Here's the situation: platinum elite and wife, flying to Heathrow next summer and planning to stay a couple of nights in London before boarding a cruise that departs from Dover. Neither of us has ever been to London before and know nothing of the city layout, "feel" of the various neighborhoods, etc. In general we prefer upscale-feeling hotels, enjoy a nice hotel restaurant, and prefer to be within walking distance of other nice places to eat and shop. Excellent customer service is my number one priority, though, and I will accept an older, less-nice place in a less convenient part of town in order to be treated well.

So where should we stay? The array of Marriotts in London is confusing to say the least, and there appears to be a wide range of prices. If you're familiar with London and the myriad Marriotts there, what would be your top three recommendations to me and why? How do they rate in terms of convenience from Heathrom? How should we get from the hotel to the cruise terminal (taxi, limo, etc.)? Any other tips?

I will say it before someone else does...do a search on London hotels in the forum since there are numerous posts on this topic.

I would personally recommend the Renaissance Chancery Court. Great upscale hotel (probably one of the best in the Marrriott chain I have ever stayed at! Yes, I stay at a lot of them!), good location within walking distance of the main shopping areas and 1 block away from an Underground station in case you don't want to walk. Restaurant was being renovated when I was there in March so I cannot comment on that. I was there on an award stay and will definitely go back again!

Agree with above about doing the reserach and although I am partial to the Chancery Court, given that you are a Platinum Elite and this is your first time in London -- Hands Down for me would be the County Hall with a vue room of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben -- Better yet -- try to secure an U/G for a room with a balcony with that vue -- no other hotel in London has it -- it is a Million $ or better yet Million GBP vue.

Nothing says London more than sitting on that Balcony -- assuming nice weather -- and having breakfast, lunch or dinner while admiring the vue, the River traffic and foot traffic below, or the London Eye Ferris wheel to your immediate right.

Enjoy your trip.

NJ

Try this thread as a primer on London Marriott hotels

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139154

I'd suggest hiring a driver to take you to Dover. A cab might not be comfortable, esp. with all the luggage you are likely to have; it's about an hour drive. I was in a group of eight last month heading out to Dover (Crystal Symphony) and we hired a 15 pax van - even with the extra space, once all of the luggage was loaded, it was pretty tight. I'd also suggest you stop in Canterbury on the way out and have lunch there and see the cathedral. I wasn't going on the cruise, so the driver was willing to take me back to London at no additional charge.

Renaissance Chancery Court! ^ Great location. Great service. Great decor.

Recently used the services of Airport Cars London, and would highly recommend. The proprietors, David and Vivienne, are extremely pleasant to deal with and accomodating. See: http://www.airportcarslondon.com

Thank you ALL for your inputs so far!

I had in fact done a search before posting my question, but ended up just as confused as I started. I figured that by posting the specifics of my situation I might get some more direct advice.

What I've been able to glean so far is that there are only two properties I should be considering: the Renaissance Chancery Court and the Marriott County Hall. The County Hall has better views but the Chancery Court is more elegant. In most other respects they are equal or at least comparable. Do I have that about right?

Thanks also for the advice on getting to Dover. We'll be flying Virgin Upper Class so our limo to the hotel is provided free of charge. It's getting from there to Dover that I'm concerned about. The Airport Cars London webpage is unclear--would they be able to handle such an excursion?

I would e-mail David and Vivienne and ask. David picked us up at the British Air business class arrivals lounge at Heathrow, and made everything so easy. In my experience, if you e-mail a question, they will promptly respond.

As to hotels, having stayed at the County Hall, and taken a tour of the Chancery Court, I think the differences are fairly pronounced. The County Hall has world class views, the Chancery Court does not. At the County Hall, if you succeed in getting the balcony upgrade, you will have one of the great hotel room views in the world. On the other hand, the service, furniture, and rooms at the Chancery Court will be, generally, superior, although the County Hall is not bad. Tough choice. It would be somewhat easier if you knew in advance you would get the balcony upgrade at the County Hall, but you won't (although you can just about be assured you will be upgraded to the view, if not the balcony.) On the other hand, if service, room, and furniture are of paramount importance to you, you would probably be happier at the Chancery Court. Either way, you probably can't go wrong.

I'd vote for County Hall for a first time visitor to London. I think that the location is hard to beat.

It's my third visit to London, my wife's second and my 10 year old son's first. We have one night between returning from a cruise and flying home. We have reservations at the Chancery Court, but now I'm wondering if it is worth the extra 5K points and 40 pounds to switch the reservation to a "Superior Room" at the County Hall:What do you think? I'm only a lowly silver, so chances for a balcony are virtually nil.

Dpends how many points in your account you have -- But I would say a definite yes!

First, there is a pool in the County Hall -- great for kids. Second there is a McDonalds, also, I think! Need I say more? Third, there are lots of street performers around the County Hall because of the London Eye -- and some typical tourist things that a kid would love, and finally, there is that view, that you would have from your room -- or when you walk out of your room.

As much as I love the Chancery Court -- and I do -- it is in a purely business area, no charm whatsoever. Great for old London hands, but come on, to walk out or stare out of your room and see Big Ben -- not to say, to just walk around that area, and then have a short stroll back to your hotel?

No comparison -- Go for the County Hall.

The Chancery Court will always be there, but your son's youth and inquisitiveness will not be.

Thanks for the insight. I burned 30K for the Chancery Court reservation (made in January), but then accumulated another 20K with the credit card.

I checked just a little while ago and found out that I can change the reservation to a Riverview room (not the balcony) at County Hall with definite access to the executive lounge (it's now on courtesy hold). What are the possibilities for additional upgrade for a Silver?

So I have two reservations for July 27 and will need to decide in the next two days (flying out on Monday to take the cruise) which to keep. Is the view and lounge access (and the other intangibles listed) worth the 40 pounds?

Honestly, the Balcony is slim to none as a Silver. It is only reserved for VIPs and Platinums to my knowledge. I don' t even think Golds get it unless, of course, they pay for it, or know someone who manages the hotel.

Riverview is fine, and don't feel too bad about the balcony, as I think there may be a total of 8 rooms or less with them. There are not that many of them on the building for some reason.

Also, remember that the County Hall is a Cat 7 and I think the Chancery is still a 6 -- in the same class as the Regents Park, etc. Go figure!

Take the kid to Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, the Tower, etc. and the Military museum -- pretty ambitious for 1 day, but then, if you can get him to come back, you will have him hooked on travel, like us oldsters!

We have two days in London before the cruise (burning HHonors points for the Waldorf), so fortunately we will have enough time to give my son a good taste for travel. I picked up the bug from my dad who was in the Air Force (even joined myself).

Is there an Executive Floor at the County Hall? Would this upgraded reward entitle us to a higher floor (better, but just short of balcony, view)?

I don't think there is an executive or concierge floor as such. The concierge lounge is not on the top floor. While the concierge lounge has no windows (or view), the breakfasts and snacks are somewhat better than the average (with table cloths and place settings at breakfast). I am guessing the upgraded award simply guarantees you the Thames view, but not a specific floor. I'm told that not all Thames view rooms have the Parliament/Big Ben view, but some have only the Thames/London Eye view. You will want one with the Parliament/Big Ben view. These rooms will also have a view of the London Eye. You may want to call the hotel direct to see whether they can block you into one before you leave. The phone number is on the Marriott website.