Intercontinental Westminster Hotel Review
Book the Intercontinental Westminster Hotel here.
This article is part of my trip report 'Westward bound'. The trip report index will appear below once all posts have been published.
I spent a night this week in the Intercontinental Westminster hotel in the city of Westminster in London.
The hotel just completed a recent US$250m renovation.
I came in around 9PM and found the hotel pretty deserted after much playing with the 'Circle Line'. Now check-in was efficient and quick and I was offered to be escorted to my room.
The room was on the small side but beautifully appointed and brand new. The bathroom reminded me of the Intercontinental Boston. The room itself looked fantastic and the TV integrated into the side wall looked very futuristic.
All in all a very good first impression. However it should not last.
After a while I realized how cold the room was and turned the AC to 32 degrees Celsius. Nothing much happened - no hot air appeared. I played with the controls with no luck.
I also tried to get the USB/ Audio cable for connecting my iPhone to the rooms entertainment system to work. No luck either although I'm rather sure I followed the instructions well.
I called the front desk and requested engineering and they ended up sending the bell desk attendant after 30 minutes (and I was hungry to go out for dinner). He had even less clue than I did of the systems and could offer no help.
He eventually offered to switch rooms - I agreed. After I received the new room keys it looked very much like the same temperature but the hotel also placed a big portable heater which really started to heat up the room. Apparently the heating system just does not work with the freezing temperatures London still has.
I really enjoyed the bed and comforters - Intercontinental in Europe offers hands down the most comfortable bedding in my opinion.
However my morning shower was a bit weird as the shower door would only open with sheer force. It felt a bit like lifting weights plus a huge amount of water spilled out even with the door closed. In a just built/ renovated hotel this could be better.
The next morning I went down for breakfast and was surprised to not see a breakfast buffet. My rate did include breakfast and I was offered to select one breakfast item from the menu. The waffles were good though nothing earth shattering. With coffee and juice the bill would have been $40 - quite pricey should you have to pay for it.
There is also a coffee shop and Pret A Manger just next door.
The hotel really shines in location just opposite Westminster Abbey and the subway right there. The rooms are brand new. I think the staff needs to be more alert and more hands-on about the existing issues of the hotel.
If they fix the shortcomings this could become a truly great alternative for stays in inner London.
The applicable rate was around $400 for my stay date.
Book the Intercontinental Westminster Hotel here.