Helps with us that we usually stay midweek at the Sofitel and they often have sales. Peppers Waynouth always seems to be Red Hot Rooms no matter what time of the year or day of the week. We haven’t stayed there since it was refurbished but the points earn is poor and we like the Sofitel so just pay whatever it costs.
Completely agree here, it depends on a number of factors, location, quality, price, etc. With that being said I'll generally check Accor first for Asia Pacific and Europe since they are prevalent in those markets and often serve as a good benchmark. However, sometimes even then I won't find something that works and end up having to go with another chain. For instance, I need a hotel when I'm back in Australia on May 26. I checked Accor and the only decent hotel I could find was well north of $300. Meanwhile I flip to IHG and see I can book the Kimpton for 35,000 IHG points ($150 USD/night) which arguably is better than most Accor properties in Sydney Centreville.
), 1 coke, 1 Diet Coke. Again annoying as yesterday was actually warm enough to sit out!
I'm happy to stay midweek and am flexible in when I travel. Have been trying to plan a trip to Adelaide for a while and would like to stay at the Sofitel, but every time I start planning the rates are quite high.
Interestingly I stayed at the Indigo and the Mercure side honoured my drink voucher. Funny how two 'competing' hotels have a secret passage between. I was given an additional drink voucher as the room was not yet ready so they encouraged me to relax at the barProperty: Mercure London Hyde Park
Room booked: reception informed me I'd booked 'a suite'. No way would it be called a 'suite' in Australia but it's quite nice, and not cupboard-sized although not huge either. I was given the 'Sapphire Suite' and fortuitously the wallpaper matches the colour of my luggage!
Room upgraded/type: apparently not
Rate: Advance purchase Fully flexible
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Drink voucher (although when I tried to use it in the restaurant it was declined and I was told 'valid in the bar only'), 2 cardboard bottles of still water, 1 small can OJ, 1x175ml Sauv Blanc (not in fridge
Early check in/late out: n/a
Access to executive lounge (if existing): no lounge
General comments:
Having the drink voucher refused in the restaurant was super annoying. Apparently this hotel and the Indigo it backs on to 'share' the restaurant and don't honour each other's drink vouchers. Stupid way to lose customer goodwill for the price of a glass of house wine or beer. I went and had dinner elsewhere, so the hotel lost the price of the meal too.
My room has a cute balcony overlooking a nice little square and the balcony has furniture on it but access is prohibited 'for safety and security'
Apart from those annoyances I quite like the room. The bathroom is lovely and has a heated floor which keeps the whole room at 23 degrees with no other heating - in fact I had to turn on the cooling during the night.
The first thing I had to do on entering the room was disable the Alexa spy system which has been installed ostensibly for guest convenience of being able to give verbal commands about lights, room service etc. Sorry but the idea of a device sitting in the corner of the room and listening to everything I say creeps me out. And it obviously is listening because otherwise how does it know to come to life at the word Alexa?
There were bright electronic panels that kept shining into the room even at night - luckily I was only here for one night because that is a deal breaker for me. I haven't needed a nightlight since I was six years old.
Would I stay again? I think I prefer the Indigo where I have stayed once before. There is also a Hilton. The vicinity is Paddington Station for those unfamiliar with London, so it's convenient for the Heathrow Express. View attachment 326670View attachment 326671View attachment 326672View attachment 326673
). Lounge has tea and cakes 3pm to 5pm and drinks and canapes from 5:3pm to 7:30pm (including a selection of coughtails and wine (wasn't game to try it)).
Keen to see your review of that.
Was unaware of the hotel shuttle. I ended up taking the tram which is one stop (meaning you don't need to pay since no one's gonna be checking tickets on a tram on a one stop). Will keep that in mind though next time I'm in Zürich
Property: Mercure London Hyde Park
Room booked: reception informed me I'd booked 'a suite'. No way would it be called a 'suite' in Australia but it's quite nice, and not cupboard-sized although not huge either. I was given the 'Sapphire Suite' and fortuitously the wallpaper matches the colour of my luggage!
Room upgraded/type: apparently not
Rate: Advance purchase Fully flexible
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Drink voucher (although when I tried to use it in the restaurant it was declined and I was told 'valid in the bar only'), 2 cardboard bottles of still water, 1 small can OJ, 1x175ml Sauv Blanc (not in fridge
Early check in/late out: n/a
Access to executive lounge (if existing): no lounge
General comments:
Having the drink voucher refused in the restaurant was super annoying. Apparently this hotel and the Indigo it backs on to 'share' the restaurant and don't honour each other's drink vouchers. Stupid way to lose customer goodwill for the price of a glass of house wine or beer. I went and had dinner elsewhere, so the hotel lost the price of the meal too.
My room has a cute balcony overlooking a nice little square and the balcony has furniture on it but access is prohibited 'for safety and security'
Apart from those annoyances I quite like the room. The bathroom is lovely and has a heated floor which keeps the whole room at 23 degrees with no other heating - in fact I had to turn on the cooling during the night.
The first thing I had to do on entering the room was disable the Alexa spy system which has been installed ostensibly for guest convenience of being able to give verbal commands about lights, room service etc. Sorry but the idea of a device sitting in the corner of the room and listening to everything I say creeps me out. And it obviously is listening because otherwise how does it know to come to life at the word Alexa?
There were bright electronic panels that kept shining into the room even at night - luckily I was only here for one night because that is a deal breaker for me. I haven't needed a nightlight since I was six years old.
Would I stay again? I think I prefer the Indigo where I have stayed once before. There is also a Hilton. The vicinity is Paddington Station for those unfamiliar with London, so it's convenient for the Heathrow Express. View attachment 326670View attachment 326671View attachment 326672View attachment 326673
