Crowne Plaza London The City

Je me suis rendu dans cet hôtel car j'ai obtenu un tarif intéressant. La chambre était spacieuse, bien équipée et propre. La vue était agréable mais il est vrai que certaines chambres ont vu sur l'intérieur de l'hôtel ce qui n'est pas du tout agréable.

L'hôtel est juste à coté du métro ce qui est pratique sinon on peut marcher quelques minutes à pieds pour rejoindre Saint-Paul. Nous nous trouvons dans la City, pas beaucoup d'activité le week-end.

Je vous recommande cet hôtel si obtenez un bon tarif

Nous avons séjourné 3 nuits dans cet hôtel (2 adultes et un enfant), du 17 au 19 Mai 2007 et nous avons été séduits par notre séjour.

Petite déception toutefois en arrivant dans notre chambre : la fenêtre de celle-ci donnait non pas sur l'extérieur, mais sur une façade située dans le hall (monumental) de l'hôtel avec une autre façade en vis à vis, très proche.

Un petit passage par la réception, et 5 minutes plus tard nous nous retrouvions dans une chambre avec une vue "normale".

La vue offerte par cette nouvelle chambre n'était pas non plus extraordinaire (étroite et donnant sur un immeuble de bureau en cours de restructuration), mais on pouvait au moins voir le temps qu'il faisait à l'extérieur.

Un dernier bémol : les fenêtres ne s'ouvrent pas : si nous pouvions dans la nouvelle chambre voir la météo, nous ne pouvions toujours pas connaître la température !

Pour le reste, que du bon : literie très confortable, calme absolu, propreté, emplacement intéressant, au pied du métro Blackfriars,...

Si je veux être complet, j'ajouterai que les ascenseurs se font souvent attendre.

Internet filaire payant (câble fourni) dans la chambre.

Une seule chaîne en Français : TV5

Internet sur la Télévision (clavier sans fil fourni)

The Crowne Plaza City is easily accessible from the Blackfriars tube station (exit 8 I think), and there are two entrances to this hotel, but both take you to reception, whether you decide to enter the hotel via either way.

The reception is very large open plan, wonderful comfy couches, huge gas fire, and a very beautiful silver clock. Receptionists were efficient, gave me two card keys without me having to ask, and we were directed to our room. Now here comes the fun bit.

The hotel had agreed to upgrade us to a better room than we had originally booked (this is the first time in 5 years of staying with the ICH group of hotels I hasten to add!), and whilst the room was nice and cosy (see pics), the view was indescribably bad! I immediately closed the curtains and left them closed all weekend. You must see the pics to understand what I mean. This was room 609, there were also other rooms facing this white facade. I would have thought that a hotel of this calibre would at least try to make a boring view a little more interesting for its paying guests, but hey!

The hotel, whilst busy, appeared quiet. The Crowne plazas must do something to fire doors/room doors/lift doors, to make them extra quiet, and I like this feature of the hotel. Why holiday inns aren't as quiet, I will never know!

There were at least two chairs to relax in the bedroom, and the room had a very comfy bed/tea/coffee making facilities to make you feel at home. The furniture showed a little sign of wear and tear (the hanger in the wardrobe fell off as I placed a blouse in it!), but good quality fittings throughout.

The shower had good pressure, and the bath water also filled the bath quick enough.

We ate at the restaurant on a saturday night. We were on the fixed price menu (included in our £150 per night stay), and I was really disappointed with my two first courses. I had smoked mozzarella and beetroot salad. I felt as though the quality was of that which you could have prepared yourself with ingredients from tesco. The main course (veggie), was bland, uninspiring and whilst there was plenty, I was so bored I left half of my main course. The dessert was excellent, and service was OK. Why when there were only 4 tables eating they seated them all next to each other, to hear each others conversation, I can only guess that they didn't want far to walk to serve diners.

Breakfast was great, plenty of food, great staff (especially sunday morning), and nothing too much trouble.

I suppose I expected more, so I am disappointed. If you want a room with a view, suggest you contact the hotel directly to ensure you get it.

The Blackfriar pub across the road from the hotel is a must go to - just a great little pub, serving food and a great selection of beers and wines in the middle of london.