As I get older, the days and years really do seem to speed and the highlights become flashes of memories whereas the low points, the really low points in life seem to be set on slow motion torturing me even longer. That doesn’t seem quite far – 2019 has been a weird year that was full of high points for travel and low valleys personally with a job search and a family member’s illness.  I’ve been lax in posting, sorry for that, I’ll be better next year.

Trying to find a balance to an awesome work/travel life is never easy.  Hopefully you had a fantastic year of travel discoveries and are planning more adventures in 2020.  Fingers crossed, I’m back on the road and in the air much more next year. That said, there are still many posts to share about this year’s travel – the charming Wallace Collection of Art in London is one that I’m sure you’ll love as much as I do – look for that in a few weeks.

Prior Year Highlights

Read why I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but rather travel lists

Watch the NYE Fireworks in London that was a dream experience

Travel Highlights in 2019

Television Appearances

When the producer reached out to ask me to appear on the local lifestyle show “You Oughta Know” on PBS Station, WHYY, I was pretty excited.  I could talk travel all day long but she only needed me for a segment which is a few minutes.  I still said YES and arrived at the studios ready for my hair and makeup to be done.  I met the hosts and then we sat down and they began taping.  I was asked back for two more segments in the summer.  You can watch them here

• Travel for Less – Travel Savings
• Disneyworld Orlando Tips
• Staycation Tips

XM Radio Interview

Unlike television, radio interview segments are much longer in length – about ten minutes which might seem like an enternity but flew by quickly with many laughs.  The XM radio program “The Lisa Show” interviewed me about favorite Travel Apps.  Everyone laughed about Sit or Squat but commented on how useful it is especially with kids on roadtrips.

Listen to the segment here

https://www.byuradio.org/episode/5a4f8535-3b8c-4b58-97a1-cccedb4b75ca?playhead=891&autoplay=true

Teaching my “How to Travel for Less” Class

I was invited back by the local adult education non-profit, Main Line School Night, to teach my “Travel for Less” tips class after my 2018 class was a hit.  The small group class was so much fun.  For 2.5 hours we discussed all things travel and I was able to take the pulse of the students to get insight into what folks find interesting (points, housesitting and savings hacks) and what they aren’t interested in (cruises, group tours and airbnb).   The foundation of the class is helping me develop an e-book and/or online classes (I’m not sure yet which to pursue).

Three New London Hotel Stays

My visit to London was notable as I was able to explore two new lodging options in Bankside, a neighborhood I’m liking more and more each visit.  It’s a short walk everywhere and quiet at night.   I was able to stay at the Hilton Bankside which has a basement pool – swimming in London was fabulous. Then I discovered my new favorite flat rental – Native Bankside.  The converted warehouse hosts furnished flats with full kitchens.  It was hard to leave to explore the city but the Thames was only steps away.  I will be torn with options on my next London Bankside stay – I’ve stayed at SeaContainers (formerly The Mondrian), Hilton Bankside and Native Bankside.  Now The Hoxton has opened a new property on Bankside (can’t wait to try it) and the Marriott Autograph Collection luxury boutique hotel, Bankside Hotel with water and City views.

On the other side of town, the London Hard Rock Hotel  converted the massive 600+ room Cumberland Hotel to its own version of boutique luxury.  The hotel has single rooms as well as family rooms, both elusive room types in London.  With its prime location at the end of Oxford Street shopping across from Hyde Park and Marble Arch, it’s at the center of tourists and yet just steps away from Marylebone and the hidden secret that is its high street of boutiques, pubs and intimate restaurants within walking to the Wallace Collection art gallery.

A Year of Superheroes

The day before the cruise set sail, a number of passengers had bought tickets to see Avengers Endgame which was opening in the US.  They couldn’t wait until they returned to see how the story would end, they were also wanting to avoid spoilers on social media during the cruise. For me, I waited until I returned to have a week of Superheroes at the movies and in the exhibit at the Franklin Institute.  The Marvel Superheroes exhibit was a fitting way to enjoy the Marvel universe. Some days, I wished I had superpowers to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Travel Compromises

With a few last minute trips to New York City, I had to make a few compromises, one of which was to travel by Bolt Bus.  I couldn’t justify an Amtrak ticket that was nearly $100 each way!  I could however, drive to Philly, use SpotHero for parking and pay $15 each way for a bus ticket to/from NYC.  Travel is often full of compromises to adhere to a budget – maybe you like to stay at airbnb or hostel and splurge at a fancy restaurant.  For me, it was the bus vs train.   I did get to return to the Moxy Hotel in NYC, a new favorite hotel only a short walk from Penn Station (Amtrak) and the Javits Center (where the Bolt Bus drops off).

Travel Disasters

Thankfully only one travel disaster this year, knowing me, its actually lower than normal but that said the NCL Getaway Transatlantic Cruise was, from beginning to end, one thing after another.  This year my disaster prone life of being a travel jinx extended to my friend who sailed with me and was bitten by a dog onboard!  A few years ago, I escaped on my EPIC vacation travel sabbatical via a transatlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona.  This year, I had another opportunity for a sub $500 sailing across the pond to the UK with stops in The Azores, UK, Bruges and Normandy or so I thought.  Just be thankful that I get to experience all the crazy things so you don’t have to!

Last Word Travel 2019

As always, it’s a privilege to share my stories and photos with you.  Thank you for following the blog and social media accounts on twitter and instagram.  I love your comments, stories and the many notes of thanks.  Let’s hope 2020 is full of travel, fun and chocolate!  The world is waiting to be discovered, where will you go next?

Part of the charm of London is its old buildings and townhomes which often get converted into unique hotel rooms.  Not so charming are the small hotel rooms which limit to two people (maybe three) in a room.  It gets tricky (and expensive) when traveling with your family of four or more, in groups or with friends who just want their own bed. In the U.S. we are spoiled with standard rooms that have two double beds (double double) that sleeps four quite easily or a king room as standard. Rarely do you see a single twin room for one in the U.S.  Finding lodging in London for four can get expensive if you need to split into two rooms, rent a furnished apartment or go luxe with OneFineStay London until now. Now with the conversion of the Cumberland Hotel, one of the largest hotels in London with over 600+ rooms, the new Hard Rock Hotel London has many room configurations, including a double double room (2 Queen beds) that sleeps four in a Family Room.

Bonus is that they also have single rooms which is a nice option for solo travelers, business travelers and families that are bringing grandmom with them (my mom loves her own room).

The Hard Rock Hotel London opened earlier this year and I was able to stay and tour the property a few weeks after it had its soft open (a soft open is the time to get kinks out with staff training and learning of the new property before grand opening).   The Hard Rock brand is all about rock and roll and yet the hotels while showcasing the memorabilia are also keen on room design and comfort that isn’t cookie cutter.

Hyde Park Location off of Oxford Street

The hotel is located across from Marble Arch and Hyde Park, next to the Marble Arch tube station and Pret café at the end of Oxford Street (classic shopping)., the Hard Rock Hotel London has a good location to base yourself at and explore the city.  The property plays host to many groups, including the tour buses outside, as well as meeting & events.  There are a line of black cab taxis outside at the ready for your adventure.  Starbucks, pubs, eclectic cafes and restaurants are all around the property as you walk away from Oxford Street.

One of my favorite shops is Selfridges’ Food Hall, a short walk away on Oxford Street. I buy my shortbread biscuits (cookies) there as well as all my favorite chocolates (Melt is a new favorite made in London chocolate) and Blondie’s Kitchen cookies and brownies. If you walk away from Oxford Street and the hotel into the streets of Marylebone, you have great pubs, restaurants like The Grazing Goat for Sunday roast dinner and the amazing art at The Wallace Collection (free entry).  Marylebone High Street has lots of boutique shopping, restaurants and pubs.

Tip: First Time to London?  Read my London Travel Tips

Hard Rock Hotel London Lobby of Rock and Roll

The Hard Rock Hotel London lobby is filled with the rock memorabilia you are used to seeing at the Hard Rock Cafes and other Hard Rock Hotels around the world. What is unique about this property is that the circular lobby bar faces the café and the stage where live music is presented nightly for free. You can get the chance to discover new music and musicians while enjoying a drink at the bar or eating in the café with the classic Hard Rock café menu.

There are also couches and seating areas between the entrance doors and the front desk which seemed to be filled with people all day and night long.

The lobby also has a Hard Rock Hotel London shop with pins, t-shirts and uniquely London items. For Hard Rock pin collectors, there are exclusive hotel pins.

The concierge/bellman desk is in the middle of the space along the wall and the VIP Check In /Concierge Lounge is behind the standard check in area.

The art and memorabilia are quite special with clothing, handwritten notes and other unique objects. The highlight is a handwritten note on Cumberland Hotel letterhead by Jimi Hendrix

Check In Snafus

The staff were lovely at check in as I arrived a bit before standard check in.  I expected to drop my bags and wander over to Selfridge’s Food Hall a short walk away, but they had a room ready for me.  Or at least they thought they did. The staff were still learning the room configurations and the computer system at the time so long story short there was a problem with my room assignment.

A few problems actually as I booked a Deluxe Queen room and was given a double room at first (full bed) on the 8th floor.  I returned to the front desk and was assigned a new room which they thought was a Queen – it was a Superior Single room on the 7th floor.  On the third try (third time’s the charm), the longtime bellman of the Cumberland Hotel was consulted and I was upgraded to a Deluxe King Room on the 5th floor.  He confirmed that room # x was a king (where was he with the other room assignments?).  The front desk staff were obviously mortified by the errors and issues and I did speak with management on site and after my stay.   I chalk this off to soft opening and learning curve. I was offered a few amenities to choose from as an apology – I accepted two free drinks vouchers.

Room Tip: Always be mindful of what room you booked and if you have any questions about the room assigned, speak to a staff member, front desk manager or other manager when onsite so they have the opportunity to correct it immediately.  Please don’t wait to bash anyone on TripAdvisor or other travel site after the fact.  Staff are keen to make it right when informed.

Elevators, Design and Musician Photos

The elevators are nicely managed with key card assignment.  You tap your key card and are sent to the assigned numbered elevator bank.  This controlled the usage quite nicely.  During my stay, the elevators were quick and most times I was the only person using the elevator.

The hallways are long corridors of black, grey and photos of rock stars on the walls.  My landmarks on the floor were turn right at Oasis and right at Sia.

Tip: The hotel is massive and all floors are the same color so find your rock star landmarks to make the trek to your room easier.

The Deluxe King Room Hard Rock London

As I exited the elevator bank, I made note of the Oasis band member on the wall to ensure I went the right way.  When I opened the door, the room was obviously much larger than a normal London room.  Not only did it have a large King bed, it also had a desk, entertainment area and room to move.  In the US we call this a normal sized room, in London it is massive and not the norm. The full length mirror had markings of the height of famous rock stars.  Of course, Prince was short which we knew but other details were surprising.  I was taller at 5’9” than most. Cute rock and roll history in the decor.

The bedding was decorated with musical notes and the theme carried throughout the room in subtle details.  There was a closet with two robes, two pair of slippers, and a coffee/tea maker, and safe, hair dryer and iron/ironing board to use. The minibar was stocked with options and the refrigerator included two bottles of water complimentary.  For those coffee readers, there was a Nespresso machine which I heard is a good thing.

The Hard Rock Hotel London Bathroom

The bathroom had a window that opened out which is always nice to have fresh air.  The newly renovated area had marble flooring and a sink vanity with a good amount of Rock Spa toiletries. I had to step up into the shower and of course couldn’t figure out dials and switches (it has multiple settings and options) and was soaked with my first time use. The other room categories may have a tub/shower combo or just a shower option like I had.

Tip: If you need a specific bathroom configuration make sure to put in reservation, confirm before arrival and then make sure you confirm at check in.  My mom in her late 70’s prefers a walk in shower with no steps.

Entertainment Options

The television had a plethora of options and information on it.  Did you know you can order up a guitar to play in room? Or stream a custom playlist?  Or even have a turntable and vinyl records delivered for an in room experience?  Music is front and center. Sport was not.

The television options at the time did not include sport stations which was quite surprising to me in the land of football.   It was a Sunday when Formula One (F1) was on as well as a few major football (soccer) games and yet none were available on the in room television.  Thankfully I went to the pub around the corner.  You can use hotel wifi to connect your phone to the TV for streaming options (didn’t work for me during my stay as I was going to stream live F1 from my cable tv app).

Tip: Talk to the Concierge if you need help with the television as he was quite nice to offer a few folks to help me.

Hard Rock Hotel Breakfast

The lobby restaurant uses the circular stage shelf to feature a buffet breakfast (was included in my rate).  You won’t go hungry with the many options available in hot and cold plates. I did ask for special order eggs over easy as I’m lactose free and many items in buffet were not (i.e. scrambled eggs). The staff were very attentive and accommodating.

Hard Rock Hotel Lunch

For lunch on the day of check-in, I ate in the lobby as it’s been years since I’ve eaten at a Hard Rock Café.  I ordered the classic cheeseburger and fries (chips) which were fine as standard fare.  The staff were still finding their rhythm with the new hotel and restaurant but were attentive nonetheless. I had a lovely conversation with my server about F1, sport and America.

Other Room Types at Hard Rock Hotel London

Given the mix up at check in, I was able to take photos/video of the other rooms configurations and then had a tour with the Sales Manager. The décor and design is pretty standard across the room options which was nice to see. The Suite option was quite large and for those on a longer visit this is a nice option.

Superior Single (Twin Room)

Finding a single room in London isn’t that easy so I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Hard Rock Hotel London in converting the Cumberland Hotel added single rooms.  While we all don’t love a twin bed, this option was not that bad.  If you want to upgrade your lodging this is a great place to do so.  The pricing of the room is reasonable and the website offers promotions, packages and special add ons.

Double/Full Room

This was the first room that I was sent to.  It had the bathroom upon entry and then you entered the bedroom. Small room, sleeps two.  The room configuration may vary as the historic hotel has so many shapes and sizes. Despite the small size for two, everything you need is within arm’s reach and very comfortable for a few nights.

Deluxe Queen – the original room I booked.

Standard Queen room with all the room features of the other rooms. Funny that I never got to see the room that I booked.  During the room assignment mix up and the sales tour, the queen room was not on the agenda.

Deluxe King (see my room info above)

Good amount of space for two people for a comfortable stay of more than one night.

Double/Double (2 Queen Room) – great for families of 4

Popular option so will sell out quickly in my opinion. Two double beds that sleep four comfortably. Kids will like the burger/fries in the lobby, parents will like the breakfast buffet and the modern design as well as the comfort of location.   Given that so many London hotels limit the room to three guests, the extra space will matter for a family of four.  We did not tour this room type.

Rock Royalty Junior Suite London

The Suite had a wonderful walk in closet which you can easily unpack two suitcases and still have room leftover for shopping!  The bathroom has both a shower and a separate tub.  The king size bed sits on one side of the room which the living space with couch, desk, chair and bar are on the opposite. It’s a good configuration especially is you are staying longer than a few nights or need entertaining space.

Final Thoughts – Hard Rock Hotel London

The Hard Rock Hotel London is shiny and new.  It was quite lovely and my stay was good.  I chalk off the check in snafu to being a new hotel still training staff and learning the system.  It is a familiar brand of hotel for American families who may have stayed at properties in Orlando and elsewhere. There’s no culture shock here, you can deal with that later trying to figure out what “bubble and squeak” is on breakfast menus and looking left at crosswalks.

As the hotel is massive and they need to put heads in beds, there is a good chance to find great rates in comparison to other hotel options in the city. I keep going back to the word “comfort” and the Hard Rock Hotel London is a comfortable hotel escape in London.  Knowing that you can easily explore London by day, enjoy rock music in the lobby at night and retire to your luxury room for the evening no cab required is a nice option.  Just remember which rock star is your beacon to finding your room (am assuming you had a few pints as it is London).

We didn’t originally plan to visit Brighton but a cruise ship itinerary change gave us two days to sort out before we went to London and we chose to spend those days in Brighton. Located slightly over an hour from London by train it was a nice getaway to transition from the cruise ship experience to land.  I first visited Brighton during the Christmas holidays years ago when my friend and I wandered the city easily by foot stopping in pubs along the way to take the chill off. The city is still easy to walk about with the iconic Brighton Pier as well as the newer attraction from British Airways, the Brighton i360 experience. So Brighton offers lots to do, see and eat even for a quick escape.  But first we needed to find central lodging with double beds that was reasonably priced and easy to get to/fro.

Brighton Waterfront Hotel

As the name states, Jurys Inn Waterfront is centrally located across from the beach and the water.  Some rooms are waterfront facing, ours faced the interior lobby. You can easily walk to the British Airways i360, along the beach or to the Brighton Pier.  You are also close to the Pavilion and Gardens as well as the lane ways of shopping and if not with heavy bags you can walk the main road to/from the train station in about 15-20 minutes.  A taxi will cost approximately £8 from the station to the hotel in mid-day traffic (Uber is not in town).

Welcome to Jurys Inn Waterfront Brighton Lobby

The taxi dropped us off in the front of the hotel opposite Brighton Beach.  We used the elevator rather than the flight of stairs to the lobby given our cruise ship luggage was too heavy to lug up the stairs.  The street level lobby has access to conference (congress) space, gym/pool (down the stairs) and stairs up to the hotel lobby. There was security at all doors and in lobbies during our stay due to the music festival/conference at the hotel.

We were welcomed by the front desk staff and quickly checked in and directed to the elevators to our room.  The front desk has a flavored water station that is open 24/7 and a nice refresh after the train travel.

The hotel lobby space is quite vast with restaurant, bar, lobby seating throughout and a mezzanine of seating space. While it was frequently busy, it never felt too crowded.   The multi-purpose lobby also has a self service snack bar next to the front desk, a hair/nail salon and a business center.

Standard Double Room at Jurys Inn Waterfront Brighton

The hotel is basically a square with rooms on both sides and interior facing rooms looking down into the lobby space.  That said, we exited the elevators and had a long walk to the other side of the hotel to our room 333.

After spending ten days in a small cruise cabin (124 sq. ft.) sailing across the pond, arriving at Jurys Inn Waterfront Brighton was a wonderful change. The room had two double beds so we no longer had to attempt sleep in the small twin cruise ship beds, we had actual comfy beds to fall into and fall into we did.  Facing inward, the room had a window to open (which we did) and when shut was quiet despite the lobby noises.

Despite the heavy use of the hotel for tourists and conventions (congress meetings) the room decorated in warm tones looked newly renovated. Kudos for the artwork (we all know how this is a pet peeve of mine).

There was a coffee maker with supplies for four people (coffee mugs, tea and coffee supplies) as well as an iron/ironing board in the closet. Wifi was free and surprisingly high speed throughout the stay even with the conference in residence.

Bathroom – Standard Double Room

The bathroom door was odd as it didn’t lock, was quite flimsy and obviously not included in the room renovations done when Jurys took over the property a few years back.  The bathroom included a tub which my friend loved and quickly drew a bath to relax in (she always uses the tub for a bath, while I never do).  The amenities were from Gilchrist & Soames and the counter/vanity space quite spacious for multiple people to store their toiletries easily.

Gym/Pool at Jurys Inn Waterfront

We did a quick visit of the gym and pool, both which are used by local members and open to hotel guests.  We were told of the Thursday children’s/babies swim time so my friend made note to visit the pool and sauna before the children arrived. She enjoyed the pool and sauna and said there were only a few people there after breakfast. While both are small spaces – they actually have enough equipment and space to enjoy your visit. No photos as the gym/pool were in use on both visits.

Restaurant at Jurys Inn Waterfront Brighton

While the room service menu was the same as the restaurant options, we only dined at the breakfast buffet as it was included in our rate.  The morning offerings included a hot bar selection for the Full English breakfast, breads/pastries, cold bar with fruits, yogurts and meats/cheeses and of course the coffee/tea machine. There was enough to fill folks and if not for an additional cost you could have pancakes or waffles.  Servers wandered throughout to clear plates and deliver coffee/tea, etc.

Overall – Jurys Inn Waterfront Brighton

The staff were lovely throughout the stay and the location perfect to explore the seaside town. I would definitely return to the Jurys Inn Waterfront in Brighton as the pricing was reasonable, the room was large by UK standards (normal for US folks) and quiet plus the bonus pool on property could be fun (although there’s a big ocean across the road).  In all of my travels, this was my second stay with a Jurys Inn (the first was in Ireland) so this property exceeded my expectations which is always a good thing.

The extended stay market of serviced apartments in London is one hidden part of the lodging options in the city. Offering studio flats with a kitchen or even larger options like a two bedroom, two bath option, extended stay options are plentiful but as a leisure traveler you’ve probably never heard of a company like Native or the many others out there. You should definitely consider extended stay apartments when you stay in London especially if you have a family.   I had the opportunity to stay at one of the newest entrants in the market, Native Bankside, a property which was formerly a Victorian tea warehouse and is now newly restored and opened about a year ago.   I won a London silent auction charity bid for a two night weekend stay so I paid less than the standard stay would cost. Even so, the rates are affordable and the value impressive. This is a new category that Native likes to call “hotel apartments’, whatever they call it, I call it one of my new favorites in London.

Native Bankside Location in Southwark/Bankside

Situated down a small alley behind the Globe Theatre, Native Bankside would definitely count as a hidden gem because you need your maps app to find it on Bear Gardens (more an alley than a garden).  But once you are sorted, you’ll realize you are steps away from the Thames and the many cafes and restaurants along Bankside. An added bonus is the boat dock for the Thames Clipper River line (you can use your Oyster transit card to ride on the river line).

I’ve been staying on Bankside/Southwark for my last few visits to London and have found a new appreciation for the residential area that doesn’t (currently) see many tourists leave the main areas along the water and has a handful of hotels. It’s super easy to walk to Borough Market (ten minutes) and the nearby Flat Iron Square, Shard and London Bridge station (15 minutes).

If you turn the other way, you have the Globe, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge (five minutes’ walk) to cross over the river to St. Paul’s and The City.  You can also access Blackfriars Station on the riverside, the various pop ups and food trucks of Bankside. A walk to the London Eye (20 minutes), Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (30 minutes) and even St. James’s Park and Buckingham Palace.

The Native Bankside property is currently behind Porky’s BBQ and a Starbucks.  At the end of the alley is Pizza Express and a Greek Restaurant next to EAT and other food outlets. CoOp, Sainsbury and Tesco markets are each a 10 minute walk (next to and across from the Blue Fin building and Hilton Bankside). Early morning views below –

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thjtvCVNfE0[/embedyt]

Checking In at Native Bankside London

Native Bankside is one of a few staffed properties in the Native property chain (there are 17 Native properties in London as well as one in Manchester and one in Glasgow) – all have access to 24/7 service so don’t worry. The desk had two staff members to welcome us (I was traveling with my country mouse friend), provide key cards, a map and quick overview.  Once the paperwork was complete, we were off to the first floor apartment.  In the UK, the ground floor is floor 0 so the first floor (1) requires the lift (elevator).  We were told there is a small pantry on the first floor with seating area that overlooks the ground floor lobby.  The lobby also had a nice sized seating area which was empty during our visit.

The Pantry at Native Bankside

When the doors opened to the first floor we put our bags aside for a quick look in the pantry.  It was filled with snacks, fruit and bottled water which were complimentary.  It also contained condiments for foods (mustard, ketchup, olive oil, etc.) as well as cereals, snack bars and milk in the fridge. Of course, I was happy to see the bottled water – both room temperature and chilled.

Review: Native Bankside Apartment 112

Our flat was a premium one bedroom with two full bathrooms and a pull out sofa so it could sleep up to four guests. As we entered, we were quite happy, almost giddy to be honest after ten days in a small cruise ship cabin of 110 sq ft. By comparison, the flat was massive and quite impressive.  It was only available for two nights so we really lucked out.

We chucked our bags aside and like curious children began to open all the cabinet doors in the kitchen to see what we had.  We had dishes, glasses, and a coffee maker.  We had a dishwasher and a washer/dryer combo.  We had a small refrigerator and an oven.  We had cleaning supplies and various rubbish bins to sort. This was a furnished kitchen that would definitely suffice for our two days but for those longer term guests, it was a nice perk in London. We met a few guests staying more than a month.

I took the main bedroom and walk in shower option.  My room had a view of the street/alley outside, its own temperature controls and a sliding pocket door for privacy.  I also had my own television.

Native Bankside had arranged the sofa bed so that it was already set out upon arrival which was good and bad.  Good for my friend since it was made up and housekeeping is weekly.  Bad in that we couldn’t use the sofa to watch tv together.  We decamped to our own worlds to watch television.

The main living area had the kitchen, a table for four, a sofa (currently a bed), side chair, coat rack and a television.  But there were two remotes – one for the television and after pressing the buttons, we realized one for the skylight above the sofa bed.   Also in the main living area was a separate temperature control (my friend kept it winter, while my room was summer) as well as a bathroom with soaking tub (my friend loves taking baths and visited Lush to buy a bath bomb).

The flat had its own Wi-Fi router so we both had high speed connections and didn’t need to worry about too many people on the system. The wardrobe in the bedroom had the hairdryer, ironing board and iron.

Note: The property does not provide a safe, umbrella or tissues (yes, tissues!).  I was having allergy issues due to high pollen count so we visited the local market to buy tissues.

Native Bankside Gym

The onsite gym space is a quite small and only a few pieces of equipment but enough to get a workout with.  If you need a full gym, I’d recommend looking at local options for a day pass or longer membership or go for a morning run along the empty Bankside area, along the Thames, with the other runners.

Final Thoughts – Native Bankside London

I was spoiled with my Native Bankside stay.  I had an apartment larger than many of my friends who live in London and really enjoyed it so much that I often wondered “why leave”.  You need to leave though because, well, London awaits to be explored, experienced and enjoyed. For those who want more space or have families and want a kitchen or washer/dryer (although it took forever to wash and dry with a ton of wrinkles), Native Bankside will be the hidden gem that gets you to abandon Airbnb and shun hotels in the near future.   If you want to live like a local, staying on Bankside at Native Bankside gets you one step closer…..although locals I know don’t eat at Pizza Express so go to O’ver instead.

It was Friday morning and I was swimming in a London hotel pool without a care in the world.  The world outside was calling…it was London after all…but I wanted more time to luxuriate in the warm water of the basement pool. The pool was an added bonus as the main reason for choosing the Hilton Bankside Hotel was the twin room option.  I was traveling with a friend and finding a reasonably priced twin room in London is tough and usually expensive because it’s a King Room with the bed split into two.  We were staying the weekend at a nearby Bankside flat so needed only one night’s hotel in the area. I was expecting a Hilton to be honest – beige and blah – but imagine my surprise to walk into a design focused boutique like hotel which probably should be in the Curio collection.

London Hilton Bankside Location

I’ve become a big fan of Bankside over the past two years because of it’s great location and quiet. The Bankside Hilton (or Hilton Bankside) is situated in a prime location about a block or so behind the Tate Modern across from the Blue Fin Building (Londoners name all the buildings by what they look like – Cheese Grater, Walkie Talkie where SkyGarden is located, the Shard, the Gherkin, etc.). The Blue Fin has many ground floor level chain restaurants and cafes behind the Tate Modern.

The Hilton Bankside is a short walk to both Blackfriars Bridge and the Millennium Bridge each taking you to The City and St. Paul’s for business travelers.

For the leisure traveler you are minutes from the Thames (with great city views) and Bankside where you can turn left to walk toward the London Eye and Parliament, Big Ben (under renovation) and Westminster Abbey before walking through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace.  If you turn right, you have the Tate Modern (with free rooftop view point), Borough Market, the Shard, London Bridge and further afield Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

So in a nutshell, the Hilton Bankside is in a great location for walking to the highlights of London along the Thames. If you must take transit, the bus stop is steps away and trains (to Brighton, Gatwick Airport, etc) or the tube can be found at Blackfriars Station on either side of the water.

The hotel also has access next door and across the road to markets such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco and CoOp to fulfill food and supply needs. In and around the Bluefin, expect Starbucks, Leon, Wagamamma, Pret Manger, Paul, Gail’s Bakery and many more dining options.

Hilton Bankside Hotel Arrival/Check In

We arrived by foot rather than by taxi in the arrival driveway so had a laugh when the bellman outside in the arrival driveway saw us and ran (sprinted) over to get our bags. They were friendly and welcoming so I happily stopped and dropped my bags.  I went to the front desk to check in while my friend plopped down on one of many comfy seating options in the designer filled lobby to use the fast and free wifi.  Check in was quick and friendly and we were quickly in the hotel elevators to our room on the 4^th floor. The elevator security requires room key tap to access guest room floors.

You’ll be surprised to learn that there are nearly 300 rooms in the hotel, including a Vegan suite (interesting) and yet on my visit it felt like a cozy boutique hotel – the lobby was never crowded, the restaurant service was timely and the elevators empty for the most part.  There’s also a penthouse apartment with a private roof terrace. I can only imagine the city views from there!

Hilton Bankside Hotel – Luxury Twin Room in London

When the elevator opened to a big 4 in the hallway, the grey design signified a more tailored experience.  Unlike the beige hallways you are used to, the Hilton Bankside had the style of a tweed banker down to the color scheme and leather appointments.  Each detail was thoughtfully designed as we would learn.

Opening the door to the room, I was pleasantly surprised by the feeling of newness – modern style and design.  The textured walls, the metal fox sconce (see info panel about the Bankside Fox at the hotel entrance) and the concrete walk in shower were all bespoke design choices that together made for one comfortable room. Instantly I knew I would like it here and sadly wasn’t going to have enough time to enjoy it.  It screamed of a lie in with room service, alas neither would be had. Note the lighting (sun, then clouds then dark) doesn’t show the best of the room but it really was nice.

The twin beds took up much of the room but there was still room for a chair, working desk area and floor to ceiling windows. The minibar refrigerator contained two complimentary bottles of water and local sodas (cola and lemonade).  If you do go shopping in the area for food, the empty refrigerator is a nice amenity to have.

The desk had multiple outlet options as did both bedsides. There was a mirrored box on top of the table which held the hairdryer.  No need to hunt for the hairdryer in drawers, cabinets or crawl under the bathroom vanity. Along with the various outlets which included USB ports (yeah, no need for bulky converters) there were many buttons for lighting options including a nightlight in the bathroom which illuminated under the vanity to avoid full light on in the middle of the night.

The closet contained an umbrella (this is London and it was raining), robes, slippers (yeah!) and enough space to unpack a large suitcase.

When we returned from dinner, turn down service was done to the room and slippers, mat and a bottle of water were set out for each bed. That was a nice and unexpected touch.

The Bathroom at the Hilton Bankside

The bathroom was  winner!  Walk in shower, spacious vanity, lighted make up mirror, side shelf and multiple towels were highlights in the bathroom.  The amenities were by Crabtree & Evelyn.  The bathroom had adequate hooks for the robes or towels and the under vanity nightlight was awesome.

Hilton Bankside Gym, Spa and Hotel Pool in London

This is the first hotel with a pool in London that I’ve ever stayed in and now I’m spoiled.  On our tour of the pool and gym we decided we would wake up early and go for a swim.  The lap pool along with a therapeutic water area with jets was empty when we arrived.  There are locker rooms along with showers and amenities to use the pool and get changed if you can’t go back to your room.  The locker rooms and pool require key card access.  There is staff at the desk during posted hours.  There is also a small gym (not supervised) and two spa treatment rooms at Spa To You.

The next morning we arrived to only one man in the pool and then as we were exiting a man put on his swim goggles and began his laps of the pool for the next ½ hour which shattered the quiet.  Choosing lounge chairs we relaxed in the warmth of the room along with another couple. We were told that the pool is busy on the weekends with families.  Lucky for us it was a Thursday/Friday stay.

Breakfast at Oxbo Restaurant

There is a restaurant onsite, Oxbo Bankside, as well as a bar, The Distillery, which serves nibbles (snacks).  I visited the restaurant for breakfast – they do a buffet as well as ala carte.  I had the avocado toast ala carte as I’m not keen on the price of a buffet breakfast (nearly $30+).

Happy Hour at The Distillery Bankside

Prior to happy hour, I was hungry and ordered a club sandwich and chips (fries) at The Distillery Bar.  We stayed for  Happy Hour when a friend came to meet us.  We were offered complimentary snack bowls.  We were then explained the 2 for 1 deal.  You can get 2 of the same drinks for the price of 1. So two glasses of the same wine or two glasses of x cocktail (there are limits on the cocktails and liquor brands) or two pints. I ordered one glass of wine and when closing out the check, the server almost insisted on getting another glass of wine (it’s free she said!) and taking it to my room, which I did. They also offer a Gin Masterclass which looks fun, sadly we didn’t have time to do it this visit. On the friday afternoon, the staff were grilling burgers outside for takeaway which was fun if you are in the area.

Final Thoughts – London Hilton Bankside Hotel

I was really impressed with the Hilton Bankside Hotel.  To be honest, I don’t know the last time, I stayed with Hilton but this was a wonderful experience. The only hiccup was the concierge and his very touristy recommendations for food when there are many local options nearby I would have preferred he recommend. Overall though the room was comfortable, the staff were friendly, the pool fabulous. I slept well in what is already a quiet part of town – Bankside continues to welcome new hotels and restaurants to the area but still retains its quiet nature and empty streets (for now).  Since this is a Hilton, there tends to be many promotions and discounts on offer plus you can use your Hilton HHonors points to redeem for a room.  I think you’ll love it and be surprised as much as I was – this is the new Hilton – design focused and in a fantastic part of London for business or leisure travelers.

OneFineStay History

Unlike Airbnb, OneFineStay centrally manages the properties that you stay in.  They personally vet each and every property before accepting them into the OneFineStay portfolio.  They supply the linens, towels and toiletries.  They manage the end to end guest experience to ensure consistency and a stress free unique experience from arrival to departure.  Recently acquired by Accor, the French hospitality giant behind 28 (and growing) hotel brands at the luxury end (Sofitel, Mondrian, Fairmont), mid-range (Mercure, Pullman, Swissotel) and budget (Ibis), I expect OneFineStay to expand  to other major travel cities as the home rental market demand increases and Accor figures out how to market (and profit from) the One Fine Stay brand.

OneFineStay Properties

Unique properties abound on the OneFineStay website and app.  The aesthetic is warm and welcoming as you are staying in someone’s home (or second home).  With a bit of background about the owner (i.e. – this artist travels the world and opens their home to guests while they are away), the properties are photographed and details meticulously listed on the website.  There are no surprises and there are even Home Truths (i.e. – walk up three flight of stairs in Paris).  In Europe, many properties will not have air conditioning which is the norm so One Fine Stay will supply fans. The properties are generally apartments with full kitchen and amenities and what you are lacking in service luxuries (think private chef, catering, in home massages, babysitting, etc.) One Fine Stay will arrange (additional fees).

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Booking with One Fine Stay

Where One Fine Stay currently drops the ball in my opinion is the booking process as you can’t just book now in most cases (people are not patient so this is a friction point).  I contacted One Fine Stay directly with three properties of interest (have a few in mind in case your first choice isn’t available).   The online calendars all showed availability and none allowed instant booking.  The OFS rep had to contact the owners and within two days (time differences) had heard that the first property wasn’t available and the second property owner did not reply (he was away on business).  The third property, the largest, was available so I booked that.  I completed the credit card information online and entered my travel information, in this case the train from Paris to London scheduled to arrive at 4pm. I received a confirmation of my payment (in full) as well as information about a OneFineStay stay.

Luxury London Mews House Rental – Arrival

During our train journey from Paris, I received a text from the OneFineStay greeter to confirm our arrival time.  We were still on schedule to arrive at 4pm and with traffic across town, I estimated a 5 pm arrival at the property.  I was provided the OFS greeter’s name and contact details should anything change during our transit.

When the cab driver pulled into the little Mews cobblestone street in South Kensington and stopped in front of the Mews House black door, we were impressed and we weren’t even inside.  Our greeter opened the door anticipating us and helped us with the bags.  Once inside, she took me for a tour of the property after settling Mom into her ground floor bedroom (we noted that the tv didn’t work properly but it wasn’t an issue as Mom didn’t plan on watching tv).  The ground floor had mom’s ensuite bedroom along with the laundry area and door to the garage (off-limits).

Upstairs was the kitchen and living room with windows overlooking the mews homes on the street on one side and a small public garden on the other side. On the third floor (for US folks) was my bedroom en suite with sitting area and cool windows that opened to enjoy fresh air and a view. Every nook and cranny looked exactly like the online photos so there were no surprises. For more photos visit my post of the One Fine Stay Kensington Mews House Rental.

OneFineStay Welcome Pack

On the kitchen table was the standard OneFineStay kitchen welcome – a box of shortbread biscuits (I’m now addicted to them), bottled water, milk, tea and coffee as well as a welcome book and coupon for future stay.  Also included was our own pre-loaded iPhone.  We had a local phone number and only needed to press a button to call OneFineStay (the front desk per se) 24/7 if we had any issues (we would call for a backup hair dryer when Mom’s failed, an iPhone charger as it was missing and a handyman to shut off the closet lights as the owner taped them shut but the lights were on). The iPhone was a wealth of information about the property, the home rules and truths, suggestions by the owner for local restaurants and pubs and apps for many services. It’s a great amenity especially if you don’t want to use your own phone and incur international roaming charges.

OneFineStay also provided a list of services they could arrange for a fabulous stay (for an additional cost of course).  In home massage, private chef dinner, AirPortr luggage delivery to Heathrow were just a few noted items. The walk around included things that were off-limits (similar to an Airbnb stay in someone’s home) – in this house that meant the garage, a shelf of personal food items in the refrigerator and any drawers/closets that were taped shut.

Departure from the Mews House Rental in London

For departure day, One Fine Stay is pretty strict on time you need to leave as they need to get the cleaning staff in to turn the house around especially if it’s being rented later that day. We should have used AirPortr to send our luggage ahead to British Airways for check in which would have allowed us to enjoy our last day without baggage to worry about as there’s no storage option that you would have in a hotel (one downside).  You are required to ensure that the iPhone is put back on the counter charging (hence my query for a charger) and then either hand the keys back to the greeter or in our case putting them through the mail slot.

Overall Review One Fine Stay in London

We were so sad to leave our home in the Mews of Kensington High Street.  OneFineStay was so much better than the original two hotel rooms I had planned for Mom and me.  The home provided us such a unique experience having a full kitchen so we could enjoy our own foods from the local M&S (Mom picked up ice cream of course) and Whole Foods and also relax in the living room after a full day of touring London (our London photo shoot, Tower of London with Mom, the day out to Stonehenge, etc.).  The iPhone was chock full of great apps to use during our stay and a bonus to anyone who is traveling without an international data plan.

By managing their own select properties in the portfolio, One Fine Stay provides a luxury experience unlike any other out there in the city to my knowledge. If traveling with my family or friends, I’d look at One Fine Stay next time rather than have any surprises with Airbnb (there’s always Airbnb surprises in my experiences).  Plus One Fine Stay is a unique opportunity to pretend you won the lottery and are living in the luxury home of your dreams if only for a few days. It really shouldn’t be a secret to anyone that loves to travel and live like a local in luxury.

Have you used One Fine Stay?  If so, in what cities and properties?  If One Fine Stay is new to you, would you consider upgrading your accommodations on your next trip to live like a local in luxury?

I’ve stayed in many London luxury historic hotels, boutique hotels and small rooms but my first visit to the Great Northern Hotel London melded all of my past experiences into one luxury hotel award stay. The original London railway hotel first opened in 1853 and has been restored with such luxury and glamour that it has made many a top 10 list and won accolades since debuting in 2013 after a five year (wow!) restoration. The lengthy restoration was due to the strict rules governing the Grade II listing landmark status.  The hotel is a stunner and utilizes every inch to impress and provide boutique comfort to guests. With 91 rooms, it is an independent boutique property in the Marriott Tribute Portfolio collection, newly added to the family in September 2015.  When I found the Great Northern Hotel London on the SPG app, I was super excited to try it out on my upcoming stay in London as I’ve not spent any time in the King’s Cross neighborhood.

Location – Hotel at King’s Cross St. Pancras

Riding the Piccadilly line from Heathrow for just over an hour, I exited the tube station at Kings Cross.  Standing on Euston Street looking at the Kings Cross train station, I knew the hotel was close but couldn’t see it in the rain.   I turned around a few times when I saw the lettering “Great Northern Hotel” on the left and laughed because I was staring at it without seeing it for about five minutes (file under “dumb things I do”).  The hotel is connected to King’s Cross train station which makes it central to the tube station (Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines) as well as the National Rail. Across the road is St. Pancras station which provides access to the Eurostar and other train lines.

Arrival at The Great Northern Hotel King’s Cross

I missed the hotel entrance door (across from the taxi stand on the left) and ended up walking around the hotel past the tempting sandwich shop, Kiosk, the GNH hotel bar and to the front door with the GNH initials.

With doors on the right and left, I went left and found the elevators but no check in desk.  I opened the door ahead and saw the bar on the left and stairs up and over to the front desk (note, this was the right turn initially that I missed).   The front desk was staffed by three people at two terminals. Staff was welcoming and acknowledged my gold status.  Luckily, my room was ready for early check-in (1 p.m. vs. the normal 2 p.m. check-in) and I was offered a gold status amenity (points or a drink) and then quickly taken to my room by the bellman and shown all the features of my room.

Great Northern Hotel – Couchette Room 317

The hotel has five floors and my room, a couchette room, was on the third floor.  The couchette rooms are the smallest of the three categories and due to the historic renovation the space may differ a bit as seen on the floor map. Once off the elevator, you need to wave your hotel room key to open the main door to the floor (security feature).  My room was directly across from the security door and elevator bank (surprisingly quiet).  The hallway was decorated in muted cremes and browns with a stocked pantry at the end of the hall open to guests.

Expecting a small standard couchette room, I was surprised that the high ceilings made the room appear much bigger.  Walking in, the double doored bathroom was on the right as was the cabinet with safe, coffee maker, minibar and a few hangers with storage space.

Walking the hard wood floors past the bathroom, the bedroom was reminiscent of a cruise cabin, just a bit more swanky and luxurious.  The leather headboard and padded seating at the end of the bed was accompanied by a flat screen television and a small desk with leather seat. The bed was firm and yet I slept better than I anticipated.  The linens were plush and the bed has a duvet as the main cover – it was warm and comfortable.

I was shown all the buttons of interest including the automatic shade and curtains.  The couchette bed, meaning that one side is flush to the wall and only one way in took up 90% of the bedroom.  The room is perfect for a single/solo traveler but might be a bit tight for a couple for more than a night.

Wi-Fi is standard but was wonky in my room during the stay. If I wasn’t using my device I was disconnected and had to connect each time. Not the end of the world, just annoying. The front desk tried to help but couldn’t figure out why I was having problems so not sure if room specific or not.

Couchette Room – Bathroom at The Great Northern Hotel

The bathroom was large for the small room.  Double doors, a walk in shower and room for toiletries above the sink, it was a surprise. The toiletries are from Malin & Goetz, a brand I’m not familiar with, in interesting fragrances such as rum soap, peppermint shampoo, cilantro conditioner, rum body wash and a vitamin moisturizer.  There was a nice option of a bathroom nightlight under the sink to provide just enough light to get around in the middle of the night without affecting the room light for sleeping.

Restaurants/Bars at The Great Northern Hotel

There is a very posh British restaurant Plum & Spilt Milk on the first floor, the GNB ground floor bar and two other snug bars to visit.  I didn’t get to visit any of the bars or restaurant options this visit but they were consistently popular throughout the day and night based on my experience.  The Kiosk sandwich bar is part of the hotel offering tempting  takeaway until late night.

The Gym at The Great Northern Hotel

The hotel doesn’t have a gym onsite but does offer complimentary gym access and classes at the Bloomsbury Fitness Center.  You need to have the front desk make class reservations. A nice perk of the hotel.

Another fitness option is Run KX, a free trainer led 5km run around the neighborhood.  For a fee, there is a Bootcamp class you can join.  Visit the King’s Cross website for more information.

The Pantry at The Great Northern Hotel

The pantry at the end of each guest room hallway offered fruit, cakes, coffee and tea as well as counter space and reading materials if you want to socialize outside of your room.  The hallway also contains a couch if you need more space.  These are nice touch given that the rooms are a bit small and if traveling with friends or family in another room you can meet up here away from the public spaces.

King’s Cross Neighborhood

Location, location, location!  There are so many options steps away – both railway stations, Kings Cross and St. Pancreas, offer a plethora of food options – Pret sandwiches, a pub, champagne bar, markets like M&S and Waitrose as well as tourist attraction Track 9 ¾ of Harry Potter fame. Outside the train station and just a short walk from the hotel are many food options, highlights include the new German Gymnasium, Drake & Morgan and a Vinoteca.  On Euston Street, there are many pubs, restaurants and fast food takeaway options as expected near a train station.

Overall – The Great Northern Hotel London

I thoroughly enjoyed my three night stay at the Great Northern Hotel London – it was posh, comfortable and a great base for exploring London.  During my award stay, in November, the rates were slightly under 250 GBP ($400+) so using points (Category 6 Marriott) was a great redemption decision.  I would definitely stay here again to explore the area more and eat that cake in the pantry!

Note: The Mondrian Hotel London has re-flagged (changed hotel ownership) to Sea Containers Hotel London, a boutique hotel. Post is updated to reflect new name. The design, staff and stellar service should remain.

The London hotel scene is so exciting and with each visit I’m keen to try a new property in a different neighborhood.  Despite my over twenty years of visits, I still marvel at all the new hotel discoveries to be found as the cranes continue to change the landscape of the city each day.  One newer example of the changing landscape is at the Sea Containers hotel (formerly The Mondrian London) building along the Thames Path which was redeveloped into a luxury hotel next to the OXO Tower building in 2014.  I’ve never stayed along the Thames (Southbank) or in the Southwark neighborhood so with my London New Years Eve Fireworks ticket, I booked the hotel to be close (walking) to Waterloo Bridge (fireworks “Pink Zone”) for fireworks viewing.  Originally, booking the Mondrian London Sea Containers hotel, , was simply about location but I would soon learn it was about so much more – luxury, service and rooftop views to name just a few.

Mondrian London Sea Containers Hotel Location

It really doesn’t get better than this for location in London – it’s the best of both worlds for the business or the leisure traveler.  Situated along the water on the Southbank, the Mondrian London hotel is a 10 minute walk to the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge (walk to The City and St. Paul’s Cathedral) or a 15-20 minute walk to iconic London attractions (i.e. – The London Eye, Westminster Bridge, Big Ben/Parliament and Westminster Abbey).

Further afield you can continue walking to Buckingham Palace through St. James’s Park.  If you choose to stay closer to the hotel then in 15 minutes you are enjoying all the food and drinks on offer at nearby Borough Market.  With views along the water and from above (rooftop bar), the location is fantastic if you like to walk.  If you want to use the underground (tube) then your choices are: Waterloo (10 minutes), Blackfriars (cross the bridge) or Southwark (10 minutes). If you want to use the bus system, then you walk to the end of the road. For me, walking everywhere is key to having a great London experience (tube, bus and taxi access doesn’t hurt either).

Early Morning Arrival – Sea Containers Hotel

My taxi was met and I was immediately welcomed to the hotel by the friendly doorman who collected my bags and walked me inside to the front desk.  I didn’t expect much at 8 a.m. on a Saturday as the normal check in time is at 3 p.m., but lucky me as it was a holiday weekend (New Year’s), I was able to get assigned a room immediately which was unexpected but happily accepted (This alone made me an instant fan of the hotel customer service). While I wasn’t on the 8^th floor as originally assigned, I was in the same room category (standard guestroom) on the 4^th floor.  Since I didn’t book a water view of the Thames, I didn’t care about the change,  I was just thrilled to get into the room early after my overnight flight PHL-LHR on BA.  The bellman gathered my bags back from storage (he was surprised too) and walked me to my room.  Inside he walked through all the bells and whistles, buttons and minibar options.  He was quite thorough, I was quite sleepy.

Lobby of Activity

The lobby has a few aspects to it – the vast entry filled with art, seating areas and the front desk with the concierge desk in its own corner.  The curved hull of a hallway is a nod to the ships of the past while the nautical reminders are under glass in another part of the lobby. Another lobby welcomes you from the Thames waterside with plush and colorful furniture and food/beverage service. With a cheeky sign you can go left to the restaurant or go straight to the other lobby and bar/restaurant or downstairs to the cozy Curzon movie theatre on site (56 seats is basically a private screening room).  So this isn’t a quiet or empty lobby, it’s full of activity day and night with locals and guests which creates a nice buzz and fantastic people watching.

The elevators are security accessed by room key card. During the busy New Year’s Eve weekend, the hotel security was throughout the lobby ensuring a pleasant night for guests and visitors. While the elevators are filled with fun art pictures and music in the background,  the guest floor hallway is grey and dark. A bit of a contrast similar to the elevator bank which was dark and led to a beige settee and blue globe artwork on the 4th floor before I walked around the building and down the hall to my room.

My Standard Room at Sea Containers Hotel London

When I opened the door to the room, I walked into a rather large room (for London).  The color scheme of grey, white with a few pops of color was soothing. I didn’t much like the color form art (showing my age) on the wall preferring a nod (or two) to the origins of the building, Sea Containers, and its maritime history or to the artist Mondrian whose art is full of color. It’s only because I’m on an art kick to give the guest some insight into the history of the property and/or city that I feel many hotels woefully ignore this detail in room and in the hallways.

Video Tour of Standard Room at Sea Containers London Hotel

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The modern room was filled with all the standard and expected features – flat screen TV, working desk, modern desk chair (funky and functional), seating area, and minibar.  The closet was modified with a curtain instead of a door and had the expected safe, ironing board, etc. but was missing slippers and a robe (you can request these as they are standard with higher room categories).  The closet had a few hangers and drawers – just enough space.  For someone who just left the airport an hour ago after an overnight flight, the bed was very welcoming.  While I could have slept in a corner at that point, I really enjoyed falling into the comfort of the bed.  It was easy to get a good night’s sleep after covering a few of the glowing buttons in the room.

The minibar was quite impressive with crystal leaded glasses, a variety of liquors, snacks and other instant wants/needs. While many hotels are getting rid of the minibar, the Sea Containers Hotel London celebrates the lifestyle of fun entertainment in the lobby, in the roof and on the rooftop at the Rumpus Room.

The hotel, like many in London of late, offers a free smartphone to use during your stay.  The phone can be used outside the property and is filled with many apps and information that can prove useful to visitors who don’t want to use their own smartphones and incur exorbitant international data fees.  I’ve test driven the phone at a different hotel and found it quite useful, however, my unit at Mondrian had issues that needed to be reset so I didn’t use the amenity this visit.

The Bathroom at Sea Containers Hotel in London

With a large walk-in shower containing a rainfall option and Malin + Goetz amenities, it was refreshing.  There were many towels and good water pressure.  The standard room does not provide a bathrobe but the concierge, front desk or housekeeping can easily arrange to have one delivered.

Sea Containers Restaurant

With the holiday weekend afoot, the restaurant was serving a buffet only breakfast (no ala carte) and a special menu on New Year’s Eve so I wasn’t able to eat here until they had an ala carte option to address my food allergies and intolerances.  For breakfast, they have a lovely buffet full of standard European and American foods.  I ordered ala carte and really enjoyed my pancakes and (streaky) bacon.

The Rumpus Room at Sea Containers Hotel London

There’s a rooftop bar in London – how fantastic!  I did a quick walk through as I didn’t feel like drinking alone in a full bar – I was feeling a bit shut out honestly looking at all the New Year’s Eve couples and groups so I think this may have been just timing for me.  The space serves small bites and a lengthy cocktail list.  My draw was the outside space with heaters, blankets and gorgeous nighttime views of the river and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Local friends say that the Rumpus Room is a lot of fun to visit so next time I’ll give it a go.

Sea Containers Hotel London – Room Service

Given it was New Year’s Eve dinner and the majority of restaurants in the area were closed or on a pre-fixe set menu, I was relegated to using room service for dinner which was fine as the menu had a good variety of options.  The delivery fee was £3.50 and the service charge 12% (not too painful).  I ordered a burger with chips (fries) and a glass of wine (budget buster).  I was told 30 minutes and the food arrived on time, was well presented and tasted even better.  It was a good fuel for my late night sitting on the Waterloo Bridge waiting on the fireworks.

Sea Containers Hotel Spa and Gym

I had good intentions and even brought my gym clothes but honestly never got around to booking a spa treatment (lots of good options) or found my way to the treadmill (I was walking hours a day in the city already).  The spa is quite posh and the gym a good size.  To access the gym, you need a hotel key card.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Sea Containers Hotel London

The area around the hotel is closed for New Year’s Eve and there is added security in the area and hotel.  At check-in, I was given special wristbands to wear on New Year’s Eve to show that I was a hotel guest and could access the area.  The hotel also left an instruction sheet about New Year’s Eve in the room with all the “need to know” stuff. I didn’t need to show my wristband to any local police on the closed roads but did show it to hotel staff when I returned after the fireworks.  Given the crowds in the area, this security was welcomed.

Sea Containers Hotel London – Concierge

Prior to my stay, I emailed the hotel for suggestions and the Concierge was spot on with recommendations.  The key one was Borough Market about 15 minutes’ walk from the hotel.  I hadn’t been to Borough Market in years so revisiting was special way to get a feel for the Southwark neighborhood and explore the newest food options in the city.   When I was onsite, the concierge desk was generally staffed by two people all day and night.  I always stopped by to say “hi”, ask for directions, options and opinions.  They were friendly and always quick to pull out a Mondrian card and not only write down the suggestions but draw a quick map to take with me.  This is service that is often lost today with apps and smartphones so the personal interaction was most welcomed.  I requested slippers and they were quickly delivered.

Overall – Sea Containers Hotel London on the Thames

While I originally thought the Mondrian London (now Sea Containers Hotel) was a great location for the London Fireworks (it was perfect), I was really impressed that my expectations were exceeded from beginning (reservations) to end (check-out). The service and experience was seamless – as a guest, I felt welcomed the entire stay and that’s not that easy to do nowadays.   It wasn’t easy to get through the lobby or a door without a greeting.  While the hotel has a good amount of rooms (359,  many with river views), it never felt massive, it really did feel boutique small-ish.  I met friends in the lobby for drinks/coffee as if I was entertaining at home.  When the only compliant I had the entire time was the quality of the tissues (I have allergies and my nose would have liked softer option), then you know that this hotel is now joining my list of favorites in London.  The Sea Containers Hotel London (formerly Mondrian London Hotel) is a luxury stay in terms of service, design, experience and destination – the Thames view and location is just a bonus!

For the my first World Travel Market conference (WTM), one of the largest travel events in Europe, held each year in London at November, I knew that I needed my hotel to be easy as convention days are long and exhausting.  As the conference was being held at the ExCel Convention Center (in the Docklands which is outside of central London about 30 minutes + by transit depending on your starting point), I hoped for a points stay at the London Aloft Excel which is the hotel at Excel Convention Center. Basically you don’t need a coat to walk from one building to the other it’s that close!  Lucky for me, I found a room for (then) SPG points per night and instantly booked the room before I bought airfare or registered for the conference.  You need to be strategic when the conference is expecting over ten thousand (yes 10,000+) attendees and the hotel is steps away with 252 rooms, 12 suites and 19 accessible rooms.

London Aloft Excel – Location at Docklands

The Aloft Excel is far from Heathrow (but close to City Airport LCY) so with other plans scheduled for the day, I happily paid Airportr to deliver my bags from the airport to the hotel.  Located out of central London it’s about an hour or so by a combination of trains (Heathrow Express to Paddington, tube and light rail DLR).  From central London you can take the DLR to the ExCel Center station at Prince Regent. While there isn’t a lot of life around the center, go a few stops to Canary Wharf (a business district) and you’ll find many great restaurants.

On the plus side, it’s quiet with a water view.  You can walk to the Emirates Air Line and use your Oyster card to fly over the water to the boat dock to ride into central London on the River Bus (boat transit aka Thames Clipper) past the photo highlights of the city.  Sadly, I had a rainy day.

Arrival at London Aloft Excel

I arrived from the DLR train after spending the day at the Spirit of Christmas Fair (held in late October/early November) and climbed the two flights of stairs as if I were going to the Excel conference center.  There is an entrance to the hotel at this level bringing you in at the 2^nd floor Docksider restaurant lobby so you can take the lift (elevator) down to the lobby or use the wooden spiral stairs.

The small circular front desk was a quick check in and as this is a limited service hotel with standard rooms there was no gold upgrade available so I chose the points over the drink option for my Gold status amenity.  Wi-Fi is free for all (what a concept). My bags were quickly retrieved from the storage room and I was off to my room.

London Aloft Excel – re:fuel grab & go

There is a small takeaway shop called re:fuel that pretty much had everything you need in a grab and go – coffee, pastries, pre-packaged sandwiches, snacks and drinks.  The prices were reasonable.  The local market was about a ten minute walk through the convention center to local shops.  The convention center has fast food options and a few sit down restaurants that are open various hours depending on the event.

My Aloft Room in London

The elevator plays upbeat music that makes you want to dance which is the opposite of the hallways which are pin drop quiet but nicely designed with color accents and lighting features.  When I reached my room, I was pleasantly surprised by the large space and how well designed it was.

When I entered the room, the open sink space was on the left with a closet behind it.  The bedroom with wall length desks and seating was in front of me as was a water & parking lot view.

The bedroom was practical in all ways – the bed had two nightstands, the room had two desks, the TV was mounted in between the desks in front of the bed.  The windows had room darkening shades to pull (no curtains) down. The iron and ironing board were hidden in the built in nightstand. It was simple and the design helped elevate the mood from conference hotel to a boutique like experience with a different Starwood concept (imagined as a “vision of W Hotels”).

The open bathroom is designed to help couples share a room more efficiently with the sink open into the room with the toilet and shower behind a sliding door.  The walk in shower had Bliss products in eco-friendly mounted bottles (sadly I could not feed my toiletry chipmunk habit). The only oddity for me was the glass shower looked into the room but had a shade if needed (I’m not a fan of the glass doors as glass room wall).

London Aloft Excel Restaurant

The Aloft Excel restaurant, Docksider Bar & Restaurant, has a set lunch menu (if you don’t want to wait in the long queues at the conference center) of two courses.  It’s a nice change from the fast food options at the center to sit down and enjoy lunch with a glass of wine of course!

The dinner menu is standard fare with burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and entrees.  During my stay the restaurant wasn’t crowded after the convention folks had left.  The service was a bit harried during lunch but leisurely at night – all were friendly and the food was good.

XYZ Lobby Bar at London Aloft Excel

I had a drink and some appetizers in the lobby one night when I was too lazy to get on the train to Canary Wharf.  The bartender was friendly, the live music (guy on a guitar that night) was good and the food good. Despite sitting at the bar alone, no one bothered me and the bartender was all business so you can be alone if you want.

Other London Aloft Excel Amenities

There’s a gym and a pool! A pool in London what a perk!  With a busy conference schedule I didn’t get to use either as I was so happy to fall into bed each night.  This property is also dog friendly (up to 40 lbs.) with their ARF (Animals are Fun) program.  A dog friendly London hotel is a rarity in my experience. The bar also had a pool table and the hotel is constantly updating its social events and artist/musician appearances.

Final Thoughts – London Aloft Excel

The Aloft at Excel is a limited service hotel which keep prices lower and gives the guest what they want – simple nicely designed hotels with comfortable spaces to eat, sleep and work. The London Aloft Excel website describes the hotel as “……sassy, ultra-effortless, fresh, fun, fulfilling, modern…”  I’m not sure about “sassy” but I think the hotel definitely captures the spirit of the modern traveler.  If you are visiting ExCel Convention Centre, this is the perfect place to stay in London.  The London Aloft Excel exceeded my expectations in product, design and service.

Note: 

ExCel Convention Visitor/Exhibitor: The hotel books up quickly for conventions/events so book early (if using points you can always book and cancel later without penalty).  They do offer Marriott points redemptions. If attending an event at ExCel, this is a fantastic hotel to stay in.

Flying to/from London City Airport (LCY): If you need a hotel in East London close to London City Airport (LCY) this is a wonderful option.  They also offer day rooms if you need that. City Airport is 20 minutes by DLR and a bit less by bus or taxi.

Going to O2 for a concert or event?  The London Aloft Excel is a nice option across the river.  It a short walk to the Emirates Air Line to transit the water.

First Time London visit (for vacation):  I don’t recommend staying this far out (the Docklands/O2 area) on your first visit because the cost savings will be offset by the transit cost and commuting time. Use your points instead at the Sheraton Park Lane which is across from Buckingham Palace and close to Hyde Park on Piccadilly.

When the taxi arrived at the Dorset Square Hotel, I swiped my credit card but the taxi wouldn’t accept my US chip card (chip/sign and not chip/PIN) and I had zero cash (unlike me, I know) so I left my bags in the cab and ran into the hotel to the front desk and said “Hi, I’m checking in but first can you give me £15 to pay the cab as he won’t take my credit card?” Without flinching, she opened the cash box and gave me the money.  I left my passport with her to start the check-in process while I went out to pay the cab and retrieve my luggage.  The cab was surprised that the hotel gave me the cash and was ready to drive me to an ATM for cash.  I told him that I had no doubt the hotel would rescue me because it was a Firmdale Hotel.

It’s no secret that I love the Firmdale Hotels in London from the first Soho Hotel stay to my love of the Charlotte Street Hotel in Fitzrovia but sadly my budget often says no.  So for my quick visit to London after three days in Edinburgh, I found a bank holiday deal at the Dorset Square Hotel in Marylebone neighborhood.  Both the townhouse hotel and neighborhood were new to me as I continue to explore new areas of London with each stay.  It’s always a hard choice for me – go back to the hotels I love in neighborhoods that are familiar and easy to explore or try something new.  This something new was a townhouse hotel across from a leafy garden square (site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket game) with new streets to discover.

Dorset Square Hotel – Location in Marylebone

The Dorset Square Hotel is an easy fifteen minute walk to Oxford Street shopping with Selfridge’s an easy find (love their Food Hall).  The Marylebone tube station is a five minute walk up the street to the Bakerloo line.  The area has a plethora of boutique shops and restaurants within walking distance, most notably Chiltern Street and the Chiltern Firehouse. A taxi (or Uber) to St. Pancras and King’s Cross train stations is about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic and ranges from £8-15.  Nearest tourist attractions are the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madam Tussauds wax museum but otherwise this is a residential neighborhood.

The Dorset Square Hotel – Arrival & Pre-Arrival

As noted above, I was the crazy American girl running in and asking for money and the front desk didn’t blink with my request so this was obviously nothing new (I can only imagine the crazy guest stories).  The check in was friendly and quick and I was given the always unique room key.  When I calmed down, I noticed the wonderful flowers, complimentary use umbrellas and warm welcoming atmosphere as you walk inside.

Prior to arrival, the hotel sent a “please confirm arrival” email which prompted me to inform them that I had a package arriving that I wished them to hold until my arrival.  My niece wanted a macaron refill kit for the gift I had bought at the U.K. Spirit of Christmas fair so I ordered online and shipped to the hotel.  My package was in the room waiting for me although the front desk did express concern as they were waiting all week and it was hand delivered that day.

The Dorset Square Hotel Drawing Room

The first floor front windows look out to the garden square and have the front desk and small lobby in one room while the Drawing Room with Fireplace and Honesty Bar occupies the other small room. Each Firmdale property has one (or two) drawing/living rooms for guests and visitors to enjoy which is a wonderful design feature.

The Drawing Room is so lovely that you can meet friends here for drinks, relax reading a book as if it’s your home or use the desk to work on with the views of the garden and people watching outside.  Either way, I wanted this type of room at home, don’t you agree?

The Superior Room at The Dorset Square Hotel

The luxury townhouse hotel has 38 individually designed rooms in six categories which includes single rooms with twin bed (107 sq. ft.).  I love that the Firmdale Hotels cater to the solo traveler at their townhouse locations – the rooms may be smaller with twin bed but luxury and highly styled. I was tempted to try the single room on this trip but for a few dollars more I was able to reserve the Superior Room category with a Queen bed. The room would still be on the small cozy side but wouldn’t feel that way with the décor.   The room averages 194 sq. ft. (the average American hotel room is 250-300 sq. ft).

As I exited the small lift onto the 4th floor, a garden themed hallway with vegetables on the wallpaper (it worked), and my room would be the first in the hall on the left.  I tapped the hotel key on the reader and opened the door to my hideaway, Room 401. As I was on the top floor of the townhouse, my room had a slanted ceiling nearest to the windows on one side of the bed (yes, of course I bumped my head a few times never learning).  Every inch of the room was used well – I had a desk with chair, a reading area with chair, flat screen tv and table as well as my bed and built in closets.

On the bedside table was a handwritten welcome note from the manager (a standard amenity at all Firmdale’s Hotels) with a lovely spa amenity from the Kit Kemp collection called RikRak and a typed letter with information on the area and what’s on.   Later in the evening at turndown, the hotel would prepare the bed for sleeping and leave bottled water and a sleepy time lavender spray.   As if one needed help to sleep on the indulgent Frette linens and comfy bed.

The windows hidden behind the shutters and darkening curtains actually opened which was a nice feature that you don’t see at many hotels anymore.  Fresh air is always welcomed. My view was not that of the gardens but of the buildings on the other side of the building.

The closets provided ample space and storage for your clothes.  It also contained the safe, partial minibar of dry goods (candy, crisps, etc.) and the hairdryer with outlets inside.

The wall had a knob that at first I thought was a weird decoration but then I pulled on it and it revealed a minibar refrigerator which was a clever designed surprise.

The Superior Room Bathroom

The design of the bathroom was quite familiar as it resembled the many prior stays at The Soho Hotel and Charlotte Street Hotel with the grey marble.  Due to the small space, I had a walk in shower rather than the tub/shower combo.  The toiletries are in house now – Kit Kemp’s RikRak.  Towels were displayed on the heated rack and the plush robes located behind the door.  Surprisingly for the small space there was a door instead of a sliding pocket door.

Dorset Square Hotel Breakfast at The Potting Shed

By now, I was clued in on the theme – gardening – especially with the name The Potting Shed.  This well designed restaurant is located on the ground floor (basement for us Americans) with two levels. The lift (elevator) stops on the floor for accessible needs.  The first level is arranged with tables and a booth along the wall while the lower ground (just a few steps) has the bar area. There is natural light from the skylights.

The morning continental breakfast buffet was thoughtfully arranged on a long communal table in the bar area.  I also ordered my hot foods from the ala carte menu as my rate included breakfast. The buffet fresh fruits, homemade granola and various breads and cereals were set up to resemble a work of art in my opinion as all bowls and serving spoons were symmetrical. I was hesitant to disturb the gorgeous settings but alas I was hungry for those berries!

My ala carte eggs, bacon, avocado were fine to accompany my fruit platter.  One thing that does drive me crazy at all three Firmdale hotels I’ve stayed at is that the toast is always overdone and still served that way – maybe it’s an American thing but blackened and crunchy is not my idea of toast.  As a former food server, I’d never leave the kitchen with burnt looking toast and yet in the UK (even at other hotels) no one seems to understand my dismay. I like to melt the butter on my toast not build a crunchy butter and jam messy meal.

Final Thoughts – The Dorset Square Hotel

It was a quick two nights at The Dorset Square Hotel in Marylebone but just like the other Firmdale Hotels in London, I was a fan immediately.  With only 38 rooms it’s hard not to enjoy the personalized attention and feeling like you have the place to yourself.  It was also quiet and I like quiet. The hotel was full and yet I saw people only during breakfast – a few business people, young couples and a family with a baby. When I was leaving the bellman ran out and around the corner to flag down a taxi since I hadn’t pre-ordered one the night before when they asked (oops, sorry about that).  There’s a reason I love these small luxury design hotels and it’s the feeling that I’m truly a guest in their home (hotel) rather than another visitor.  At the Dorset Square Hotel, that feeling started when I ran inside and asked for money….a friend gives you money without asking questions….

My Rates included wifi and breakfast

Sunday £180 + 20% VAT

Monday £193.50 + 20% VAT

My friendly hotel did charge me £1.50 for the cash advance which was less than the cost of the cab ride to an ATM and ATM fees so for this time, I was ok with the convenience fee.