nytraveler

Just found out we will be able to go to London for a week or so late Sept - and it will be a special event. Have heard good things about this hotel - but would like a personal POV from someone who has actually stayed there. Know the location is great - but how special were the rooms, service etc - we are looking for WOW.

Patrick

Go to the top of this page. Type "One Aldwych" in the search box and click United Kingdom. You will get a lot of former threads. Many refer to the restaurants, but you can tell by the post titles which ones are about the hotel, including some very specific comments.

One hint: I'd ignore the idle ramblings of one m_kingdom who calls the whole area a dumb and says that boutique hotels are all dumps or worse. Once you get past those comments, there are some worthwhile and believable ones.

nytraveler

Thanks Patrick - have already done that. I was really looking for something recent - or perhaps the opportunity to ask questions - room type vs suite etc.

And I well know to ignore MKs rants.

nytraveler

Anybody have experience on deluxe rooms vs Executive suites? Is the room that small? Is the suite worth the extra money (+170 pounds)?

nyc13

I stayed at One Aldwych in January and loved it. The pool is amazing and the lounge downstairs serves terrific drinks and is open fairly late (for London). Our deluxe room was not incredibly large, but it was certainly large enough. That said, the decor is minimalist, so if that isn't your style, it will not be the "wow" you are looking for.

WillTravel

Check out the Luxury Hotels forum at Flyertalk.com.

ms_go

I've stayed there about a half dozen times for work, but the last time was a couple of years ago. It was definitely my favorite among choices right in that area. I'd certainly stay there again if I wanted to be in that area of London and could afford it.

Being on corporate rates, I never stayed in or saw a suite. I have stayed in standard and deluxe rooms. Neither is that big (the standards are very small), but they are nicely appointed and very comfortable -- probably the most comfortable bed I've ever had in Europe. The building is a narrow, kind of Flatiron-type style, so the room configurations differ a bit depending on where you are on the floor -- I remember one room that was quite narrow.

The bar is nice. I only had room service breakfasts, but they were pretty good, if not expensive.

I'm not particularly fond of staying right on The Strand, but One Aldwych happened to be right across the street from our office and that part of The Strand isn't too bad. I recall that some of my colleagues also liked the Covent Garden Hotel, which is not too far away but a little up into the theater district.

And yes, I've been labeled a poseur by m_k2 for liking this hotel.

Patrick

"And yes, I've been labeled a poseur by m_k2 for liking this hotel."

So funny. Is that sort of like being told you lack taste by Anna Nicole Smith? Or being told you are crude by Joan Rivers?

nytraveler

thanks for the info. We don;t mind busy (as you can see form my name) and easily sleep through any kind of noise/disturbance. And I do like the idea of such a central location. Based on everyone;s comments on room size I think we'll need to go for the suite (since we're there 6 days we really need room to relax - not just a bedroom).

thanks for all the comments.

ms_go

My sentiments exactly, Patrick. I think that's the funniest thing I've ever been called.

Nytraveler -- There's a lot of traffic in that area during the day, but I don't recall any real issues with noise at night; although one side of the hotel does face the Lyceum Theatre. That's where Lion King plays, or at least the last time I was there. There are some areas of The Strand that can get kind of deserted late in the evening. I never much cared for the walk back to the Savoy late at night, which is one reason I liked to stay at One Aldwych.