Lastminute.com - Top Secret Hotels REVEALED (London ONLY)

apples1

jamrockjay wrote: »

Thanks Pelican_eats_pigeon for the quick response, with regards to the jacuzzi its not a necessity its just something we thought of as a after touch. Ok here goes i will give u my interpratation of a boutique hotel... I like smaller more lavish hotels somewhere that offers that lil bit extra, i prefer a non chain, somewhere that offers a higher level of service, i do prefer ultra modern to oldie worldie, however i do like one with a theme.
I have just looked at the ones u posted, could u tell me out of the Andaz and the Athenaeum which would get ur vote? Many thanks

Blimey - it's like having a personal travel advisor!! Looking for similar although for 19 Feb. Trying to decide between Andaz (think prob least likely), Athenaeum (run of house room) or Apex (superior king room). I am getting better prices booking direct I think but then I don't want a standard double. Would also really like to have breakfast at the hotel we stay at. Look forward to hearing Pelican's views!

Pelican_eats_pigeon

jamrockjay wrote: »

Thanks Pelican_eats_pigeon for the quick response, with regards to the jacuzzi its not a necessity its just something we thought of as a after touch. Ok here goes i will give u my interpratation of a boutique hotel... I like smaller more lavish hotels somewhere that offers that lil bit extra, i prefer a non chain, somewhere that offers a higher level of service, i do prefer ultra modern to oldie worldie, however i do like one with a theme.
I have just looked at the ones u posted, could u tell me out of the Andaz and the Athenaeum which would get ur vote? Many thanks

Tricky, I have stayed at both and they are both excellent hotels. I suppose it depends on which end of town you'd prefer to be in.

If the Andaz comes down to £125 and the Athenaeum stays at £150, I would go for the Andaz. If they stay within £5 of each other as they are now, just go with your gut feeling. I do recommend waiting till nearer the time to see what happens with prices.

Pelican_eats_pigeon

apples1 wrote: »

Blimey - it's like having a personal travel advisor!! Looking for similar although for 18 Feb. Trying to decide between Andaz (think prob least likely), Athenaeum (run of house room) or Apex (superior king room). I am getting better prices booking direct I think but then I don't want a standard double. Would also really like to have breakfast at the hotel we stay at. Look forward to hearing Pelican's views!

Can I clarify whether you're looking 18 feb or 19 feb? As I think you said 19 on the last page.

I think I ended up with a king size bed at both the Athenaeum and Andaz despite booking the lowest category room through secret hotels.

If you go to the Athenaeum I recommend following the advice of a poster from a couple of pages back and walking up Piccadilly to the Wolseley for breakfast. The breakfast at the Andaz I thought was very good and if booked as part of a room package is only £10pp more than room only.

apples1

Pelican_eats_pigeon wrote: »

Can I clarify whether you're looking 18 feb or 19 feb? As I think you said 19 on the last page.

I think I ended up with a king size bed at both the Athenaeum and Andaz despite booking the lowest category room through secret hotels.

If you go to the Athenaeum I recommend following the advice of a poster from a couple of pages back and walking up Piccadilly to the Wolseley for breakfast. The breakfast at the Andaz I thought was very good and if booked as part of a room package is only £10pp more than room only.

Sorry it was me mistyping. Sat 19th. Have amended post now!

Such a dilemma!! Still v tempted by the Apex too - any thoughts on that by comparison - will hang on a bit to see which come up as top secret whilst checking out direct prices. A little worried to risk getting a poorer room for a rare night away.

jrs200

apples1 wrote: »

Sorry it was me mistyping. Sat 19th. Have amended post now!

Such a dilemma!! Still v tempted by the Apex too - any thoughts on that by comparison - will hang on a bit to see which come up as top secret whilst checking out direct prices. A little worried to risk getting a poorer room for a rare night away.

I wouldn't worry to much about getting a poorer room around those dates, if what I have been seeing on last minute is anything to go by, the deals really do come out a week before. I have seen hotels reduced over the past 2-3 weeks from £190 right down to £110 a night.

Pelican_eats_pigeon

apples1 wrote: »

Sorry it was me mistyping. Sat 19th. Have amended post now!

Such a dilemma!! Still v tempted by the Apex too - any thoughts on that by comparison - will hang on a bit to see which come up as top secret whilst checking out direct prices. A little worried to risk getting a poorer room for a rare night away.

Apex is a very good hotel indeed but it is still primarily a business hotel, for example the interiors don't have some of the little extra touches that make Andaz and Athenaeum 5*. It depends on the price difference, I guess. I would probably pay £30 more for Andaz or Athenaeum.

Lastminute does have a box for requests at the hotel, if you ask very politely and unassumingly for a high floor and a king bed if possible they should do their best to fulfil your request if they have loads of space (v likely at this time of year), especially if it's a special occasion.

Pelican_eats_pigeon

apples1 wrote: »

Blimey - it's like having a personal travel advisor!! Looking for similar although for 19 Feb. Trying to decide between Andaz (think prob least likely), Athenaeum (run of house room) or Apex (superior king room). I am getting better prices booking direct I think but then I don't want a standard double. Would also really like to have breakfast at the hotel we stay at. Look forward to hearing Pelican's views!

The May Fair Hotel (Luxurious hotel in Mayfair with Spa) also seems to have popped up in your price range, £124.54. Probably wouldn't take it over the hotels you are currently considering.

Also, just re-read your first post. For a B&B inclusive rate £145 is as low as the Andaz goes, £125 is for room only.

Geoggy

Pelican_eats_pigeon wrote: »

Good price! When I stayed there at a fairly similar rate I got a very nice room, looked exactly like the pictures on the website, believe it might have even been a deluxe room as the bed looked like a king. You probably won't be overlooking the park though, that costs a little extra.

I don't think the Athenaeum has any particularly bad rooms but you'd be surprised at what some "5-star" hotels have to offer :mad:

Tip: generally it pays to politely request a room on a high floor in the request box lastminute gives you. I generally find rooms on higher floors are on average slightly better.

Just as a thanks again - the hotel was brilliant.

I asked for a King Size bed on check in, as I am tall, and they upgraded us to a Deluxe Room over looking Green Park.

Thanks again fro all your help!

whykt

Pelican_eats_pigeon wrote: »

Nice to know which hotel this is as it could easily have been either Rafayel or Verta. I couldn't find any way to confirm this but now you have - so thanks!

You're very welcome I'm not sure I made the best choice considering its location, but I'm sure the hotel will be excellent. My other option was The Cumberland but Tripadvisor reviews completely put me off!

scatmanmax

This luxurious and elegant hotel in Central London is the place to stay during your visit to the capital! The hotel features three restaurants and a 24-hour bar where you can enjoy all your favourite drinks. Guests can use the luxurious health club and indoor swimming pool, steam and sauna free of charge during their stay. Discover this city by day and night