Intrepid1

OK, I know it is an arcane question but before I resort to calling the hotel directly, here's the deal:

Going to London in April; in past have stayed at the Covent Garden Hotel. Am interested in staying at the Renaissance for comparison purposes if nothing else.

Have booked a great rate including breakfast. What I cannot seem to find out is does the hotel offer a buffet breakfast or is everything off the menu?

I've e-mailed several "review" writers on Tripadvisor with no responses, so am hoping someone here might know.

This may be a deal maker/breaker for me (yes, everyone has their individual priorities). Thanks in advance.

longtimelurker

Hi

I'm breaking the habits of a lifetime in actually posting to answer this but can't resist the chance to give back a bit of info...

Stayed in the Renaissance Chancery Court in early December so here's the lowdown on breakfasts:
We stayed using a deluxe escape voucher which included breakfast (incl in-room if required).

On check-in we were informed the options were -
a)buffet in the hotel lounge
b)half buffet - half a la carte in the Pearl restaurant
c)room service for which we would have to pay a service charge of 12.5%.

The concierge advised that the buffet in the lounge was a little more extensive that the restaurant but she favoured the restaurant for a more glamourous experience - it certainly looks chic through the windows.

In the end, we went for room service. Set breakfasts are full english or continental so my partner (a hungry vegetarian) ordered from the extensive a la carte room service menu instead. At checkout this was queried,as the check out person claimed the voucher only covered two english breakfasts - we replied, politely, that this wasn't indicated anywhere and anyway wasn't suitable for vegetarian. The front desk manager then swooped over, apologised, and agreed voucher covered everything. All very graciously handled.

Based on reading menus and what we ordered I would imagine the buffet is great. Our checkin person certainly seemed to think so. Pastries, fruit plate and partner's blueberry pancakes (a la carte) were delicious. Lowest point was the fry-up which was just ok but then, being Irish, I have high standards when it comes to rashers.

The hotel is lovely, staff friendly and I liked the location - short walk to covent garden. Btw if you are driving and its a weekend, the first side street off high holborn a bit further down on the side opposite the hotel, next to an asian restaurant has free parking from around 3 pm sat and all day sun.

Enjoy

Intrepid1

Thank you <b>very much</b> for taking the time to reply.

I love the Covent Garden Hotel and one of many reasons is the personal service you get there. Their buffet breakfast is adequate but not greatly extensive. I know the rooms at the CVH are more elaborately decorated than those at the Renaissance but the Renaissance, for me, offers some advantages so thought I would give it a go. Am not driving but thanks for that info as well.

Best regards to you.

itsv

Agree with previous poster about breakfast at Chancery Court. The breakfast can be pricey (about 25 pounds) so if you get it included in your room rate, its a a deal. We love this hotel and our returning back this summer. Great service, very nice rooms and the location is perfect for getting around London. Covent Garden isn't too far away for walking over to.

Intrepid1

Thanks, Itsv, for that recommendation. One &quot;advantage&quot; I think the Renaissance offers is the proximity to the Holborn tube stop and the price is cheaper than a more or less &quot;comparable&quot; room at the CGH, so now I am inclined to definitely try the place out this coming April.

wombat7

Intrepid - if you are prepared to wait a few more days I'll give you blow by blow on the buffet. My first morning will be Monday, and am prepared to go hrough the ordeal of trying the breakfast buffet - only to helpout a fellow Fodorite mind you!