John M.
Yelp
I'm am very torn as I write this. So many qualities of this hotel warrant a much more favorable rating, but some of the basics, they just can't get right.
The Bad:
Checked into the hotel, got to my room, and it was blistering hot. Granted it was an unusually warm summers day in London, but the AC, she was not working. However, "someone" must have known since the window was kept open. Called down to the front desk, they sent someone up, confirmed it was indeed broken. The offered solution was to move me to a smaller room for the night, then to another room the next day. While I appreciated there was a solution, having to unpack, pack, then unpack again is just a flat out pain. I will give them some credit for trying to be apologetic, but a simple "Sir, I know it's been a long night for you. Could I send up a bottle of wine to help ease the edge" or "I know it's late, but if you haven't eaten, I'll gladly send something up to help get you well rested". I mean, it was 12:30am am by the time I got to a different room and settled. A small gesture, which couldn't be more than £10, would have gone a long way.
Coffee Maker - what else? Of course it was not functioning in the new room. By this time, with yet another equipment failure, I just couldn't be bothered. I'm no hotel operations expert, but isn't there some sort of "room readiness" check or something?
The Heavy Handed Waiter - don't know his name, but there's a youngish looking guy with a tattoo on his neck that has the biggest, heaviest Hulk-hands ever. Setting the tableS (yes, many of them, ALL morning) next to me, he was just slamming the plates and silverware down like they owed him money. Thanks for the morning wake up call, mate.
DO NOT DISTURB - worse offense yet. Had the DND sign hanging on my door this afternoon. It's my first day of this business trip that I could sit and relax a bit and maybe have a nap. Heard a tap (not in the poetic Allen Poe sense) at the door. "Room service" a voice said. Then another tap. "Room service". Then...door OPENS. I was just getting to sleep. What good is the do not disturb sign? And...if the sign was there, does this hotel normally just enter rooms when the guest clearly doesn't want anyone to enter (whether the guest is present or not)??!?!?
The Good:
- The night manager was apologetic, but again, missed an opportunity to show how service can shine.
- Hotel property is quite lovely, well kept and updated, and in a very nice part of town near Regent's Park and the Bond St station.
- Lobby service - the gents down in the lobby have been very helpful and always good spirited, without being over the top.
- Breakfast - as continental breakfast go, very nice selection of meats, cheeses, juice, and breads. Just right for brekkie.