Great Northern Hotel, Tribute Portfolio - London, UK [Master Thread]
#76
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- The bathroom was incredible BUT it only had a tub and no shower and the tub had one of those european hand wand shower heads and NO shower curtain so it meant sitting in the tub which I hate! (I lived in the UK for a while and have traveled extensively in Europe so it wasn't something I was total unaccustomed to but it is not my favorite way to wash up.)
FWIW: I've had 3 different cubitt rooms there, each had unique bathroom layouts, but all had full showers. I love the Malin + Goetz soaps (but I fear Marriott will make them switch to China-made knockoffs)
#77
Join Date: Jul 2003
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[QUOTE=itsaboutthejourney;30293054I love the Malin + Goetz soaps (but I fear Marriott will make them switch to China-made knockoffs)[/QUOTE]
+1...maybe there is hope since it's a Tribute Hotel and thus not required to stick to the Marriott cookie cutter crap.
+1...maybe there is hope since it's a Tribute Hotel and thus not required to stick to the Marriott cookie cutter crap.
#78
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
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Fully agree with your review, great little hotel and excellent service on top of a prefect location.
FWIW: I've had 3 different cubitt rooms there, each had unique bathroom layouts, but all had full showers. I love the Malin + Goetz soaps (but I fear Marriott will make them switch to China-made knockoffs)
FWIW: I've had 3 different cubitt rooms there, each had unique bathroom layouts, but all had full showers. I love the Malin + Goetz soaps (but I fear Marriott will make them switch to China-made knockoffs)
Though I will say, I am looking forward to when this hotel is moved to the Marriott booking engine, as opposed to the current system of Marriott.com sending you over to a shell of SPG.com to book, since this may be an attractive property at which to use points or cash to upgrade to a higher room category on a points booking, which many Marriott properties readily offer on the website without needing to call to book. This hotel already offered some unique points booking options for the higher room categories through SPG (moreso than many SPG properties did), though requiring a call, so hopefully they'll continue to offer lots of options in that way, and perhaps at a better deal than what used to be possible.
(I am not otherwise looking forward to the switchover of the booking engine since it will presumably cause at least as many IT problems as the loyalty engine switchover did, probably more given that the booking engine switch will potentially disrupt existing bookings, but there will at least be some tiny silver linings...)
#79
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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You should be glad it's as nice as it is now. Not long ago, this part of London was much rougher. I believe at one point there were bawdy houses and sex shops. It has gentrified a lot in the last 5-7 years.
#80
Join Date: Dec 2008
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#81
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EDITION uses Le Labo (New York brand, product of Canada). I've received from Autograph collection and European FS Marriotts (in suites) Gilchrist & Soames (UK brand, product of USA), etc. I've even received real Thann in Japanese FS MR. I think the likelihood that Marriott will make them switch is pretty low.
#82
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 610
Though I will say, I am looking forward to when this hotel is moved to the Marriott booking engine, as opposed to the current system of Marriott.com sending you over to a shell of SPG.com to book, since this may be an attractive property at which to use points or cash to upgrade to a higher room category on a points booking, which many Marriott properties readily offer on the website without needing to call to book.
#83
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Marriott is mandating dispensers in some of its brands, although I believe for now this is confined to limited-service brands. I could see soft brands like Tribute and Autograph Collection be given the green light for dispensers.
#84
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
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Sadly I don't see any upgraded room categories bookable on points online, but maybe that will come at a later date. Presumably the properties are still going through various transitions getting used to the new system first. And though I don't have any Tribute bookings right now, hopefully the system transition went smoothly for anyone who does.
#85
Join Date: Feb 2004
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It’s a great hotel in so many ways, but if one gets caught up in all the ‘status’ requirements at this hotel, then one is missing everything else that makes this place...
#86
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
In 4-5 stays over the span of a few years, I have never failed to be upgraded to a Cubitt room yet (touch wood).
Attractive option if you need good transport links. Breakfast is one of the highlights of the hotel, as it's all completely made to order and high quality. I also always appreciate the classy and well-executed interior design.
Attractive option if you need good transport links. Breakfast is one of the highlights of the hotel, as it's all completely made to order and high quality. I also always appreciate the classy and well-executed interior design.
#87
Join Date: Feb 2008
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I’m surprised the restaurant never got a Michelin star. There are definitely worse starred restaurants in London.
The new bar bar should be open any day now, so that should also become an attraction.
The new bar bar should be open any day now, so that should also become an attraction.
#88
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The question remains, is this a practical option for anyone staying more than a single night, especially when the nearby Renaissance St. Pancras has a lounge with complimentary alcohol.
#89
Join Date: Jul 2003
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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.
#90
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
The corridor on the way to the Barlow Wing lift always had an unpleasant stench of the dishwasher and slightly off food.
The lounge was not bad for European standards, but I just can't get terribly excited about it in a city full of options like London.
At the same price, I would much rather GNH. The fact that GNH is usually at least £50 cheaper in my experience is just icing on the cake (and I can run down to the buzzy GNH bar and order a few cocktails and proper food with the difference in rate!)