One of London’s recently opened hotels (2013 was a great year for London indeed), The London Edition has been the talk of the town. Why? Because it brought some much needed glamour and design to ‘the other side of Oxford Street’, and being Ian Schrager’s latest hotel venture (in conjunction with Marriott), everyone wants to see what the boutique hotel daddy has been up to.
I had visited the hotel several times since it opened, but having learned from experience, it is always good to give it a few months for things to get comfortable. And do you know what? I am delighted I waited.
Pre-Arrival
– Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media?
Not really. My stay was organised via email.
– Did I try to engage the hotel via Twitter? Did the hotel interact with me and made me feel welcome/special?
I did and wasn’t very easy to get something back initially, but during my stay the brand account interacted with me. Worth noting that the hotel doesn’t have a dedicated twitter account, which explains this.
– Has the hotel tried to gather any personal information (e.g. preferences) prior to my stay?
Not really and that was not a problem, at all.
Arrival
– The wow factor! What was the hotel decor style?
You cannot be indifferent to the hotel lobby, which is simply stunning. Busy at particular times of the day (or alive, as I like to call it), it was always a pleasure to enter this space. And use it at different times of the day – it has a very different day/night vibe and I found it very comfortable.
– How quick and efficient was the hotel check-in?
It was fantastic – there are a few touch points from the moment you walk into the door, which staff strategically located to ascertain if you are a hotel guest or not, and I was quickly escorted to the reception area, which is a bit tucked away from the main lobby.
– Was I addressed by name once reservation has been located? (it is all about the small details, some others are outstanding with this, and I love it, like I do when I board an airplane)
I was indeed.
– Did I get an upgrade from my confirmed pre-booked room type?
I did indeed and I was upgraded to a Loft Room.
– Did I feel genuinely welcomed by the hotel staff?
Throughout my stay I never had a problem and plenty of people saying hello.
– Luggage – how many people did I have to tip before the luggage made it safely to my room? This is cultural, I know
I had a small carry on and it was taken away from me as I was escorted to my room.
– Wi-fi – was I told anything about it? Was there a charge?
Obviously there was wi-fi and it is included in all room rates.
Room Experience
– First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
Standard rooms have developed a little bit of a reputation for being quite compact, but our Loft King was spacious. Interestingly enough, as soon as you leave the reception area, the hotel feels incredibly… alpine! I wasn’t quite sure why, but the extensive use of wood and the furry bed throws gave me that feel. And very comfortable too!
– Welcome amenity
We had love solely rhubarb and apple tarts with a special ‘tea’ on arrival, which changed daily throughout our stay.
– The bed
Was amazing – uber comfortable and I did not want to leave. Ever.
– Closet/Wardrobe – proper hangers or those annoying ones where you need a PhD to get them out one by one? This is a personal pet peeve of mine. I can’t stand them.
Not a problem in this department.
– Iphone Charger/Dock
For the first time ever, a hotel with an iPhone 5 charger – amazing stuff!
– Bathrobes and slippers
Yes, but we did not use.
– Coffee and Tea
We had a great mini bar but did not find any coffee or tea making facilities. I would assume it would be very straightforward to order some. Personally, and as I said countless times, I much rather prefer this option.
– Free bottled water
Yes, and changed daily.
– Magazine selection – had some nice surprises and doesn’t happen often enough!
Very decent, and included Vogue.
– Power sockets in useful places – we have more and more devices and we know where we want them! By the bed, by the working area.
We did not have a problem at all.
Bathroom
– First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
The bathroom was fabulous. Seriously fabulous.
– Bath, shower and taps – I am looking for Duravits and Hansgrohes (or other fab brands) around the world. How fab was the shower? And a little pet peeve.. was I able to operate the shower without asking Mr. O for help?
One of each, thank you very much. The did not use the bath, but the shower head was amazing. All state of the art, very white, just the way I like it.
– Towels – yes, please! How many and how soft and lovely?
Not a problem and plenty.
– Toiletries – own brand, super brand, baby ones or proper ones? I shall find out!
I was actually surprised by the ‘own brand’ toiletries. But on closer inspection it was revealed that they are Labo and branded especially for edition. I used the shower gel and it smelled lovely.
– Amenity kit – I don’t want more sewing kits thank you very much, but I will need a shower cap.
All there, as one would expect.
– Hairdryer – is it a human one, or just something stuck to a wall that only makes noise?
It looked very ‘real’, but I did not use it.
Bar
Oh, where do I start? In the name of research, *only* (who am I kidding, you know me by now!), I had to inspect the 3 bar options the hotel has. And I have excellent things to report (worth noting that I had been before and since my stay and really like the hotel bars. Plural.)
One of London’s best kept secrets (or maybe not), the Punch Room is tucked away in the back, after reception. You will find a door on your left (without any signage). I love this place – very unassuming, very relaxed, perfect for various occasions. I love the ‘punch’ concept and the incredible bar snacks. Needless to say, I did not resist.
After dinner, we actually used the main lobby bar every night – it was lively, great for people watching. It was also really quite comfortable (the sofas we chose) and we loved it. I also loved the fact that the bar had Tanqueray Malacca, which is a new obsession and not easy to find. I was at home.
And lastly, the other option you have, is the bar at Berners Tavern, the hotel’s iconic restaurant. We had a pre dinner drink here and also enjoyed it.
Restaurant
Getting a table at Berners Tavern is still not easy – the restaurant is really *that* popular and a destination in itself. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect menu-wise and was really pleasantly surprised with how modern ‘British’ it was. I had oysters and sea bream and really liked it. Mr. O had steak and raved about it. We shared a coconut creme brûlée, because we could not resist. Dinner costs around £40-70 per person and I thought everything was very reasonably priced. Service was good too.
We also had breakfast, which is served a la carte, and again, great value and good quality. And have you seen how stunning the room looked?
General thoughts
– How good and reliable was the wi-fi?
Very good and we did not have a problem.
– Did the hotel interact with me via Twitter during my stay?
A little bit.
– Location
On the ‘other side’ of Oxford Circus, it was actually quite interesting – for once I was close to Soho, where we went out for dinner one night, and Charlotte Street, where I always wanted to go and never do. It life brings you to the West End, you will not have a problem.
– Cost – rooms starting from…
Rooms start from £295 and my King Loft from £490.
– Would I recommend it to my best friend?
Without a doubt.
– Would I stay again?
Oh yes, and have recommended it to quite a few people who have also loved it. I was very impressed with the London Edition.
Have you visited this hotel? What were your thoughts?
xo
Mrs. O
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Marriott Hotels during this stay, but hopefully you will see that this has not influenced my thoughts about the property. For more information about the hotel, visit its official website.