I wanted to like this hotel, I really did. But it didn’t work out that way.
The first thing that struck me as odd is that reception is on the 4th floor, with a small concierge desk on the ground. No big deal, but odd. Once in reception I was impressed at the large open spaces, of reception itself, and the bar and restaurant area too. It’s very well set out and the internal decoration incredible, opulent even. Full marks to the interior design team.
Check in was swift and helpful enough, and the lift to my floor quick. As soon as I set foot in my room I realised how cold it was, and I set to getting the heating on. Nothing. I fiddled with the controls and was sure I had it set correctly, but still no heat or “whoosh” or hum from any fan. A quick call to reception advised me to reset the room electrics by pulling my room key out, waiting a short time and trying again, but to no avail. A second call to reception informed me they’d get the maintenance man to come and have a look, so I waited for him, in the cold.
It was at this point I noticed the noise from the traffic on the main road outside, which despite this being a new hotel the noise was quite bad, albeit at rush hour. It did quieten down later, thankfully.
The maintenance man didn’t turn up and after ten minutes I made my third call to reception, to be told he had apparently made alterations at some control panel. Thanks for letting me know ! As there was no discernible difference to the room temperature, reception agreed he would call in person, which was what I thought he was supposed to do I the first place. I eventually realised that the vent at the top of the wall was becoming warmer, but not enough to heat the room properly. At this point, the helpful, friendly maintenance man arrived, and informed me that the heating WAS on, it would just take a while to heat the room ! At this point it had probably been about an hour since I arrived and the room was marginally warmer, but not yet comfortable. “It’ll heat up eventually” he cheerily informed me. Well, thanks for that.
I then went for some dinner, leaving my room to heat up. Apparently. My employer has a standard £25 allowance for evening meals in hotels, regardless of type or location. This should be enough for a two course meal, with soft drinks, in theory. Maybe elsewhere, but not in this hotel ! A very pricey menu, with mostly unappealing items in my view. The only items I fancied, I couldn’t afford via my allowance. So bar menu then. Cheaper, but also very poor selection, the burger being the only thing I actually wanted to eat. When I ordered, the server asked for my room number, then said I can’t, as I hadn’t authorised any extras. I don’t have to says I , I have an allowance. “No, you don’t” came the reply. After a bit of toing and froing, screen shots of my reservation on my phone, I was eventually asked to email my original booking to reception. I’ve never needed to do this in dozens of hotel bookings over the years. The burger was OK after all that, and I noticed two other table of single business travellers were also eating burgers, presumably all they could afford and want to eat on their allowance, too.
My bed wasn’t particularly comfortable, and although the bathroom is nice and spacious, my loo faced a wall and I ended up with my face pressed against it when using said facility. Very poor design, they should have go the reception designer to design the bathroom layout !
Breakfast was the usual hotel offering.
So poor communication, cold room, ineffectual heating, overpriced unappealing food offerings, noisy room, and uncomfortable loo. But the reception/bar/restaurant area is stunning !
Won’t be staying again.