This place absolutely stinks of corporate fatcats. It seems to be aimed solely at business workers, hence the reason it's so stark and "modern" and not very welcome feeling, just "sleek" as it were. The reception staff were also hilarious stereotypes, and all very unfriendly. They seem to forget they're the first contact of a hotel visit, and not in fact working in a fashion house or art gallery or some high end shop.
The particular man we had was a hilarious gay stereotype. Never smiled once despite smiles to him, jokes, comments etc. Wearing half an inch thick orange face paint... sorry... fake tan... to the degree that you could see the texture within it! Guyliner too! He wasn't friendly, nor welcoming, and made a special emphasis of "breakfast is NOT included" with the stay we were having, which was fine really, but funny how he said it! He did say we were welcome to purchase breakfast in the restaurant between 7am and 10am.
I asked how much breakfast was. He said it was £11 for continental, and £16 for Full English! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! People pay that?! I could walk 3 minutes from the hotel door and go to about 5 different cafes where I could get a fully cooked breakfast with multiple helpings for about 4 quid. Honestly, who pays 16 quid for breakfast aside corporate types who have no idea how much things genuinely cost?
This is on top of the rate we were paying of £99 per night... with no breakfast! lol. The second hilarious part? The rooms didn't have any tea or coffee making facilities either for that price! Why? Honestly, although the room was well appointed and had a VERY comfortable bed, if I'd gone to a B&B in Blackpool and spent £50 per night, and didn't get breakfast or a tea/coffee tray in the room, I'd feel quite hard done by, so the idea of a high end hotel doing this just makes me laugh in a bitter and cynical way... which I imagine to sound French for some reason, not sure why, "aw-he-haw-he-haw!"
But yes, the room was well appointed and comfortable with a very comfy bed. The bathroom was bright, roomy, and well appointed too.
The rooms have floor length windows which might be nice if our room wasn't facing a big blue bulkhead meaning the room was dark without much of a view. It was also on a level with the gravel-coated roof, meaning it felt like a door leading out onto some kind of patio, and like anyone could come in. The windows had both thick curtains and net/lace curtains too, so you could have it however you like. It also had an openable window (with a restriction of how far you can open it obviously), but the room had a very effective in-room air conditioning which you could control yourself with 5 types of warmth/coolness, and fan speed.
The most interesting point was that the rooms do not have televisions, but instead have an iMac computer which you can use as a TV and radio, complete with remote control, but you can also sit in front of it and use the supplied keyboard and mouse to use it as a computer, with full access to the internet, which was a very pleasant aspect!
Another simple thing but a nice idea is a chain on the door instead of just a lock. Adds an extra feeling of safety, and stops any hotel workers, maids etc, just barging in.
So generally, the rooms are nice but could do with a few more home comforts, especially given the price of the rooms, breakfast, restaurant, bar, cafe etc... it's all a bit pricy. Personally I'd say if you want to stay here, you'd be better off eating and drinking in the many better value places within 5 minutes walk, from Subway to Starbucks to Sainsbury's and Greggs! That, and the staff need to work on their customer service skills... it's not all about professionalism but sometimes about cordiality and friendliness too! It's all good and well for Doubletree to give guests a "free warm cookie" (chocolate and hazelnut) upon checkin, but it's a hollow gesture if it feels a requirement rather than a friendly gesture.
I wouldn't stay here if it was my own money. read more