Ideal Central London hotel. (Rembrandt Hotel London)

Member Name: Julie Price

Product:	Rembrandt Hotel London
Date:	12/03/08 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great location, hotel has own pool and fitness club.

Disadvantages: Rooms on small side.

Stayed at the Rembrandt, for a "girlie weekend", there were three of us.

Was very impressed on arrival at the hotel, spacious, modern and relaxing lobby with efficient check-in, however upon entering allocated room, was dismayed to find that the third bed in our triple room was a child's camp-bed.

My friend who booked the hotel had stayed there previously requesting a triple room, and was lucky to have been allocated an executive room with a double & single bed, larger than standard room at no extra cost.. on that basis, she expected to get a similar room this time around.

We called reception, it was not possible for them to replace the camp-bed with a single, as they said hotel was fully booked.

Tired after our train journey, we just wanted to get our heads down so tempers were beginning to get a little frayed. After another two trips to reception the hotel they eventually found an available single room. They'd told us the hotel was fully booked ten minutes earlier!

I decided to take it, as it was on the next floor so not too much of an inconvenience. When I opened the door I was pleasantly surprised. This room although small was ideal for one, and had been recently renovated. It was at the front of the building with a small balcony outside, which if you stood on it and looked right, you could see Harrod's lit up in all its evening glory!

Even though facing the busy road, room was on the 5th floor so traffic noise wasnt a problem unless the windows were open. I found the room warm upon entry, but adjusted the air-con controls and it soon felt comfortable. The bed was lovely, one of the comfiest I'd ever slept in. Well worth making a fuss earlier!

Next morning we went down to breakfast and all remarked at the wonderful buffet-style spread.. there was plenty of choice: full english breakfast, pastries, juices, cereals, fresh fruit, cold meats and even plain old toast! Filled our plates and sat down to eat, while the waiter poured us freshly-brewed coffee.

After breakfast we decided to go out and explore. The hotel is in a great location for shopping, being a stones throw from Harrods and Harvey Nichols. You could spend a fortune here! The hotel is also across the road from the Victoria & Albert museum, and theres a few good restaurants nearby, such as The Oratory and Bibendum. We ate on the Saturday evening at Frankies, owned by jockey Frankie Dettori.. good staple Italian nosh and reasonably priced, only gripe was it was very dark inside and resembled a 1970s discotheque with lots of mirrors and glitterballs, so you could hardly see the menu or what you were eating, but it tasted OK, so thats the main thing! We later headed on to The Collection bar down the road, good music & free entry, but drinks were very expensive.

After all Saturday's shopping and the partying, we spent a lazy Sunday morning in Aquilla, the hotels own health club. It was £7.50 for entry but well worth it as we had the pool, jacuzzi & sauna all to ourselves. Didnt try any treatments.. as the previous reviewer stated, they were not cheap! There were nice touches in the dressing room.. fluffy towels, well -lit mirrors, salon hairdryers, a spin dryer for bathing costume, and toiletries.

Upon check out at midday we were asked if we would like a taxi to be booked for us, our train wasnt departing for a couple of hours so the hotel kindly held our luggage while we took a walk and had one last look around the area. On our return we asked for a taxi and the concierge promptly retrieved our bags, took us onto the street and taxi appeared immediately. Great service!

All in all I would recommend this hotel, but if you require a room for more than two people, be sure to request an executive or family room.

Summary: Good for couples and friends wanting a central location for shopping and restaurants.