V-Flyer

We are travelling to London this Saturday to go to the theatre, something we do every 3 or 4 months. Our usual hotel, which has become our favourite, is The Cavendish, just behind Fortnum's in St James's.

Anyway, we booked this a couple of months ago for our trip this weekend. I got a phone call today bumping our reservation. :0 n( :0 It turns out there is an IT glitch that has allowed them to take more bookings than they have rooms for, and apparently this Saturday night was fully booked long before I called to make my reservation. n( n(

Anyway, taking it very calmly as screaming down the phone won't help, I was told that they've arranged for me to stay at The May Fair in a like for like room with breakfast at no additional cost to me. y) y) y) Indeed, The Cavendish have handled the payment.

The May Fair looks very plush, dare I say it, even more plush than I'm used to! So, has any v-flyer stayed here and what's it like?

Oh, and to compensate me for the inconvenience, The Cavendish have given me a voucher for a complimentary stay in future. So obviously, I don't mind that at all! :w :w

It's the flagship hotel of Radisson in London and the rooms will be good. There's generally a lot of papparazzi outside looking for Hollyoaks stars.

I have stayed at the Mayfair a few times. It used to be a decent club carlson redemption before they changed the rates. The rooms vary a lot (some have TV in the bathroom) other have original marble bathrooms. They vary in size and decor. None have great views- some look over the back (dead pigeons in the netting). There are not enough lifts and no concierge lifts. The location is good- m and s in the station (just behind green park) and a sainsburys local across the road. Starbucks just round the corner.

Often press camped outside if a z lister is in town (some local restaurants attract celebs as well). I dont think it is as popular for this as it used to be.

I wouldnt say posh-it says 5 star but it is comparable to other high end 4 star rather than a full service 5 star (not comparable to claridges or 4 seasons for example). The staff are a bit distant. Never had breakfast (quiet pricey I think). Had drinks (likewise).

I sometimes stay there for location if in London with my teens but tend to go for Plaza on the River now for club carlson if alone as I prefer the hotel and the location is fine for the office.

It isn't a friendly hotel (it isn't unfriendly- just detached)

You will enjoy it. Eat the apples

Z listers, especially Hollyoaks type, are defo not my scene! Thanks for the tips guys. I must say the hotel looks nice, but it's prices (£360 per night exc breakfast) are beyond what I would normally pay for a hotel so it's nice to give it a try. And very few London hotels have a killer view! Although that said The Cavendish had taken to upgrading me at check in and throwing in champagne and rooms on higher floors have nice views.

Oh and I've seen the prices for drinks, and the price of a bottle of Bolly special cuvée non-vintage is horrendous (£80) :0 especially as I'm currently paying only £29 at Sainsbury's!!

I thought it was a good hotel, not Savoy standard but then nothing much else in London is. The room I was allocated had a modern theme, with leather headboard - marble but minimal style bathroom. I wouldn't be too disappointed.

You can often get it for about £190 midweek which isnt a bad rate for the location.

Barnaby100 wrote:You can often get it for about £190 midweek which isnt a bad rate for the location.

That is a good rate, especially as many hotels gave higher prices on week nights.

Overbooking is not uncommon, particularly given that many rates will allow a no cost cancellation at any point up until until 4pm on the day of arrival. Odd though at a weekend. When working up in Edinburgh we once got, with many apologies, asked to move from our usual haunt (the Caley) to the Missoni. No cost, plus taxi fares plus usual HHonors points plus bonus.

What are you off to see?

pjh wrote:Overbooking is not uncommon, particularly given that many rates will allow a no cost cancellation at any point up until until 4pm on the day of arrival. Odd though at a weekend. When working up in Edinburgh we once got, with many apologies, asked to move from our usual haunt (the Caley) to the Missoni. No cost, plus taxi fares plus usual HHonors points plus bonus.

What are you off to see?

True that overbooking is common, but there you go it happens. The woman I dealt with did acknowledge I was a frequent guest too, but they're not a large chain so there's no loyalty programme offering status that might have given me leverage, although we frequently got room upgrades and champagne.

Anyway we've arrived and can't get into our room until 3pm. First impressions are that it's very much like the Radisson in Manchester on Peter Street. Barnaby said the staff are distant, first impression is bang on; the girl handling check-in was frosty and didn't smile at all initially. I commented to her colleague when she stepped away that she needed to learn how to smile. I was loud enough for her to hear it! Anyway as we went through things she warmed up and I got a smile, but I had to work for it! (But shouldn't have to, it's simple customer service).

We're going to see Les Mis (at last).

It costs nothing to smile and should be obligatory for all front of house staff. I am afraid I would have been the same and made a similar comment which was well within her hearing. ii)

Hopefully the afternoon will improve and you'll have a grand night.

marshy11 wrote:It costs nothing to smile and should be obligatory for all front of house staff. I am afraid I would have been the same and made a similar comment which was well within her hearing. ii)

Hopefully the afternoon will improve and you'll have a grand night.

Thanks marshy. Sadly my OH isn't impressed, mainly because we didn't get our room key until 4.15 on a 3pm check in. We arrived early to boot, so it was a 2+ hour wait with a sore foot (he's suffering), so he moaned too. We got comped a drink. Room is nice though, and big for Central London. Off out now for a snack before the show and then as usual Chinese food at our favourite place in Chinatown.

TTFN

hey bretty
hope you guys have a fantastic evening.

Have a great evening

gfonk wrote:hey bretty
hope you guys have a fantastic evening.

Thanks, we have. And thanks blacky. Great show and stuffed on food (can you believe after a steak lunch we had sushi before the show and have just had Chinese!)

Second thoughts on room: good size, lovely huge bathroom. Room itself very bland in terms of decor. Pleasant enough, but not cosy and too much of one colour: olive green.

Not bad though but I don't think 'im indoors really likes it, and it's not our usual place. We're creatures of habit in these matters.

Bretty wrote:

gfonk wrote:hey bretty
hope you guys have a fantastic evening.

Thanks, we have. And thanks blacky. Great show and stuffed on food (can you believe after a steak lunch we had sushi before the show and have just had Chinese!)

Second thoughts on room: good size, lovely huge bathroom. Room itself very bland in terms of decor. Pleasant enough, but not cosy and too much of one colour: olive green.

Not bad though but I don't think 'im indoors really likes it, and it's not our usual place. We're creatures of habit in these matters.

Top marks on the dining front Bretty ! y)

Hehehe, I dread to think what my Amex bill is gonna be from yesterday's dining alone.

Anyway, it's pissing down here at present so waiting for it to ease off before stepping out into the world. My walk in the park is off, guess it'll have to be shops...

glad to hear you guys had a great night.

Hope you didn't get too wet. Storm barely touched Cornwall despite the met office warnings - had worse on a good day.

Not so bad as we waited for it to ease off, and then the sun cane out and our raincoats had to be put away, it was scorchio!

Never stayed at either but we are staying at The Cavendish for the first time in December for a couple of nights before going on to Paris. I take it you are a fan?!

I judge a hotel (mainly) on the breakfasts- are they up to par?

Maximus wrote:Never stayed at either but we are staying at The Cavendish for the first time in December for a couple of nights before going on to Paris. I take it you are a fan?!

I judge a hotel (mainly) on the breakfasts- are they up to par?

We love The Cavendish, over the last 3 years it's become our favourite place to stay. It's well run with personal service and isn't part of a large derivative chain (it's now part of a small Asian chain). The hotel has a lovely history too with London's only female hotelier and famous chef employed by aristocrats and royalty including Edward VII, the Duke of Windsor and others. So yeah, we love it.

The breakfast is excellent, a huge hot and cold buffet selection with additional items like eggs benedict etc cooked to order. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

May I enquire what your favorite chinese is in Chinatown, my favorite closed?

Well we have 2 really, Wan Chai Corner on the corner of Gerrard Street. It's not a fancy place like some but the food is good and plentiful, and I like my Chinese roasties and Ho fun dishes. My other favourite is Dumplings Legend on Gerrard Street which I like if I have a late night dim sum craving as they specialise in Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai soup dumplings) on the evening menu, and I love them. These dumplings are handmade, and are delicious! They have a full dim sum menu during the day.

And for good honest Japanese food try Tokyo Diner around the corner from Gerrard Street on Newport Place opposite Ku Bar. That's good too.