The entrance area of the hotel looks quite impressive, but check-in is strictly from 2 p.m. I arrived a bit earlier and had to wait.
My first room, Room 303, was extremely small. The bathroom was a reasonable size compared to the rest of the room, but overall it was about half the size of other rooms I later saw (such as 304, 308, or 312). It was listed as a Standard Room, 1 Double Bed, Non Smoking (Small Room) — and “small” is an understatement. Realistically, it’s suitable only for one person; for two, it would be uncomfortably cramped. There was no proper space for luggage, so I had to keep my suitcase on a chair. The view was poor as well.
To make matters worse, I was kept awake by a metallic clinking noise outside the room. I recorded the noise and showed it to the concierge, who kindly moved me to Room 517. This second room was a big improvement — more spacious, better furnished, and it even had a coffee machine.
My booking didn’t include breakfast.
The so-called “gym” or “toning room” was another disappointment. It was a tiny, awkward space squeezed between two floors, containing only a few weights and a bench. It really shouldn’t be advertised as a gym.
While the lobby and entrance give a good first impression, the rooms themselves are dated, with scuffed furniture, mould on the bathroom door, and a dirty shower head. It’s very much a case of style over substance.
At £90 per night for the small room, the value was poor — Hilton nearby charged £104 with b’fast