A friend of mine who was celebrating her birthday gave me a call to tell me that her husband had booked a fabulous weekend for two in London. Where would they be staying? In the Waldorf.
Nice husband. We met them for breakfast one morning, and I had the chance to ask them about---and take a look into---their fabulous Executive room.
First, the service at the hotel proved to be as phenomenal as its reputation. My friends said their baggage was whisked up to their room almost before they could get there themselves. From the doorman in his derby hat and tails, to the folks at the front desk, the staff here was professional and efficient.
Second, the location of the Waldorf can't be beat if you're interested in all the beautiful bits that tourists usually want to see in London. Covent Garden is--literally--right around the corner. Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace are both just short strolls away. The hotel is next door to theatres, cafes, historic sites... It's in the heart of... well...
everything. Third, the rooms are pretty cool, too. We walked up with our friends to see an uber modern interior. Think flat screen TV, twisted chandelier, bright colors. Then add a bathroom encased in frosted glass and a "butler" for hanging clothes that is shaped like a metal woman! Of course there are all the extra touches you'd want from a luxury hotel…Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries, tons of floor-space, high-speed Internet access, restaurants, an in-door pool... Executive rooms also enjoy access to the Executive lounge for juices, croissants, etc., if guests need a little nibble of something extra before setting out for the day.
In the end, my friends had an absolutely fabulous weekend, and they loved the time they spent at the Waldorf. It was a splurge, to be sure. But some occasions are worth it.
So were there any drawbacks to this hotel?If you have a car, there is very limited parking and you will need to pre-book it with the valet when you reserve your room. Alternatively, the Covent Garden tube stop is extremely close...or you could get to the hotel via taxi.
When visiting, my husband and I were fortunate to find on-street parking (free on a Sunday) right by the hotel, but this was like winning the slots at Vegas.
Then again...why do you want to drive in London? Leave the car at home and don't worry about it!
My friend thought the bathroom was super-cool...but it also made her blush. If you're staying in a room with a colleague rather than a spouse, you might see a bit more than you bargained for in some of the Executive rooms. Simply ask when you check-in about the set-up. I'm sure some of the bathrooms are more traditional.
Bottom line? This is a lovely hotel that comes with a large price-tag. If you can afford a little indulgence, the Waldorf will fit the bill.