Are the really expensive hotels in London worth the premium?

SavingforDiamonds

Secret Escapes always have a few options for London, sometimes for under £100 per night including breakfast (less expensive than even some 'budget' hotels in London). They are all 4* and 5* hotels I think, and sometimes include a bottle of wine in the room or that kind of thing.
If you're not already a member and sign up using the link I have put in the Secret Escapes thread on the referrers board, you will get £15 free credit to use towards your first purchase.
I always like to stay in quite nice hotels now (too many holidays spoiled by sleepless nights in noisy hotels!), but I don't think that somewhere like the Shangri La would be worth it for one night when you can't check in until the afternoon and then have to check out the next morning. Really fancy hotels are better if you're staying a few days I think - if you think you might stay in some evenings or you like to sleep in or go back to the room during the day in between shopping or whatever you're doing.

SavingforDiamonds

I've just checked the Secret Escapes website for their cheapest current deal in London and they have rooms at Ramada Hotel & Suites London Docklands (4*) from £85 a night B&B or £109 a night dinner and B&B (that's for 2 people, not per person). Bookings are only available up to August for that particular deal, but it might be worth checking back in the next couple of months to see what they have available for when you go.

nearlyrich

I have stayed in lots of hotels in London mainly for work in one of the most expensive I had the worst room I have ever slept in. I recommend the newer Premier Inns as they are very comfortable and you know you will get a comfortable bed and your money back if you don't have a good night. As you are going out in the West End spending the difference on a good meal makes sense have fun whatever you decide.

paddyrg

Couple of added points, whilst we're on the topic...

Beware of taking mystery hotel sites at face value, I've stayed at a 4* 'worth' £450/night which was clearly a massively inflated price so they could discount it through one of these sites. A premier inn or similar would have at least been honestly priced and probably cleaner.

Using 'points' for hotels - this is when going for the top-end/flagship hotels are best value - for instance staying at a discount brand ('worth' £80/night) may be 25000 points, and the flagship brand ('worth' £400/night) may be 45000 points. If you're paying points, the exchange rate is frequently better for premium hotel brands.

Prudent

I am a comper and thanks to the competition section on the forums have stayed in many really lovely hotels including a few in London. My favourite in London was The Athenaeum which was abounding in both luxury and nice small touches (such as runner's maps and water bottles at the front door). I do really enjoy my stays, but would never pay that kind of money as I would rather have money to spend on things to do when I am there.

In the Easter holidays I had won a break to a Hotel du Vin in a smart English city. As it was a long journey from Scotland I also booked three nights in a Travelodge at another nice city en route. We were exceptionally lucky with the Travelodge as it had recently been refurbished and the room we were given was quiet with an exceptional view. The room in Hotel du Vin was a similar size, both rooms were clean and we had no problems with either stay. The service was friendlier in the travelodge and the room in Hotel du Vin was slightly scuffed. The pluses in Hotel du Vin were: a lovely window seat, a coffee machine, nice toiletries, bathrobes, iron & ironing board, more TV channels, a super king bed, a fabulous bath and shower, fresh milk, bags taken to our room, some magazines. The price difference was over £200 per night. Personally I wouldn't have paid the extra.

bylromarha

Cheapest Premier Inn in Central London for the night I want is £139. So have booked the Taj St James Park - rack rate £529. Hotels.com £169. Worth the extra £30 IMO to make it much more special than the brand we normally stay in, but not break the bank at all. Thanks all.