Blakemore Hyde Park

This was our fifth stay, and the previous four times everything had been fantastic. The hotel is still great, but the executive rooms are beginning to feel worn and could do with refurbishment to keep the 4-star standard. The window catch was broken, there was mould in the shower’s bottom corners, and the tray had small holes in its base. Water poured from the top of the rain shower head, the air conditioning worked on and off during the start of a very warm spell in May, and the carpet was coming away at the edges.

We had two Club rooms for three nights, one with twin beds and one with a king. The breakfast was great, with juice, tea, coffee, a full English, yoghurt, fruit, cereal, cheese, charcuterie and pastries, so there was something for everyone. The breakfast hostess was a highlight, cheerfully directing people around the dining room and seating guests. We also had a delicious dinner in the restaurant one evening, and there’s a nice bar. The staff were exceptionally helpful and attentive, and went out of their way to accommodate my mother, who uses a walker. The rooms were spacious by London standards and had everything we needed. The beds were comfortable but a little soft. It was very warm in the room, though the windows opened to let in fresh air. The hotel looks great from the street, with nice lighting and a welcoming feel, which put us at ease after arriving with low expectations. Choosing a London hotel can be tricky, and reading reviews can make you doubt your choice, but I think you can feel good about booking here despite any negative reviews. It’s fairly central. Walking to Trafalgar Square takes about an hour, as do many London destinations, and there’s plenty to see on the way. There are two tube stations nearby, plenty of buses, and Paddington Station is a 10-15 minute walk. Having visited London many times, I found it well placed for Notting Hill and Bayswater to the west and Kensington to the south. I’d highly recommend it for comfort, good food, attentive staff and value for money by London standards.

We spent five nights at Blakemore Hyde Park. The rooms were comfortable and the staff were kind and pleasant, but several problems affected our stay. The biggest disappointment was the Wi-Fi. Although free Wi-Fi is advertised throughout the hotel, it kept dropping, and when it did connect it was weak and very slow. We left our luggage at the hotel, and our suitcase was forced under a metal shelf and torn before our flight. We didn’t receive compensation or a proper response. Getting around also took more time and money than expected. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the nearest public transport stations, and the closest ones aren’t central, so we often had to change lines. Major central London attractions took about 30 minutes to reach. There’s one small elevator for all six floors, with room for five at most, so waits were long throughout the stay. Breakfast was fine, but around 15 tables serve roughly 90 rooms. Most mornings we queued for a table, and one day we had to arrive at 7:45 AM to avoid the line. In the room, the shower pressure was poor and there was mould by the soap. The towels smelled strongly of detergent, which was unpleasant. There were very few power outlets, all far from the beds, so charging a phone beside you overnight wasn’t possible. That’s especially inconvenient when travelling in Europe. We brought a power strip, which helped, but guests without one will likely struggle. The mini fridge could hold bottled water but didn’t cool it properly, mostly just keeping it at the temperature it was already. The beds were spacious and comfortable, though the mattresses were very soft, and anyone wanting firmer support may wake with back discomfort. There are several significant issues to know about before booking.

The rooms were spacious and comfortable and the breakfast was good, but what made our stay was the staff. Biju Matthew, Nicoletta, and Huseyin were outstanding, friendly and attentive, and clearly cared about making the visit enjoyable. They went above and beyond and made a real difference. I booked through Booking.com, and my review was published before I had a chance to mention them. I would have rated the hotel closer to a 3-star experience because the Wi-Fi was extremely slow and caused problems with my work, which depends on a strong connection. Paddington Station was also a bit farther away than I expected, which was disappointing. Even with those drawbacks, the staff’s exceptional service is why I’d still recommend the hotel.