Wow. This was, without question, the most luxurious hotel we stayed in out of a total of nine in two weeks. Not without some faults, but very impressive indeed and certainly worth a visit if you want to treat yourself.
The location is perhaps slightly out of the city centre, but perfect for the financial district and conference centre, as well as next to a metro station, which was very convenient. The parking is very expensive (albeit normal for city centres) but if you don’t have much luggage and are prepared to walk a short distance, there is cheaper parking in the area.
We were warmly welcomed and the enormous, very tastefully decorated reception made us feel somewhat under-dressed. It’s very spacious and provided access to the restaurant and bar, both of which looked smart and sophisticated. Small details like a table of different vases filled with apples in the day and changed to candles in the evening, make you feel that a real sense of attention to detail is exists and pride is taken in keeping the place presentable at all times.
One of the best features about this place – for a tourist at least – is that they stress that gratuities are included in the costs and tips are not expected. Furthermore, staff echo this time and again, demonstrating that they have been very well trained. We have no objection to tipping in the slightest but will always feel at odds with the fact that it is virtually mandatory everywhere in the USA. In the UK, we tip to say give thanks for hard work, a good job or exceeding expectation but Stateside, it basically means that no service ever costs what you are charged and you have the anxiety of working out what is and isn’t appropriate, fearing rebuke by staff if you don’t get it right. To have this nuisance taken away was really lovely and something the hotel deserve commending for!
Moving on, we were not offered assistance with luggage and instead made our own way to the room, on the twelfth floor. We had booked one with a view over the harbour and if it’s not something you’re used to, it was quite fantastic, especially at night.
The room was beautifully decorated and very clean. We had a fridge, couch, TV, the usual things and unlike ever before, our own PC! Don’t get too exited – a wonderful thought but internet access is an additional price and was the slowest we’ve experienced since dial-up connections. I’m prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it may have been temporary but simply could not have managed had I been a business customer. I'm sure we saw mentioned somewhere that the whole media system was due an upgrade shortly.
The bed was very comfortable and I can honestly say I’ve never come across a ‘pillow library’ before but I suppose it’s nice touch if your fussy where you place your head. Breakfast in the morning was the best of nine hotels during our stay – a wide selection for the continental breakfast, excellent buffet – fresh and hot and delicious! Staff were polite and friendly and service was swift. We didn’t try dinner (but presume it would also be good). We did, however, try cocktails and a dessert in the bar – a lovely venue in itself and both drinks and food were very enjoyable.
While there, we did have some clothes laundered, as they reeked of smoke following a trip to the excellent Plimouth Plantation. Although not all that expensive, they definitely came back slightly smaller which was a disappointment. However, when addressed at reception, we were not charged for the service and given the parking for free which is, to our mind, more than adequate compensation.
In conclusion, we were very impressed with this hotel and would certainly stay there again. There are some minor flaws to remedy but they are certainly getting nearly spot on. It is certainly somewhere to stay if you want to splash out on something a bit nicer than your average hotel and was much appreciated on our road trip! Unfortunately, we didn’t visit the spa and health facilities so are unable to comment on these but like the restaurant, have faith that they would not disappoint.
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