Located in the sought-after Eccleston Square, in London’s Pimlico neighbourhood, this little gem of a hotel – the Eccleston Square Hotel, was a very nice surprise. Possibly the most high-tech hotel I have ever stayed at, with a very special ‘home away from home’ feel. Read on, as you may be tempted to check-in sooner than you think.
Pre-Arrival
– Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media?
Well, there were indeed, and I truly felt that my experience at the hotel started a few days before I checked in when I got the ‘pre-arrival’ email. I must confess I was quite intrigued and explored the options before I left home. I was particularly interested in the ‘docking station menu’, and I was able to let the hotel know what devices I would be bringing with me. I also thought the dining information (and local area information) was very thorough and, most importantly, very well curated.
– Did I try to engage the hotel via Twitter? Did the hotel interact with me and made me feel welcome/special?
Absolutely – there was a very personal touch to the messaging and interactions, and once you get there, you realise that it is the hotel owner who looks after the social media which makes a world of difference.
– Has the hotel tried to gather any personal information (e.g. preferences) prior to my stay?
The pre-arrival email was excellent and I was able to select all that I would (possibly) need.
Arrival
– The wow factor! What was the hotel decor style?
I said a little ‘wow’ when I walked in and did not stop for a fair bit. The hotel is beautifully decorated and I loved it. When you walk in, you have a corridor in front of you, and can turn right for the reception area, or left, to the restaurant and bar areas.
– How quick and efficient was the hotel check-in?
Very quick and efficient.
– 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)
Absolutely and that continued throughout the stay. The hotel has under 40 rooms and many repeat guests, which was obvious during my stay. As it is located moments from Victoria Station, many corporates choose this option during the week.
– Did I get an upgrade from my confirmed pre-booked room type?
I did not – the hotel was fully booked and I was assigned a Signature King room.
– Did I feel genuinely welcomed by the hotel staff?
I thought everyone was lovely – and very chatty (in a nice way). I did spend a considerable amount of time at the hotel and being so small, it is easy to recognise staff and vice versa.
– 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 bag with me and took it to my room.
– Wi-fi – was I told anything about it? Was there a charge?
Of course there was wifi. And of course there was no charge.
Room Experience
– First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
Our room wasn’t large by any standards – it was quite compact, but it did not feel claustrophobic. I loved the decor colours (not so much the flurry comforter and pillows) and I was very keen to play with all that would be available.
– Welcome amenity
I was surprised by a very decent selection of reading material and some macarons and sweets. A lovely touch.
– The bed
The bed… should have a blog post totally dedicated to it. It was very possibly one of the best beds I have had the pleasure of sleeping in. The hotel has Hastens beds, which have a life of their own. You can use the remote and adjust anything you would like and not know you need in your life. I loved it.
– 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.
All good in this department.
– Iphone Charger/Dock
Indeed, and as stated before, you could pre-select the exact one you needed prior to arrival, or during your stay.
– Bathrobes and slippers
Yes, of course, and I for once used the bathroom as I did spend a fair amount of time in bed, working from there – as I was extremely comfortable.
– Coffee and Tea
Whereas the is a Nespresso machine in each room, there are no tea making facilities. Why? Because Olivia, the owner of the hotel believes that kettles in the room could pose a potential hygiene factor and prefers to have a fresh pot sent to your room, any time of the day or night, whenever you want it. You literally press a button on the iPad and the tea arrives within 15 minutes. I also decided to order a banana (under ‘comments’) just to see if it was read or not. Result!
– Free bottled water
Of course, but also I liked the ‘fair priced’ mini bar, where all items are sold at cost price. No £8 diet cokes.
– Magazine selection – had some nice surprises and doesn’t happen often enough!
Mine was very nice and tailored to me, and you can see the magazines I got in the photo above.
– 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.
Well well well. If there is a hotel that thought about all this, it would be this one. By the TV you had sets of UK, US and EU sockets as a starter – life changing. Obviously I was ‘playing at home’ on this stay and I only had UK devices. By the beds, you could charge whatever you wanted. Brilliant.
Bathroom
– First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
It was quite spacious and it was stunning. Beautiful really. I do have a thing for bathrooms, as you may know by now.
– 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?
We didn’t have a bathtub, but had a phenomenal shower – it was even a ‘triple’ shower as you could have a rain shower, a power shower or a vanity one. Everything was top range – and surely it wasn’t an accident.
– Towels – yes, please! How many and how soft and lovely?
They were very good. No complaints there.
– Toiletries – own brand, super brand, baby ones or proper ones? I shall find out!
We had baby L’Occitane toiletries which are very good quality – but I must confess I was surprised with the brand choice. I always associate this brand with more rural settings.
– Amenity kit – I don’t want more sewing kits thank you very much, but I will need a shower cap.
Everything we needed was actually hidden in the cupboard, with plenty of space for our own toiletries.
– Hairdryer – is it a human one, or just something stuck to a wall that only makes noise?
It was a good one, as expected.
Dining and Bar
The hotel has a lovely dining area – with a standalone restaurant, bar and breakfast/sitting room. I tried dinner one night and it was good, and breakfast was excellent. I loved the choices and presentation (and the simple a la carte menu).
I thought the bar area was too small and too visible to guests, and something needs to be done there. Also gin selection very limited (with I noted during my stay).
But the best thing about the hotel? The keys that you can borrow and make your way to Eccleston Square Garden. I loved it so much (remember that Notting Hill moment with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant? Something similar to that). Needless to say, I enjoyed a couple of drinks there each day. You can take them from the hotel, or have the team come and prepare a picnic, for example.
General thoughts
– How good and reliable was the wi-fi?
It was excellent and to be honest, I did expect that!
– Did the hotel interact with me via Twitter during my stay?
Absolutely and we had quite a bit of fun.
– Location
For me personally, it was too close to Victoria Station (which isn’t a particularly nice area). But the area of the hotel itself was very civilised and quiet.
– Cost – rooms starting from…
£220 per night.
– Would I recommend it to my best friend?
Absolutely. I think she would love it.
– Would I stay again?
Without a doubt.
Have you visited this hotel? What were your thoughts?
xo
Mrs. O
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Eccleston Square Hotel during this stay, but hopefully you will see that this has not influenced my thoughts about the property.