London Hotels Insight provides up-to-date, independent advice for your perfect stay in London. We research guest feedback, meet management and identify hotels at the top of their game.

Are Premier Inn hotels “cheap” or “mid-price”?

February 11, 2010
Premier Inn London

One of our pet obsessions is the budget hotel sector, as shown recently in our two-part Premier Inn versus Travelodge head to head showdown.
Today we ask if Premier Inn – with some solid hotels including its County Hall hotel near the London Eye – genuinely offers a “cheap” product.
Quick research using TripAdvisor and our “Best [...]

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London’s only 3 Michelin star hotel restaurant.

February 10, 2010
Alain Ducasse Dorchester Hotel

The 2010 Michelin Guide has recognised Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester as the city’s fourth 3-star restaurant (and currently the only one in a hotel).
The Dorchester’s General Manager stated that the restaurant offers “outstanding cuisine in elegant surroundings with an unmatched level of service.”  Fresh, seasonal ingredients are served with a modern twist.
Signature dishes at [...]

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Another London hotel wins a green accolade.

February 9, 2010
Lancaster London Guest Room

We’ve recently been strongly championing London’s eco-friendly hotels.
Features have been published on the green Zetter, the eco-obsessed Cavendish, the unwasteful Base2stay and the eco-luxe Rafayel, all of whom have won independent accolades for their green credentials.
In the case of the Cavendish and Base2stay we’ve also personally visited the hotels and quizzed management on their environmental commitment.  In [...]

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Are London hotels really that bad?

February 8, 2010
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2010

TripAdvisor recently published its list of the top 25 hotels to stay in the UK (chosen by Europeans), with London hotels conspicuous by their absence.
The “Travellers’ Choice” 2010  list is made credible by its huge sample size, as it’s based on thousands of TripAdvisor reviews from all over the world.
In my view this sample size [...]

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Best London hotel spas: the Lanesborough.

February 5, 2010
Lanesborough Spa Studio

The Lanesborough epitomises top-notch luxury and service in London.  Surprisingly to some, the hotel also in fact offers decent value for money.
Then there is its heavenly “Spa Studio” too.  This tranquil retreat welcomes you in tired, sending you out refreshed and raring to go.  It’s a worthy competitor to the Dorchester and Berkeley spas among [...]

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Best London hotel spas: the Berkeley.

February 4, 2010
The Berkeley Spa

The Berkeley has not previously featured here, though it’s part of the same luxury hotel group which expertly manages Claridge’s and the Connaught.
Think glitzy decor, scented candles and extravagance and you’re not far from imagining what the Berkeley Spa in Knightsbridge represents.  With its 7th floor location, it also boasts one of London’s few rooftop [...]

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Best London hotel spas: the Mandarin Oriental.

February 3, 2010
Mandarin Oriental London spa

Having covered the exquisite spas at the Dorchester and Sofitel St James, the next stop on our spa tour of London hotels is the Mandarin Oriental.
The Mandarin Oriental’s spa is housed in the basement of this well-known Knightsbridge hotel.  It is the epitome of elegance and indulgence.
Dark granite passages lit up by tea-lights and decorated [...]

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Best London hotel spas: the Renaissance.

February 2, 2010
Renaissance Chancery Court Spa

Looking for a spa with a touch of “Oriental exotic”?
Look no further than the spa at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel.  It has a definite Eastern feel to it, complete with orchids and rockeries, wooden bridges over pebbled streams and organic limestone walls.
If the Dorchester Spa conveys “opulence” and SO Spa by Sofitel, [...]

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Best London hotel spas: Sofitel St James.

February 1, 2010
Sofitel St James Spa

We’ve already mentioned the fabulous new So SPA at Sofitel St James, a hotel with superb décor right in the heart of Piccadilly which is consistently ranked in TripAdvisor’s top 10 London hotels (currently in the top 5).
Just like the Dorchester Spa, So SPA by Sofitel has a diverse range of thoughtful treatments to suit [...]

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Best London hotel spas: the Dorchester.

January 30, 2010
The Dorchester Hotel Spa

While it’s hard to play the ranking game with the luxury spas that abound in London, many consider the Dorchester to be top of the tree.
Think style, elegance and exclusivity all rolled into one.  After all, not many spas can boast of a chandelier made with South Pacific pearls or completely soundproof treatment rooms.  Book [...]

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Introducing London’s best hotel spas…

January 29, 2010
London Hotel Spa

London Hotels Insight today begins a series of articles on the city’s most sumptuous hotel spas.  There is after all no better way to rejuvenate your weary body after a full day’s shopping or sightseeing than a trip to a spa.
But do some people come to London purely to check in to a spa?
Apart from [...]

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Sinful sanctuary at the Lanesborough.

January 28, 2010
Garden Room at the Lanesborough

Smokers have been treated as social pariahs in London since the smoking ban was introduced in 2007.
You often see them huddled in the rain grabbing a quick smoke or seeking sanctuary on a street corner indulging in their very unhealthy habit.
For the top-notch ultra-deluxe Lanesborough however – the luxury hotel which loves to give freebies [...]

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The best London hotel Valentine’s offers.

January 27, 2010
Draycott Hotel London

As we approach February 14th, it becomes increasingly important to home in on a suitable Valentine’s treat for you and your loved one.
And having just revealed some top London romantic treats, today we signpost the best Valentine’s hotel offers to make the most of them.
All hotels selected below are currently riding high on TripAdvisor.  Do [...]

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London for lovers.

January 26, 2010
Romantic London

As we get nearer to Valentine’s Day, you may decide to plan a romantic getaway in London.  This special guide highlights some true loved-up hotspots to help you get firmly into your loved one’s good books!
Brick Lane by Night
This central borough of East London transforms into the heady hubbub of Bangladesh for escapee couples who [...]

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An affordable and eco-friendly Base2stay?

January 25, 2010
Base2stay London

Regular readers will know we’re a little green-obsessed on this blog.
Especially given the typical wastefulness of hotel processes, dictated as they are by the massive daily turnover of guests checking in and out.
With this in mind, the mould-breaking new Rafayel Hotel was recently featured as an example very much in the “eco-luxe” camp.
We’ve also previously [...]

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London’s great historic pubs: south of Thames.

January 22, 2010
Charles Dickens

In the final part of our review of London’s historic pubs, we head south of the river, having already explored Holborn and the City of London.
Southwark was where all the coaches once left for Canterbury as it points south.  It was traditionally full of galleried coaching inns.
Now only The George Inn is left, with just [...]

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