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My review of voco St David’s Cardiff
IHG doesn’t have many (any?) inspirational properties in the UK. I have already visited all the InterContinentals and Kimptons, and the voco hotel in Cardiff is the only five-star hotel left for me to complete the bucket.
It was a Principal hotel that became part of IHG due to an acquisition. Principal hotels have been branded differently since then – except Principal York the name of which is still unchanged, allegedly due to its very slow renovation progress.
voco is a conversion brand relatively new to IHG. It doesn’t have a unique brand standard, so existing hotels can join with minimum refurbishment effort involved. voco’s presence can be seen in a few UK cities now, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Solihull.
I paid only 24,000 points for a Monday night which is a good deal. The hotel’s rate tends to be quite reasonable from what I can see, as they usually charge less than £150 except for Saturday stays.
The voco sits on the Cardiff Bay by the wetlands. It’s location isn’t great for browsing Cardiff, but more like a retreat for a weekend getaway.
The wetlands is ideal for a short stroll. There are a few restaurants, bars and a cinema in the neighbourhood.
The hollow and tall front part of the building, besides the massive window, is a great design.
Upgrade could have been generous. I’m assigned a Deluxe King room but on the third floor only (the hotel has seven floors). I prefer a higher floor so they exchanged it for a (lower-category) Premier room on the sixth floor instead.
Premier room is basically a standard room but with balcony, and Deluxe room has slightly better interior. The hotel is fairly quiet on Monday, but still stingy with the upgrade.
On the flip side, the room is already pretty nice.
The sea view takes away my breath and lights the entire room up, which gives you the best first impression. The interior is simple but refreshing and technical, consistent with the tone set by the view. The television is really small though.
Nothing is better than chilling on the balcony, admiring the summer view when the wind breezed through . There’s more than abundant sunlight – I feel really warm although it’s only like 22 degrees.
I didn’t know hotel rooms with a real sea view do exist in this country!
Hotel guests can use the spa before 11am or after 3pm. The slot between is probably reserved for public paying guests.
As you can tell from the pictures, the facilities are of very high standard and you won’t be disappointed. Given its location though it’s a shame they don’t have an outdoor swimming pool.
A sea-view gym:
Diamond members can opt for the breakfast buffet in the restaurant as a welcome amenity.
The choice and quality are decent. There’s very limited cold spread though, no fruit or yogurt which is bit weird.
In general I am very happy about the stay, and it’s probably my favourite IHG hotel so far in the UK (not counting the Mr & Mrs Smith ones as they are at a different level). If you are looking for a reasonably-priced spa weekend, or a sea-view hotel without going abroad, look no further!
My review of Radisson Blu Cardiff
The voco St David’s hotel in Cardiff has been on my checklist for a while, and I’ve decided to tick the box on this bank holiday. It’s quite far from Cardiff’s centre though, so I was looking for a central hotel to complete my trip.
Saturday night is quite expensive everywhere even when paying points. The Radisson Blu hotel at 30,000 points (or 10,000 Amex points) has turned out to be the best choice. The Park Inn hotel, which is literally one minute away, used to be a better deal at 28,000 points (Radisson Blu was 38,000 points at that time). However they both cost 30,000 points now and it’s a no brainer which one to choose.
Sunday night is cheaper on which I redeemed my Hotels.com free night reward. I’ve made a note for the hotel to link my reservations.
I didn’t realised it’s Pride weekend at Cardiff until I saw all the rainbow flags when getting off the train 🙂 The hotel is only 5 minutes’ walk from Cardiff Central, and from what I can tell is probably one of the tallest building in the city.
The lobby looks fine.
The room on the other hand is, well, very basic…
It feels like all the furniture were from the 1990s and they were never changed. It’s probably one of the saddest room that I’ve every stayed at.
The bathroom floor is very thin for some reason. I’m very careful with my steps 😛
My room on the 10th floor faces a residential block.
This is what you see on the top floor (21st).
At check-in I inquired about the Gold welcome amenity. They couldn’t deliver it on that day so comped my breakfast as an apology. I’m quite happy about the resolution!
Breakfast on the 1st floor is a standard buffet.
The hotel is only 3 minutes from the Ivy, which I recommend if you want to spend the £150 dining credit from the Amex Platinum card.
For this particular occasion, the Radisson Blu was good value for 30,000 points. However it’s not a good property otherwise, and the Hilton wins hands down with its better interior, executive lounge and spa.
My review of Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre
It’s been years since I visited Liverpool, and I reckon it’s about time I come back. I was leaning towards the Doubletree hotel at the beginning, but then it turned out that although the hotel has a great pool and spa, all guests have to pay £25 per person per visit which is too steep.
Therefore I’ve chosen the Crowne Plaza instead, which has a riverbank location, a club lounge and a swimming pool. According to recent reports, Diamond members are being granted club lounge access and free breakfast, which also weighed in my decision process.
The hotel sits on the Princes Dock, which is about 15-20 minutes walk from the Lime Street station. It’s ideal for a stroll by the river, or visit to the museums (for example the Tate).
The lobby features a glass ceiling, which presents it like a greenhouse when it’s sunny.
Check-in is quick. I’m asked to choose a welcome amenity between points, drinks voucher or breakfast. Besides that there’s no greeting, no breakfast hours, no introduction to the hotel facility and no smile. It appears to me that the staff aren’t happy working here and not friendly to the guests.
Contrary to what I read online, although Diamond members can choose breakfast as a welcome amenity, club lounge access is not offered unless you have the annual lounge pass. The manager explains that they were all confused by the new rules at the beginning and offered club lounge access to Diamond members by mistake. Oh well, this is the first time I’m refused lounge access at a Crowne Plaza hotel, so the new IHG policy is not all good.
I’m upgraded to a King Premium Club room with River View, but since I’ve no lounge access the main difference it has over a standard room is just the river view.
The room is okay, just about an average four-star hotel you anticipate in this country.
River Mersey from the window.
Somehow the bathrobe is missing from my room – I thought it’s not provided (which is common in the UK) but then see other guests wear them. After request it’s brought to my room.
The wellness centre is located on the ground floor. I was worried that it may only have a swimming pool, but gladly the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are not missing.
I’m not sure how amazing the Doubletree’s spa is, but I’m quite happy with what I have here already. Like many hotels the pool becomes quite busy in the evening, so it’s best to come here during the day.
There’s a gym with river view on the first floor.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant in the form of a buffet.
The quality is decent. I quite enjoy the salami, hash brown and pork sausage.
Club lounge is right by the lobby. Surprisingly, I’ve gone past it numerous times during my three-night stay, and I’ve never seen a single person in the lounge at any time.
The stay posted as non-qualifying. It’s not the first time it happened to me but previously it was all because I booked a special rate (partner discount or Ambassador BOGOF), whereas this time I booked a normal Advance rate. I only need to submit a claim to get it rectified, but it’s very annoying and I’m not sure if the hotel is trying to save money by not posting the points or what.
I think it’s a solid Crowne Plaza given its location and facilities, but the service still leave much to be desired.
My review of St Ermin’s Hotel, London
I doubt I can make Marriott Titanium this year, but I’m just a couple of nights short of Platinum. Having already stayed at numerous Marriott properties in London I want to add one more to my collection, and St Ermins stands out after I’ve checked some reviews.
The hotel is just one block away from the St James Park tube station, and thus fairly close to the Conrad London hotel. On the one hand it’s a really quiet neighbourhood, on the other hand it’s only a few minutes from the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. I’m visiting Tate Britain in the afternoon, which is also nearby.
The hotel entrance is lightened by a small but beautiful courtyard garden.
The lobby doesn’t look bad either. The front desk is very friendly, keeps checking if I have any request. My room isn’t ready yet at 12pm so I left my bags with the concierge.
Reports say that their standard rooms are tiny. My Suite Night Upgrade cleared a couple of days before my stay for the best suite of the hotel. It’s good, but nothing spectacular I’m afraid.
Door to the small balcony is locked, but I guess you can ask the staff to open it.
The bedroom is cosy.
Bathroom looks nice although a bit tired as well.
The rain shower is controlled by a digital panel.
Breakfast is complimentary to Titanium members, and you can choose 1,000 points or $10 credit on top.
It’s mainly buffet but I think there are some egg dishes you can order as well. The selection and quality are mediocre.
Gym:
Given what I read online and that I used a SNU award, I had high expectations and I can’t stay the hotel stands up to it. It’s a bit disappointing especially considering what SNU got me at the Marriott County Hall hotel. If you would like to stay in this area, I think the Conrad is a better choice.
My review of Great Northern Hotel, London
Marriott has a “Spend £200 get £75 back” offer with Amex, and I thought it would be a shame not to use it. I decided to spend one night at the Great Northern Hotel in the end.
It is part of the Tribute Portfolio, which was brought to Marriott by the SPG merger. I doubt Marriott has given the brand any thought since, as its footprint is barely growing at all. The only other hotel that I’ve stayed at is the Abbey Hotel at Bath. In my opinion Tribute should probably just be absorbed into the Autograph Collection.
The hotel is very well located as an annex to the Kings Cross station. Although not super central, Kings Cross has arguably the best transport links within London. You may consider staying here before taking the Eurostar.
The hotel doesn’t look so Great when compared to the Renaissance across the street.
Walking through the tiny entrance, turn left for the guest rooms and right for the reception.
The lobby is pretty micro too.
Jokes aside, the hotel does look very new and fresh, which gives a totally different (and maybe better) vibe than the Renaissance. The lift looks like an infinite mirror room.
I’ve received a double upgrade to an Edwardian King Room, High Floor. As far as remember there isn’t much difference between their room types though.
The room feels simple but cosy.
Being on the top floor isn’t necessarily a good thing, since the pitched roof confines the space even further. You can see the St Pancras station through the window.
Actually the hotel isn’t particularly small, but somehow they don’t even have a gym, let alone a swimming pool. I guess it’s due to it being a railway hotel.
Titanium members can choose breakfast as a welcome amenity. It’s fully a la carte and the food is quite good.
There is a Club Lounge on each floor – well that’s how I call them 😉, they are actually just pantry rooms with a coffee machine, some fruits and cookies.
In a word, the hotel is decent, but also inevitably dwarfed by the Renaissance St Pancras Hotel next door. If you want to stay at a Marriott hotel in the area, I’d definitely recommend the latter just for the experience.
My review of Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
(08/2022 Update – just had a second stay here)
I was visiting Manchester again, and although I didn’t intend to stay at the Kimpton again, it’s very cheap using the Ambassador BOGOF voucher (£125 for two nights) so I decided to give it another try.
The current social password Stay Cool surprises with me a postcard, oh well…
The room I’ve got this time is on the 3rd floor. Although not as big as last time, it feels so much better – refreshed furniture, bright daylight from the massive windows, and very high ceiling.
Social Hour is hosted 6-7pm on weekdays and 5-6pm on weekends. There’s a nice selection of drinks.
Diamond members can choose breakfast as their welcome amenity, which is served in the Refuge bar.
It’s mainly buffet, but with a few cook-to-order options too.
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(Originally posted 07/2021)
I’ve stayed at both Kimptons at Edinburgh and Glasgow, and I like them both. Therefore I’ve chosen to try out the Kimpton Clocktower hotel at Manchester to use my Ambassador BOGOF voucher. The Clocktower is significantly cheaper than the other three Kimptons – I paid only £158 for both nights.
The hotel is located off the Oxford road. Despite its proximity to the road and train station I barely heard any noises in my room. It’s not central, but Canal street, the Piccadilly station and city centre are just a short walk away.
The highlight of the hotel is, no doubt the lobby, which is hugely impressive:
Built at 1895 it was originally an office building, and converted to a hotel nearly one hundred years later. If you are a history fan remember to request a free brochure when you check in.
The secret password gives me a Manchester Bee and a box of cream fudge.
Having booked the very basic Urban Double, I’m then upgraded to Deluxe room for which category-wise is quite generous. Upon opening the door you see a small vestibule:
And the actual room is actually on the higher floor. The whole setting is kind of a duplex.
However, the room looks nothing like the stock photos, in a sad way. Sorry for the bad photos, but it brings up the first point I want to make: because of the positioning most rooms are very lacking in natural light, which is worsened by the fact that windows are very small.
Furnishing is tired and dysfunctional. Bed is ok, but I have no idea why anyone would think that 18th-century desk and stool are by any means comfortable enough for anyone to sit. Instead of properly installing the mirror they just leave a standalone one against the wall which feels quite strange.
The bathroom actually looks much better. Maybe they are in the middle of refurbishing all rooms?
I have to stay that I have never felt as depressed in a hotel room like this before. It just doesn’t give you the cosy feel that a luxury hotel should aim for at all.
Breakfast is charged at £18.50pp and there’s no discount if you order upfront. After realising that it doesn’t even include the cooked-to-order items it is a definite no from me. However, a £10 drinks voucher is provided to IHG members, and you could spend it at the famous Refuge Bar.
Although I was really amazed by the glorious hall at first sight, the room unfortunately is a big disappointment and is nowhere near a five-star hotel’s standard. The hotel and its Refuge Bar is still worth a visit, but in my opinion there are many better accommodation choices in Manchester, e.g. the new Indigo near Victoria station.
My review of Kimpton Monaco Seattle
Hotels in the US tend to be expensive, which is why I prefer to splash some of my points here. It doesn’t seem easy in Seattle however, as there aren’t many options to start with. Hilton redemption values are poor, whereas Marriott and IHG may have a dozen of options combined.
I didn’t find anything that’s near ideal, but went with the Kimpton Monaco hotel eventually. 107,000 points for two nights isn’t cheap, but the hotel is quite well located, and it’s right after the new IHG One benefits came into effect so I want to see how it plays out.
The Monaco brand appears to be a chain itself, as it’s present in other cities like Washington DC, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Seattle one is very close to the University Street station, so around half an hour by train to the airport.
The building looks quite tired, and to be honest the W opposite doesn’t look any younger.
The lobby has an Arabic style.
To my disappointment the hotel restaurant is operating at limited capacity and isn’t open during my stay, which means I can’t choose breakfast as a Diamond welcome amenity. However they are running a special promotion, so I’ve got 600 welcome points + 5,000 bonus points instead.
(I forgot to say the Kimpton password :()
There’s a small refuel corner in the lobby for snacks and drinks. If you choose the $20 welcome credit instead you can spend it here.
eStandby was offered online on IHG’s website. The suite upgrade offers are very attractive, and I opted for Premier Monte Carlo Suite which costs only $25 per night. It’s the second-best suite this hotel has (there’s an Ambassador Suite which you must consult the hotel directly for booking).
The top three floors (9, 10 and 11 if I remember correctly) are the so-called Premier Floors. It’s similar to what some hotels have as an Executive Floor – no tangible benefits, but only a dedicated express elevator.
It’s actually a big room split into a living room and a bedroom by a curtain, so not a proper suite in the real sense.
This is the living room with sofa, desk and TV.
And the bedroom:
Nothing to see here in downtown Seattle.
The drapes aren’t black-out at all, which annoys me in the morning.
One thing I like about the UK Kimptons is that all rooms have a yoga mat. I didn’t find one here though so I guess it’s not a global standard.
What they do offer is a daily happy hour (6pm-7pm), which means free drinks for all hotel guests.
I don’t recall if you can order cocktails (for free) too, but from the display I guess it’s possible.
It’s a nice touch of the Kimpton brand.
There’s a gym at the lower ground level.
The hotel advertises a destination fee but I wasn’t charged, not sure if it’s due to the restaurant not open or me booking with points. My total bill is the $50 for eStandby upgrade (no extra taxes).
When I checked out I mentioned the 5,000 promotion points didn’t hit my account. The manager told me it’s actually misinformation and the promotion is double points (1,200 points) or double credit ($40), but since I was told so they’d acknowledge it and award me the bonus.
Two weeks after I checked out there’s still no sign of the 5,000 points and I had to raise it with IHG’s customer care. It was confirmed again – and to my surprise a batch of three 5,000 bonus points landed at my IHG account a couple of days later. I guess they were just a bit slow 🙂
My review of Seattle Marriott Bellevue
I need to stay four nights in Seattle, and following my friend’s advice I chose to split the stay and spend the first two nights in Bellevue. It’s also because I found a good Marriott deal – two nights at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue hotel costs only 48,000 points.
Departing from the airport, there was some traffic going into Seattle and it took 40 minutes to get to the hotel. The hotel is about 10 minutes’ walk away from the downtown park which isn’t too bad. The Westin and W are more centrally located, but more expensive too.
According to their website, most rooms are more or less the same, and one of the main differences is the presence or absence of a bath tub. I expressed my preference for a room with bath tub, but then it turns out to be a quest – no one has any idea what rooms that would be.
They have to turn so many pages before finally assigning me a room. Then I make all the way to it only to find no tub in the bathroom at all. I have to go back to reception and they start another investigation, but this time they send a housekeeper to check the room first, and I eventually get what I wanted.
From what I understand they don’t have suites at this property, and what I’ve got – a high-floor, mountain view Executive room – is the best in their inventory.
The room is okay although nothing inspiring.
When the sky clears up – not very often during my stay in Seattle – you can see the mountains. The Westin and W presumably have better views as they are much taller.
To my disappointment, the bath tub is so tiny and low that you’d be lucky to fit a kid in it. I truly can’t figure out its purpose.
The previous room I entered has a microwave, but it’s not available in this one.
The M Club just re-opened the Sunday before.
Soft drinks and snacks are available throughout the day. I don’t think there’s any arrangement in the evening though.
Elite breakfast is served in the M Club.
Although there are a few hot items served, the quality is very underwhelming.
The hotel has no swimming pool, but a gym.
In summary, the Seattle Marriott Bellevue is just about acceptable and nothing more. If you want to spend your Marriott points and are on budget, it’s one of the better options in and around Seattle.