Afternoon Tea at Amba Hotel in The Terrace. Lovely. Very pretty hotel. Welcoming reception staff as well as those in The Terrace restaurant. Well spaced tables mean you don't have to yell to be heard & it's still cosy. Nice view too. Our food selection was well catered because I had 3 vegetarians in the group as well as 1 who doesn't eat cucumbers. Seamless service & we didn't get rushed out either. We'll defo come back! Thanks to the entire staff at The Terrace for making us feel so welcome. read more

Amba Hotel Charing Cross - Veggie sandwiches - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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I stopped at this hotel to see if they served afternoon tea and scones. I didn't want the full service, just hot tea and and a scone on a rainy day. The hostess greeted me so warmly and said I can do the modified version and it would just be about 6 British Pounds. A whole tea service usually costs at least 30 pounds in most places. The waitress, Martinou, delivered me excellent service. I only wanted one scone but she gave me 4, plus the clotted cream and jam and a little cake. I was literally treated like a queen there. She boxed up the remaining scones and threw in some extra tea bags to take home. She gave a coupon to come back, but unfortunately it was my last day in London. I would love to go there again. read more

Amba Hotel Charing Cross - Tea and scones - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

We stayed 4 days, great location, 15-20 minutes walking distance to London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Parliament. We saved money on taxis and enjoyed the walk through the city. Less then a mile from Covent Gardens. We ate breakfast every morning at their restaurant. Good food and service. The hotel staff was great and helped us find our way around the city. We are very happy we stayed at Amba, we will stay there again. read more

Amba Hotel Charing Cross - Croissant, bacon, mushrooms, beans, and eggs. - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

From the minute we entered, we were greeted. We came back from dinner, we were greeted again, those who recognized us: "Welcome back!" For breakfast, once we were given our table, our host explained to us everything! I can't even remember, when our hosts from other hotels did that to us. Other times, we have to find our way around the buffet tables, or where to find the plates, fruits, etc. Not here! It was 1st class service all the way! They were prompt. They were attentive. They were helpful. They were cordial. The foods were very good, lots of variety. It was the center of it all, in London. There were lots of activities outside the hotel, you could hear music playing from performers from 8:00am, until 10:00pm. Lots of complimentary in our room: Drinks, snacks, tea, cocoa, cookies, chips. Negatives: 1. Which is absolutely not their fault: In front of the hotel, polluted, dirty, litters everywhere, sidewalks were stained, people just don't clean up after themselves! 2. Can't open the three windows for some fresh air! Bathroom window frosted, OK since the sunrise makes the room too hot, but would be nice to have some fresh air! 3. Water for tea or hot cocoa, a bit TOO hot, not for children. Yes, I added more milk! Warning: There were rowdy people in the area, from 3:00am, noisy, screaming, having a dandy good time, possibly homeless people or college kids from the concert? If they're homeless people, I feel sorry for the hotels/businesses in the area, for we have a few of those in our own neighborhood, and I know how difficult it is to try to get them go elsewhere! read more

This review is just for the Afternoon Tea at The Terrace. It's conveniently located near the Tube, and the common areas of the hotel itself were beautiful. The restaurant was fancy but not overly posh, and we felt comfortable in our jeans. There is a lovely view out the balcony windows. Service was stellar! Our waitress was so very sweet, and we were offered extras of everything. But we were so full by the end that we didn't even finish our desserts, and she boxed them up for us. We had a Groupon, but even without the Groupon I think the price was very reasonable. Everything we ate was delicious!!! Sandwiches and scones were flavorful and not dry. We couldn't have been happier, and we will definitely return for afternoon tea again! read more

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4.5 stars (rounded up) Exhausted from my flight and without any sleep for the past 24hrs it was a blessing that our first hotel stop was Amba Hotel at Charing Cross. The staff was incredible. Mirna signed us in and helped us get settled. As Mr. H and I checked in, and mentioned that we flew out on my birthday and couldn't wait to venture the city, Mirna so thoughtfully gave us recommendations within the vicinity. When we asked about a food recommendation in our desired cuisine, she promptly suggested one of her favorites. Since it was my birthday, they made sure I felt extra special and that I did! We received a complementary upgrade to an Executive King room. Bathrobes and slippers were also offered. Inclusive to the room was access to the Executive Lounge that included breakfast and snacks and aperitif. Although we did not take full advantage of the breakfast we was able to try the early evening snacks. As we headed to the elevator we were greeted by a beautiful grand staircase, gracing the center of the hotel which grants access to each floor. As we exited the ample size elevator and enter our well appointed room, I surrendered for happiness and plopped onto bed for a three hour nap excursion. We ended up staying at three different hotels during our visit and this place was our favorite for its location and staff. Being centrally located near so many top attractions, you could not hope for a better place to stay. During our checkout, we were informed that another surprise had been on its way during our stay but our "Do Not Disturb" indicator denied access for the wonderful card, sweets and sparkling wine to enter. We thanked the staff with a smile as we exited. The thoughtfulness was genuinely accepted. Only wished that I could save/see the birthday note. Thank you, Mirna and team Amba Charing Cross. It was such a pleasure meeting you all and staying at your hotel. Until next time! What you need to know: -- At Charing Cross station -- Complimentary mini bar with snacks and beverages provided in-room, daily -- Facing Trafalgar Square/National Gallery /Embankment -- A few minutes walk from Chinatown and SoHo -- Modern bathroom fixtures -- Complimentary Wifi -- Thin walls and you can hear feet pitter patter in the mornings -- Executive lounge is cozy and small -- Located next to a convenience store -- Steps away from Paul Patisserie and Cafe. It's my favorite place to pick up a croissant or tart. read more

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After an exhausting 18 hour travel time from California with a two hour traffic from Heathrow to the hotel, we were welcomed by Maaike and the warm reception team at the Amba Hotel (Charing Cross). They quickly offered us fresh orange juice upon our arrival, which was refreshing after a long trip, and processed our check-in quickly. Maaike gave us a room that was very quiet even though the hotel sat above the Charing Cross tube station. Amba Hotel is centrally located with a minute walk to Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Theatre District and Piccadilly Circus, perfect for newbies visiting London. Let's be frank, London traffic is bloody hell! Traveling around London in a car or bus is a nightmare. I think molasses flows faster than London traffic. Amba Hotel is within the hustle and bustle of London where you can pretty much travel anywhere on foot or by tube. The mini-bars are also stocked with water and goodies, compliments of the hotel. I always look forward to these snacks and drinks after coming back from a long day of travels. The British breakfast buffet in the morning was convenient with a wide selection of cold and hot traditional British breakfast items. They also have Marmite spreads with freshly toasted bread made on the spot. Yum. Towards the end of our trip, we came back to our room to find a gift of bubbly champagne and chocolates from Maaike and the Amba Hotel team. My fiance and I were so touched by their thoughtfulness. Thank you, Amba Hotel, for making my first trip to Europe so memorable! read more

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I cannot say enough good things about this hotel! Upon arrival, I was offered champagne/sparkling water just at check in. The wonderful woman checking me in saw I was exhausted and assisted me with my two very large bags. The room was phenomenal, I'm used to tiny rooms when staying in London city, so I braced myself for the worst. I couldn't believe my eyes - both the room and the bathroom are LARGE! Enough room to be comfortable and spread out. Usb outlets and regular outlets next to the bed!! Something that is refreshing to see when coming from the US. The food was wonderful, and all the staff we encounter were extremely friendly. I haven't even mentioned the location! Right in between two tube stations, making it easy to get virtually anywhere. Definitely recommend staying here!! I can't wait to come back read more

Amba Hotel Charing Cross - View from our room - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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Amazing hotel in the center of London. Nice concept to have a full breakfast and mini bar service included in your room rate. Front desk staff is very friendly. Ask for an extra bottle of water on your way up to your room for the night, they are happy to comply. Room is spacious and comfortable. Shower is a bit tight. My lone issue, and it is a big one, is that our travel company booked rooms for three of us on business, and the rates were considerably different. More than double! Not happy about expensing (and explaining that). Didn't get any change to it when it was raised. read more

Room is a little small but the bathroom is a good size. It is in a perfect location near trafalgar square. Easy access to anywhere in london. The bar is cool upstairs too. Just a very unique hotel where you do not feel like you are in a big chain hotel and not necessarily a boutique either. The staff was friendly and courteous as well. Price was also on point. I would come back. read more

I stayed at the Amba Hotel during a work trip. It was my first trip to London. The location, in Charing Cross and right next to the Charing Cross tube station is wonderful for sightseeing. The staff was professional and polite. The hotel reception desk staff went out of their way to assist me during my stay. The room was nice sized compared to other London hotel rooms (my coworkers stayed at the Citidines and my room was larger). I loved having a Nespresso machine in my room. I paid the upgrade for the Executive room with executive lounge access. I found the lounge a bit disappointing. The room is set up more like a USA standard hotel buffet restaurant than your normal executive lounge. The chairs and tables weren't terribly comfortable and there were staff full time to provide you with coffee, drinks, and clean up after guests are through. I actually preferred the espresso from my Nespresso maker in my room to what the lounge served up despite their having a professional barista machine. I had breakfast in the lounge but while there was plenty of food it was mediocre at best. The croissants were not freshly baked and were soggy. The eggs were a bit undercooked. The lounge staff while polite and professional were not friendly and made me feel as though my presence was a trial. The hotel is very clean. I was in the Buckingham wing and for the most part my room was quiet but I don't think many people were staying on my floor. The executive room comes with free snacks and beverages from your minibar, which include wine, beer, water, tea and soda. What I really hated about the Amba was the design of the bathroom. This room was clearly designed by someone who doesn't put on makeup or style their hair. Most men wouldn't notice anything but ladies this is not a woman friendly style hotel. The room has very little lighting. The best lighting is in the bathroom but there is only one electrical outlet and it is for low wattage appliances like electric razors ONLY. The hotel provided a hair dryer in the desk drawer of the bedroom. There are plenty of plugs including one 120v here and a USB charging port. There is not, however a mirror here! There were two full length mirrors. On is on a wall closest to the bed but the electrical outlet is too low to be of use without an extension cord and again the lighting is bloody awful here. The other full length mirror is in the back of the hotel room door...don't ask me why, but no electrical outlet here! The mirrors in the bathroom, there were two, were in recessed alcoves, one above the toilet and the other above the sink. Each is recessed about ten to twelve inches making it impossible to get close to see well enough for putting on your makeup precisely. The view from my room was nothing special. The bed which was supposed to be really good was okay but nothing special. I thought the Sheraton in Brussels had a far superior bed. Bottom line, it's a pretty decent hotel, but made more for people who don't really care what they look like or have a simple toilette. I'd recommend not paying for the executive lounge access, it's not really worth it, and there are plenty of affordable places you can breakfast or grab a snack at nearby. read more

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I stayed at this hotel for a week just after Amba had taken it over. (Used to be called just the Hotel Charing Cross). This is a beautiful modern, sleek and renovated historic hotel next to Charing Cross Train Station (no, you can't hear the trains at all inside the hotel). I stayed in the main part of the hotel on the 6th floor overlooking the Thames. Here's my mostly ups and a few minor nits: - Location: 5 stars! Across from Tafalagar square, very close walking distance to the Theatre District, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and all sorts of other tourist attractions. Also close to the tube station and ferry. - Room and amenities: 4-5 stars. Well appointed room, with free, easy-to-use wi-fi that worked with my VPN connection, great shower with a large rainfall shower head, fluffy oversized bath towels, robes and slippers, comfy bed, free use of an in-room ipad you can take out with you walking to help you find your way,flat screen TV with lots of channel options, safe in the closet and best added feature: Complimentary mini-bar that includes juice, soda, snacks, chocolate and upon arrival a half bottle of wine. - Service/Hospitality:4-5 - Friendly welcoming and helpful. I also held a business meeting while here in one of the second floor rooms, and was equally impressed by the helpfulness of the staff and facilities. Had room service a couple of times - fast and good. Try the pan fried sea bass! It is one of the best I've tasted. - Facilities: I never made it down to the Gym - so no rating there, but saw a bunch of folks going to use it. Made it to the bar several times, swanky, quiet and lovely - pretty empty most weekday evenings. The barstaff know how to make a cocktail (expect pricey hotel bar cocktail prices), good place to talk business. Also, plenty of other nice, common lounging areas to meet up with folks. Here are my minor nits (and I do mean very minor): Don't know what the replenishment plan for the mini-bar is, I was there 8 days, only drank the water, diet coke and a bag of crisps and a chocolate bar - but it seemed those were only replenished once while I was there. Also, they may have been breaking in a new key system. Several times after I went out I came back to find my key didn't work. But, again the staff was always very helpful about it. BOTTOM LINE: I don't know how this hotel was before it became AMBA - but it is excellent now. Hope they can keep it up - as I intend to make it my regular spot for trips to London. read more

Great modern hotel in a busy area of London. We stayed here for 4 nights and really enjoyed. The breakfast was good and the front desk staff was very helpful. They even have a US socket for charging in the room. If you don't mind a touristy busy area of London then it's in a good location. read more

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They got it! For real... I travel a lot for work, have seen my fair share of hotels, ranging from very high end to business and I was impressed by Amba. The very polite and extremely helpful staff to begin with, be it at reception desk, concierge, restaurant and... well, any member of staff you might come across in the corridors... I stayed in a deluxe room, very nicely arranged, on the 6th floor with an incredible view of the river and the skyline. Extremely convenient location if you plan to visit London. But the hit comes from the amenities: mounting USB sockets everywhere (bye bye power adapters), complimentary I-pad (for the length of your stay!), Nespresso machine and free (soft) drinks. The cherry on top is for the girls: EVENTUALLY someone understood that if you prevent guests from blow-drying their hair in the bathroom, there must be an acceptable distance between the mirror and the socket... Not only do you have a real hair-dryer, you can plug it right under the mirror! No gymnastics required to end up with a semi successful blow dry... I am very curious to see where they expand... read more

Excellent location and gorgeous setting interior :) courteous staff and very professional and accommodating.

This was an excellent hotel for my final night's stay in London. The staff and the service were exceptional. They were kind, treated guest with respect, and they went above & beyond to ensure you had a great experience and stay. Upon arrival, my wife and I were offered complimentary wine and water. The wine was a white sparkling wine that was fantastic! Our room was the standard double room, and it was clean, pretty, and updated. All of the furniture looked like it was well-kept and the quality of linens and fabrics were higher grade. The bathroom had a beautiful shower with an over-the-head shower and the towels were extremely large and soft. Even though we had just a standard room, all of the drinks and refreshments in the mini fridge were complimentary and included in our stay at no additional charge. The decor and charm of the hotel are also outstanding!! They have a beautiful staircase that leads all the way up to the 5th floor. The hallways are also very clean and the walls are lined with classy artwork. All in all, we loved our stay in this hotel and would recommend it to anyone considering a visit to London! read more

Went for afternoon tea at the Amba. This was another voucher deal so we paid half the regular price and weren't expecting this to be as good as some of our more recent teas. We've definitely discovered during our adventures that in most cases you actually do get what you pay for. In this case, we got much, much more. We were seated in the front section of The Terrace restaurant. With its full length windows (you can see them in the top picture, it had a magnificent view out over The Strand) the area was light and bright which made it all the more welcoming. I was absolutely delighted with the adorable crockery that adorned the tables and while each set matched itself they were all different. A lurid blue cocktail was served to us in a champagne glass and while I'm not certain what was in it, I can confirm that it was delicious and light. The waitress then took our tea orders and asked if there were any dietary requirements to which Jen advised that she did not eat pork and the woman immediately suggested that she choose one of the other savouries to have two of. Sadly when the tea arrived they seemed to have forgotten this request but the fact that they asked and were so flexible impressed me greatly. The usual three tiers of goodies starting with savouries on the bottom (egg, ham, cheese and pickle finger sandwiches along with smoked salmon on buns), teeny tiny sultana (yuck) scones and some delicious sweet treats arrived and we couldn't wait to get stuck in! The cakes, of course, all had an Alice in Wonderland theme - to go with the Drink Me cocktail there was an Eat Me cake which was an airy sponge covered in a layer of fondant a bit like a french fancy but without the cream. It was sweet but not overly so, although I didn't think the chocolate icing writing quite went with the rest. One of the queens jam tarts of course which were indeed fit for a queen with the perfect ratio of pastry to jam. And a chocolate cookie sandwich shaped like the Mad Hatter's hat. This was my least favourite of them all because it was quite heavy but probably also because we were quite full by this point. The ambiance at the Amba was lovely, there were several birthdays taking place while we were there and staff provided a surprise cake with candle, round of Happy Birthday and big cheesy grins. They really seemed as though they wanted to ensure that everyone had an exceptional time which let's face it afternoon tea always should be. read more

This hotel is amazing. The staff greets you like a king. They are genuinely wonderful. The room perfect and the location ideal. HIGHLY recommended. read more

This review is for the afternoon tea only. It was very nice and super cute. I did not like how close all the tables were as well as how warm it was when the pit you so close to the window. The sandwiches were okay but the scones were definitely my favorite! This was my first scone and I wanted more! I put a little butter and some jelly. Absolutely delicious!! read more

If I could give the Amba hotel a higher score, I would! From the moment you step into the hotel you are greeted with the best customer service you will ever encounter. Robin checked us in and was very kind and knowledgable. If you need anything during your stay, the workers are always willing to help; umbrella, iPad (one in every room), water, pop, directions, etc. Our room was super clean, quiet and comfortable. The wifi is very fast and there is a good selection of cable channels. We had lounge access and really enjoyed the selection of drinks and snacks and breakfast offered. The hotel location cannot be beat. read more

So I didn't actually go to this Amba hotel, I went to the one near Marble Arch but can't find that on Yelp! Great afternoon tea here Took my mum for a treat and we both loved it. They do great sandwiches which they changed to vegetarian for me. The scones were tasty and still warm! For once I also loved all the cakes. Service great although slightly slow. Would recommend it. We got a 2 for 1 offer on prosecco afternoon tea which made it that bit more special read more

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The Amba Hotel is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in. It has a great location, a very friendly staff, beautiful rooms, and an amazing breakfast. :) London was the last stop on our European vacation, and while London wasn't quite as cool as I thought it would be this hotel was great. I have nothing bad to say! I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend you stay here as well. read more

I must admit... I thought that being immersed in the hustle and bustle of Westminster would be daunting and hectic. It couldn't have been more relaxing. The hotel is wonderfully old and charming, but updated with all conveniences. Your outside one minute then inside quiet, grand and charming. The English breakfast is something our family looks forward to. The staff even gave us extra umbrellas to use when it got rainy. The hotel has been there forever and we can see why! read more

I came to The Terrace restaurant in the Amba hotel just for afternoon tea, and it was far more than I expected. The tea room itself is lovely, with beautiful high windows and an airy atmosphere, and easily charming service sets. The hosts/severs are friendly and helpful - after letting them know we would be requesting a vegetarian tea, they thought to double check whether seafood would be okay. The tea, sandwiches, scones, and treats were all delicious (seriously, how do people leave their plates and chat for hours?), but the real charm of the service was when we were brought complimentary drinks (again, after checking that we wouldn't be drinking alcohol, they created a beautiful crushed raspberry and lemonade drink) and sandwiches. A lot of small thoughtful gestures that truly went a long way. We chatted with the hostess for a bit afterward and found her very friendly and engaging. All around, a lovely experience and I'm looking forward to returning. read more

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We stayed in this hotel for a week during Christmas holiday last year. The service of this hotel was great, and the staffs were incredible. The room is very large and comfortable, however, there were always some dusts on the desk and tv console. It looked like the room service never clean up the room throughtly. The mini-bars were stocked with baverages and snacks, and they were compliments of the hotel. read more

Terrible customer service. Was given the runaround several times after a devastating family emergency and would not speak to us regarding our booking. Will not be staying here in the future. read more

Would stay here again and again! Perfect location.. Rooms were perfectly appointed. Great complimentary breakfast and the staff was fantastic! Love London and all here made our trip that much better and I am very picky!! read more

I travel a lot and this might be the best hotel I've stayed in. Our room was extremely quiet in a noisy city. Hard to find that. The front desk was incredible and handled everything from "where can I find Jane Eyre stamps" to "who serves Yorkshire pudding" (yes we ate that). Add in the guest only lounge, free snacks and beer in the mini fridge and at least two people greeting us every time we came in..... Simply The best! read more

Highly recommend - especially for corporate events. The staff is amazing. Very helpful and accommodating at all times, and just generally nice. Space is also great as is location. read more

I travel a lot and this hotel may simply be the best I've ever stayed. The rooms were quiet in a noisy town. It may have been the first time my room was too quiet; which was a welcomed change from most places. The front desk was outstanding. We gave them a number of challenges from where to get Jane Eyre stamps to where to get Yorkshire pudding. They had an answer for everything. Every time we walked in the door there were at least 2 people that greeted us. Private lounge for the guests and free in room treats and beer top it off. These guys were the best! read more

We stayed 4 days in October, 2017: great location, wonderful hotel amenities, very professional and caring staff, beautiful hotel. Very quiet inside amid the hustle and bustle outside. It doesn't get better than this! read more

Best customer service at any hotel I have ever stayed at. Filipe and Laura at the front desk were extremely courteous, thoughtful and efficient. The accommodations are well situated in London and there is easy access to the tube, buses, or sights within walking distance. The room was comfortable and quiet making for a lovely experience in London. read more

Loved this great executive room for four nights and the perfect location. We like to travel and we really appreciate an attentive staff and little extras. Heated towel racks in the bathrooms, great breakfast, and a complimentary mini bar, nespresso machine, tea, biscuits, and lounge. The hotel also had mince pies and hot mulled wine every night in the lobby for the holidays, complimentary for guests. Laura checking us in was extremely kind, Clive helped us confirm reservations, and Duane was exceptional. I would stay here again. My only suggestion would be to install bureaus in the rooms under the tv. Walking distance to Covent Gardens, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, West End and of course, 100 feet from Charing Cross Station basically on Trafalgar Square. Highly recommended. read more

A wonderful hotel that felt like a home away from home. We enjoyed the warm reception, comfortable room, in-room coffee/tea service (espresso!) and iPad for the duration of our stay. The bed was very comfortable. The room was quiet and was SO DARK! It made our transition from Pacific Coast time to London time much easier. Johny welcomed us in the dining room with excellent service and personal, warm attention for both lunch and breakfast. He was so caring and provided us with everything we needed. The location of the hotel is absolutely fabulous. So central! Having a tube station just below the hotel was very convenient. The hotel, itself, is very nice! Elegant and well taken care of. The concierge was very helpful, as was all the staff. We will definitely return. This will be the only hotel we will stay at in London. read more

Super wonderful staff and very accommodating loved them and my stay so much here would recommend to anyone coming to stay in London in the center of everything ! read more

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Amba is central to this busy city with the sights at your fingertips! The room service is above par, and the concierge was accommodating. Special shout-out to Dwayne who helped me out when I was sick overseas (no bueno!) and to Vinnie, a real natural with people. They could use a hotel guest shop and a travel center but other than that, the hotel is exceptional. I'm a lawyer who travels abroad every few years and I would recommend this hotel! We also had our own service bar which was complimentary and a room with a view :). read more