In the heart of Pimlico (Dolphin Square Hotel)

Member Name: funagogo

Product:	Dolphin Square Hotel
Date:	31/03/07 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Massive Apartment style rooms

Disadvantages: Quite expensive

Over the last few years I have basically lived out of a suitcase, so have been in all sorts of manky, cramped and haunted hotels. When I was told I had to go down to London I wasn't too pleased - it is unfriendly and I can't wear my beloved stillettos because the paths are so uneven.

Unhappily I trotted off (in my flat shoes) to Kings Cross, onto the Victoria line and made the short walk from Pimlico station to Dolphin Square hotel.

Check in:
As I entered through the glass doors to check in I was dealt with immediately. My work had booked me in so I can't really comment on that process, but check in was quick, easy and with one swipe of my credit card I was given swipe card to my room. I was offered a hand with my bags (I was there for 2 weeks so had a few) and taken to my room by the lift opposite the reception desk.

The room:
To say room is a slight under-exageration it is an apartment. I went into the room's entrance hall and to the left was my living room and kitchen in front was my bathroom and to the right was the bedroom. When the building was originally designed in the 30's it was built as a hotel but now it has been split into live in apartments and hotel rooms. Basically the apartments you stay in at the hotel side are the same as the apartments people live in.

In the living room was 2 large sofas a massive widescreen tv and a fully equiped kitchen.

The bathroom was big enough for at least 4 people and came with a massive bath and shower and 2 sinks.

As for the bedroom there was another massive tv and a king size bed.

The staff:
The staff are warm and friendly and every day my room was spotless when I got back in. If I decided to cook instead of going out all my dishes were done too. The reception desk were only too pleased to order taxis, book tables at restaurants and basically everything else I needed.

Facilities:
On site there is a swimming pool, gym, shop, restaurant, gym, hair salon, laundry and parking. The hotel is actual built in a square around a large garden. The area is protected at night by a security guard as one half of the bulding is the hotel and the other half is rented apartments. In the local area are many shops, supermarkets and bars

Local Area:
The hotel is right next to the Thames. The only disadvantage is that on one side is a school so it can be quite noisy in the morning. Within a 10 minute walk is the Tate Gallery and the Houses of Parliament. The hotel is close to Victoria bridge and has a great view of the Tate Modern and London Eye.

Price:
The hotel is quite expensive - around £150 per night

Parking:
There is a car park available at the hotel but it is quite expensive (£12 a night). You also need to get a sticker from reception to put in your window - which means parking, dragging your stuff in, checking in then going back to the car to put your sticker in the cr window.

Overview:
Considering I was not looking forward to London at all this hotel turned out to be a pleasant suprise. Completely unpretensious, and the staff could not do enough to help.

After a stressful day at work I enjoyed going for a swim ordering some room service and slobbing out on the sofa in front of the tv (with some sky channels.)

The room service was standard stuff and was pretty over priced but it was nice enough.

The restaurant was nice enough, but there are quite a few good pubs in the area that serve nice food.

In the local area are many gorgeous Edwardian white buildings, which are worth looking at. The tube station is only a short walk away and is a reasonable price to get anywhere in London.

I did enjoy my stay at this hotel, it was a calming haven in a city of chaos.

Contacts:

Address - Dolphin Square
Chichester Street
London
England
SW1V 3LX

Tel: 020 7834 3800

Summary: Hotel that is a home away from home