Nov/080
UK Hotel Wrapup
Courtney and I put a good amount of effort into researching hotels for our recent trip to the UK, so I wanted to share the places we found and what we thought of them. We did our research online using tripadvisor and straight up googling. With tripadvisor, we went by the rule that too many glowing reviews probably meant they were stuffing the ballot box, so we looked for hotels with mixed, but mostly positive reviews. Here’s where we ended up:
The Sumner Hotel (London, England) - A nice, quiet hotel that’s outside the main tourist areas (which I liked). It blends right into the block; so much that I didn’t even know it was the hotel when we first arrived. It’s very quiet inside (except for the creaky floors) with a B&B type feel in the common areas. The decor is contemporary but conservative; no glitz like you see in many boutique hotels. It’s about 5 minutes from the Marble Arch tube station, and we were able to easily get wherever we needed from there. We really liked this hotel and would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind being off the beaten path.
Tigerlily (Edinburgh, Scotland) - This hotel was rated in the top 65 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and it definitely deserves it… it’s really, really cool. When first shown our room it kind of knocked my socks off – wide open with high ceilings, high windows and a very contemporary style. I had the same feeling when we came back later that night to find the whole room illuminated by red lights! Appreciation of quality and attention to detail were evident throughout the hotel – from the decor, to the service, to the food (breakfast was sooo good). Although it’s pricey, I feel like it’s a good value for what you receive. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys boutique hotels.
The Kingsmills Hotel (Inverness, Scotland) -This hotel was a Marriott at some point, and that’s just what it feels like – a Marriott from the mid 90s that hasn’t been updated and is starting to show its age. The staff wasn’t overly friendly (and apparently not satisfied with their jobs according to what we overheard in the bar), the decor was slightly dated, and the food was mediocre. The room was clean, but not “squeaky” clean. The hotel is certainly acceptable as a place to spend the night, but I feel it’s overpriced for what you receive. If we went back to Inverness I would look into one of the many B&Bs or guest houses instead.
The Royal Horseguards (London, England) - This place brought the awesome back. It’s a grand old hotel right on the River Thames. It has a conservative but modern decor and the rooms have recently been updated with all the modern amenities (room key enabled power, TV in the shower, towel warmers, electronic do not disturb, etc.). The staff was friendly and very helpful throughout our short stay. The place is pretty classy (I felt slightly uncomfortable walking through the lobby in jeans while everyone else was in tuxedos), so I don’t know if I would want to stay for an extended vacation, but it’s great for a short stay or if you’re traveling on business (or if you are classy).
That’s it! We had a great time and are looking forward to our next journey across the pond.