restaurant on top of breakfast in the lounge for two guests. Or you could splurge for the 2-bedroom "presidential suite" at 424 British pounds per night.

catocony

Just get two rooms at Marriott Kensington or Maida Vale.

steveholt

Is this the Residence Inn London Bridge or London Kensington?

catocony

Probably RI Kensington, which just recently opened.

EuropeanPete

traub9556

Thanks BillBurn. Do you know if the sofa beds pull out into a full bed (that can sleep two kids)? The occupancy on the rooms do not list 4 people, so I was concerned if these sofas pull out into full beds or not? Also, has anyone stayed at this hotel? And if so, I'd love to hear a report (location, rooms, breakfast, etc.). We're also looking at some of the other suggested options (Maida Vale, Regents Park, Marble Arch, West India Quay), but we ideally want to be pretty close to the center of the city as we're only going to be there for a few days, so not sure about staying further out. Would welcome any thoughts on how far out of the city these are...

Thanks!

hockeyinsider

Do not stay at West India Quay.