Sunday, September 30, 2012

Holiday Inn Mayfair, London (Hotel Reviews ? Hotel ? Standard)

recommended by Paul Oswell



If you're anything like me, then you've probably shunned Mayfair as an impossible unaffordable place to stay. What's there? Hotels where the afternoon tea service costs as much as a night in an average property, and there are no prices on anything as if you need to ask, then you definitely can't afford it.

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That's what I figured, anyway, until that is I was lucky enough to stay at the Holiday Inn Mayfair. Wait a minute, I hear you ask, what's the catch? Is it in some werdly unfashionable part of the neighbourhood, hidden behind some bins? Well, no it isn't. It's in a prime spot right next to Green Park, the tube station of the same name and all of the blatant swankery of this plum part of town.

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I would go one further, in fact, and say that it's in a near-ideal location within Mayfair, being as it is equidistant from both the West End AND Hyde Park, so whether it's the capital's most famous shopping district or it's best-loved greenery you're after, you don't have far to walk either way.

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Anyway, with much relief on a satisfyingly hot day, I took a minute's stroll from Green Park tube to the bright lobby, where the staff were as welcoming as the weather. Professional and courteous, I heard them speak at least four languages in the short time I was checking in, which verges on showing off, and would be if they weren't all so damn charming.

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The hotel itself is a big city hotel, some 200 or so rooms and as busy as you'd expect for central London. There's a feeling of space, though, and even though it was peak season, I didn't feel at all crowded.

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The rooms are fairly standard, but noticeably bright and clean, colourful and airy. And many of them have stirring views of some of the capital's well-known views, the grand buildings around Green Park, the bustle of tourists and central London life. It's all quite pleasing.

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The pleasantry continues downstairs in the hotel's bar and restaurant, Nightingales. The decor is modern, stylish without being stuffy and it's an affordable option, particularly in these parts.

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I encountered the serving staff under unusual circumstances. I was late down for breakfast, and they delayed clearing the last of the tasty buffet to let me sit down and grab a bite and a coffee. Due to a weird timetable that day, I was also first down to lunch (I'm not usually such a glutton, just it would be a long time before I could eat again) and so there was a slightly awkward (on my part) "here I am again" moment as the same breakfast staff sat me down.

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No matter, the lovely server sat me down and we made a few jokes about my appetite and a potentially eggy situation was made perfectly enjoyable by the personal touch. Oh, and the food - at both breakfast and my lunch two hours later - was light, fresh and delicious.

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I had a few minor business tasks that again, the reception desk were happy to help me with, and with that I was on my way, stepping out into Mayfair, feeling all the while as if I'd found a loophole in the law that says you have to spend a fortune to stay here. The sunshine seemed even brighter that morning.

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For a quote or to book a room at Holiday Inn London Mayfair please contact 0871 942 9110 and quote ? IKSOP? or log onto? http://www.hilondonmayfairhotel.co.uk/

Berkeley St 3, London, UK

Contact tel: +44 0871 9429110

Cost standard double room: ???

Services fitness equipment, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, creche/listening service, room service, business services, internet access, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning

Useful links
Holiday Inn London Mayfair


Source: http://www.thetraveleditor.com/article/9552/Hotel_Reviews_Hotel_Standard_Holiday_Inn_Mayfair_London.html

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