Review: London Marriott Park Lane

While we didn't get a complimentary bottle of prosecco, our stay at the Park Lane over US thanksgiving weekend was similarly fantastic.
Just a great hotel

How would you compare the Park Lane property to the Marriott County Hall? I'm visiting London soon and have the County Hall booked based on its location on the Thames but your review is making me reconsider.

Property looks awesome. I need to get my SPG/Marriott Gold status back. First year in a long time I haven't been Gold. While I didn't care too much for not having SPG gold, seems like there's more value in Gold status with Marriott.

Had a great stay there last year as a marriott gold! No real upgrade and no bottle sent up.

@Rob: Haven't stayed at the Marriott County Hall and while it looks quite nice, it appears to be aiming for a more modern, trendy W or Andaz kind of vibe, and it also appears to be a rather large property in terms of number of rooms. I'd say the Park Lane would be much smaller and more intimate and I imagine you're unlikely to get the same level of service or luxury at the County Hall, but that's just based on my gleaning information from TripAdvisor.

Stayed here in Dec and it will be my go to in London. Had previously stayed at Marriott Grovesnor Square nearby which is also 45,000 points. But no comparison to Park Lane. You must not have checked out the health club with the gorgeous pool! My room was not ready for early morning check in so I was able to use health club (with lockers) to freshen up and change before checking my luggage and going out.

Are you sure the greeting/prosecco wasn't a "family" gesture? It does happen, lol.

Nick, you mentioned in your previous review that you spent some time up in Scotland. Are you going to review that trip as well? I'm planning a road trip of Scotland for me and my wife early next year. Thanks.

@Charles: I wish I had more time there! I was only there for two nights for a wedding, and not in an especially scenic or touristic part of the country. I want to return, very badly, and visit Edinburgh the the Highlands and I will make sure to do a trip report!

Glad to hear it was such a great stay!! I typically stay down the street at Grosvenor House, but I'll try this one out! The personalized service is fantastic!

Great review.

Yawn, don't mean to be annoying but the Marble Arch tube station building is from the 1930s according to Wikipedia.

@David: The Marble Arch tube station building is on the other side of Oxford Street. There's merely a staircase sidewalk entrance to the station adjacent to the hotel. But I applaud your self-awareness at least!

Hi Nick.... great review as always, thanks for sharing. Only request would be to include images and/or thoughts on hotel fitness center.

Even if it is not something you use yourself, I'm sure I'm not the only reader who at least considers gym amenities when browsing hotel options!

Cheers!

@Rob - My family and I stayed at the Marriott County Hall over New Years Eve this past year. The rooms were on the small side and the service was sort of absent, but the Thames river views are quite spectacular if you get a view room. The hotel felt huge, with many rooms, so if that isn't your style, I wouldn't go there.

@Nick - There is a Waldorf in London right in Covent Garden and we actually love that hotel. Very elegant, great breakfast and literally steps from Lion King, Mamma Mia etc. So if you are going with family and planning on catching some theater, definitely consider it.

@Rob (Different from Other Rob): Thanks for the comment on both the Marriott County Hall and the Waldorf Hilton. But just to clarify, the Waldorf Hilton is actually not a Waldorf-Astoria -- it's a mainline Hilton (the hotel has been known as the Waldorf Hotel since the turn of last century).

@Nick: About the tube station. Am I misunderstanding something? The station building across the street and the staircase near the hotel are from the 1930s not the nineteenth century as mentioned in the review. It's not a big deal.

@David: Oh, I see what you mean. Let me clarify by a re-edit. I meant to say the Marble Arch tube station is right by the hotel, which itself is a 19th century building (meaning the hotel). Not my best grammatical effort there!

I stayed at the Park Lane Marriott two weeks ago, and I agree with the assessment. You did not mention the wonderful large, heated swimming pool and steam room on the basement level.

Richard also check me in, he was a superb desk agent. I was staying with a friend and we needed twin beds - so I knew my upgrade options would be limited. Most suites only have king beds. But nevertheless I got a room with a nice view of the park. Double windows so no street noise at all. Next time I will get a king and likely get a suite as a Platinum.

The lounge is great as well with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch (tea) has sandwiches and scones.

I was able to check in at 9:30am and got late check out of 4pm as a Platinum MR. The staff is wonderful and very professional. Only negative I could find is that all the lighting in the hallways make the hallways a little warm.

Then we moved down to the JW Marriott Grosvenor. A much larger property - nice lobby and very nice concierge lounge, but old rooms, old hallways, etc - basically a tired property from a room perspective. The staff, while very nice and did there jobs, just were not as professional as the staff at the Park Lane.

I have stayed at the Grosvenor Square many times and it is nice with a nice lounge and the rooms are nice as well. But the Grosvenor Square is more like a regular Marriott - standard staff - small lobby, etc.

Park Lane with the Pool is the best.

My preference is to take the Heathrow Express and then take the #36 Bus to Marble Arch. About a 1/2 hour total. The #36 bus departs from Stop H on Praed St - just a half block to the left as you exit Paddington. Then it stops right by the entrance to Park Lane Marriott on Park Lane. The hotel entrance is on the side street - the old Park Lane Entrance is closed.

With an Oyster card you can take the buses down Oxford St to Soho and Convent Garden. There is a max. of 6.60 GPB per day - so ride as much as you want. Bus is 1.50, tube is 2.20 or 2.40 depending on time. I suggest ordering the Visitor Oyster Card on line and have mailed to your USA address. You can only have it delivered to outside the UK.

You did not mention the recommended bars? Based on life style you had many options. One even across Oxford St from the hotel.

@Nick - Cool info, I never knew that about the Waldorf in London. Thanks for the background. Kinda like how the Ritz in London isn't a Ritz Carlton I suppose.

Stayed recently. Wish Richard had been our check in agent. Sadly we were not upgraded per our Gold status expectations. Yes lounge is excellent but Full of questionable clientelle: spa ladies in white robes including towel wrapped heads, noisy and pushy folks completely unaware of business etiquette. Our view was over many ventilation shafts but room was comfy. Housekeeping was hit and miss.

This property must have gone through a complete overhaul. I stayed there...maybe 10 years ago.. and I was less than impressed with absolutely everything. I say overhaul, because it used to be lots of dark browns and drab colors in the lobby area and guest rooms. I had an issue with room service and emailed the food + beverage manager (since, at the time, the front desk "couldn't do anything") and I never heard back from them. I carry a grudge for a long time, so I prob won't stay there now, but it's nice to see it seems they've turned a new leaf.

Your review of this property is exactly my experience . The hotel is simply superb and should not be compared with the Churchill as there it is simply no comparison. I have stayed several times in both properties but the Park lane from my experiences is "Worlds" apart.
I would never consider The Churchill again after experiencing the Park lane . I highly recommend The Park Lane over the Churchill not only the fabulous rooms and bathrooms ,but the service ,the lounge ambience and quality offerings but the inherent quality and above all the refinement that purvades throughout . The Hyatt property is many , many, levels lower offering a considerably lesser experience not in the same league.

The County Hall is awesome! It's my favorite Marriott property in the world and I'm P4L...

we stayed at the marriott park lane last month and were so glad we picked it over county hall and grosvenor square. we loved everything about it -- although we weren't upgraded to a suite despite asking about an upgrade and having platinum status(!). wish we had known about the rooftop bar -- it does seem to be very well hidden. service was impeccable, the lounge decor as well as food were lovely ... our new favorite hotel in london for sure.

I had to laugh! One of my pet hotel peeves is NOT having a place to sit OUTSIDE the bathroom to dry my hair and put on makeup. I always assume it must have been a man who designed the room when there is no convenient place. I and many other women I know hate drying our hair in a bathroom made steamy by our shower - or still in use by a partner. My ideal situation is a desk and chair with a convenient outlet - and a mirror on the wall behind. A moveable makeup mirror makes my day - or stay!

Nick-Like you, I'm a Marriott Gold via an outside channel and don't regularly use them. But now that I have Gold status they are by backup option in places to use instead of Hilton where I am a Diamond. As far as the breakfast benefits, I can't seem to get an answer (from Marriott) as far as how they treat a child...whether they are free or a charge and at what age. If a hotel doesn't have a lounge and me and a guest (my spouse) get breakfast in the restaurant, how is my little one treated (age 5-7)? I'll assume entering a lounge is a bit more laxed as far as the headcount is concerned vs. a restaurant. Is it a hotel by hotel policy by country? I just want to know what to expect and what is allowed as a Gold. Thanks for any insights by you or fellow Marriott Golds reading.

Ben
Wow ! you are so Lucky to have a Blog and be treated so properly and so generously!! This Marriott has been refurbished. A year ago when we stayed there, recently having achieved Marriott Lifetime Platinum, we used points as well. However they would not upgrade us. IN fact our room was not ready till 7pm to a room that hinted a vomit smell.
When we complained to management they simply avoided us. There were numerous other Marriott Platinum members as well on Tripadvisor, who also complained of not receiving an upgrade, or treated well being brought round the bush with excuses and the GM dodges it all.

Really we cannot agree with your assessment of this Marriott Park Lane, as you were treated with a privilege most travellers would not receive here.

Hospitality is not about nice furniture it is about being welcoming and hospitable. This Marriott lacked the basic that is expected, they failed miserably and they did indeed receive a firm complaint.

We were there just a week ago and got the exact same treatment. I have exactly the same pictures you have. My only regret is that we there for just one night. This is certainly the nicest hotel room(s) I have had in well over 40 years of travelling. Your review was spot on.

Great review! We had originally planned to stay at this property last month, but changed last minute to the Renaissance St Pancras due to the location (took a train the next morning to Paris). There was nothing particularly grand nor terrible at Renaissance, so we'll certainly check out the Park Lane property next time.

Stayed there with three kids over Christmas holidays a few years back. One of the most memorable family trips ever! It was mostly empty during our stay. That pool was a saviour with most of the city closed down for Christmas holidays. Staff was fabulous and enjoyed the lounge for breakfast, post walking snacks and drinks. I am life time platinum (with a concierge) so I thought they were going over board as well with wine and cheese being brought to the room. thanks for the tip on the outdoor bar and will search for it on the next stay.

Hey Fred, this review was written by Nick, not Ben.

Sorry to hear about your experience, anyways.

@Matthewsf, were you able to find an answer to your question? I am in a same situation with a 7 y/o.

I am not sure what is hotel's child policy? Do I necessarily need to book a suite or can a child share bed in a standard room?

Will appreciate if anyone has an answer.

Thanks
-R