The Connaught

Arrived expecting the very best experience and frankly I didn’t receive it.

Summary

· Excellent location

· Well decorated

· Good ambience generally

· Comfortable beds

· Small rooms

· Even smaller wardrobes

· Hotel bar full of non-residents who work locally

· Excellent breakfast

· Concierge is excellent

· At times unpredictable service

I checked in just after 5pm and the receptionist took me up to my room, wow was I under whelmed, small, dark and worst of all window looked into back of the building with builders rubbish right outside my window. At £400 a night, not what I expected.

The receptionist still standing at the door could tell I wasn’t happy and tried to placate me by frankly lying and apologised suggesting the builders had just arrived, clearly they had not and clearly she knew I wasn’t going to be happy. Only until I told her in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t happy that the penny finally dropped and she offered to find me another room.

We went back to reception, as I was keen to get changed to go out to dinner that night, I went with her to reception to get a another key, she kindly offered me a complementary coffee but all I wanted was a room. They clearly knew people would object to that room, so why try and palm it off on guests. Anyway after another 10min wait finally we went up to another room, which was better (see picture). By this time I was really late and had a rush to get ready. As I started to unpack my bag, she started saying if there was anything else the hotel could do etc…it suddenly dawned on me she was literally standing looking for a tip! I couldn’t believe it. In most good hotels I don’t mind particularly if the receptionist shows you how various things in the room work etc. None of that and after having wasted almost 30 mins and a lot of inconvenience she was looking for a tip, which I ignored. I asked her to send the butler up to press a shirt for that evening as I now had little time. About 5 mins past and no butler, I phoned the operator and they sent one, who did a brilliant job and brought the shirt back after about 10mins.

As I was changing I realised there was no glass or tumbler in the bathroom, yet again phoned down and asked for someone to put a glass in the bathroom when I went to dinner. Throughout getting changed I had a couple hotel staff knocking on my door thinking it was someone else’s room, again not good.

Finally I was ready and went to the bar to meet a colleague, it was 6.15pm and both bars were very busy, I literally managed to get the last seat in one of the bars, but I suspect that around70% of those people were actually non-residents as there was a door straight outside, again after spending a reasonable room rate leaving it to pure luck to get a seat didn’t impress me.

After dinner at a nearby restaurant I got back to my room to find the duty manager had left me a very nice Lauren Perrier bottle of champagne on ice to apologise for the inconvenience when I arrived, which was a good gesture in the circumstances and a glass had also been placed into the bathroom.

I used the overnight show shine service which they nicely box up when the return it in the morning. However I don’t think they actually cleaned the shoes, they made it look as if they had but I don’t think they did. When I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in London a couple of years ago I did the same thing and the shoes came back as if they were new. This time it was different; they looked exactly the same as I had remembered them the night before.

Breakfast was excellent the next day

Overall I expect much better, the rooms are seriously small and one of the previous reviewers mentioned the lack of wardrobe space so I was aware. However it was only me and only for one night. My king room effectively only had one side of small cupboard for hanging space which isn’t much but doesn’t worry me but it might others who are staying longer. The location and breakfast were excellent and the hotel itself in terms of decoration is excellent as it’s newly renovated. I liked the hotel I just think the service and that’s what your paying a premium for here was at best unpredictable at times. I will stay here again once more in the next few months but if it’s not improved I won’t be back after that.

stayed here a couple of times in 2009; both on business and with my wife.

the connaught is definitely one of the best hotels in London.

friendly staff + warm welcome (with chocolate, fruits etc. up to a butler)

comfortable rooms, offering enough space and very quiet

location is top

restaurant and bars: excellent food/drinks, service and atmosphere

the only minus: small bathrooms, even in a deluxe room you'll get one sink and a bath/shower in one...

to make it a real 5* + hotel experience, it lacks a spa and gym...but they are constructing a new wing with a spa etc. For now, the illuminata spa (5 minute walk) is a great alternative.

The Connaught was the perfect London experience. From the concierge that would arrange anything for you 24/7 ("Andrew at the Connaught"), to walking outside the hotel strolling in Mayfair and Oxford and Bond streets, to having your shoes shined or trousers pressed (and taken up without asking!), or enjoying high tea. Breakfast was also very fresh and personal.

Service here is the key stand out - they even packed our bags when we left!

However, it is expensive (albeit on par with other hotels in the area) and the rooms are small.

Ask for the John Lobb shoe shine.