London Marriott Hotel County Hall — Hotel in London

Our stay was for 3 nights from 9/21/2024 - 9/24/2024. We stayed in Rooms #336 (King Bed River Thames View)  and #447 (Deluxe Family 2 Double Beds).

Let's start with the King Bed River Thames View: #336 was a corner room, so it was shaped odd with lots of spacing. A big chunk of the room had absolutely no lights on the ceiling. So half the room was always gloomy, despite turning on all available lights. The bathroom was indeed spacious but so much extra wall spacing with very little hooks to utilize. There's absolutely no socket in the bathroom for the room’s hair dryer. The socket was  outside the bathroom with a mirror to use in the hallway/closet area - which was dark, despite one slight light from above.

Let's move on to the Deluxe Family Room 2 Double Beds #447 - it was Not at all like the hotel's many pictures depicting the room during the online booking process. Online - the category was depicted as being spacious, with a bench at the end of each bed. Depictions advertised a sofa on the side with quite a bit of spacing from beds to TV table, and window area.

The room we got was tiny, with no benches, no extra spacing in between the TV and beds/window, and no sofa. The reason why I chose this hotel over other nearby ones was because of the massive spacing depicted online.  Instead, this family room looked and felt cramped. And again, very little ceiling light. The whole room was dark and gloomy all the time.

I will admit that I did not notice in tiny letters the online description that the rooms vary from 30 sqm. / 323 sqft. - 45 sqm. / 484 sqft. That's quite a difference!

Marriott, please advertise pictures of the more likely room that guests will actually get. I highly doubt your hotel actually has a lot of the 484 sqft. rooms to begin with. If you did, however, that just means you knowingly gave us the smaller room because we prepaid at a much lower/cheaper non-refundable rate when it was on sale at roughly 535 GBP per night. I also noticed when doing a mock quote for around the same dates 9/22-9/24, the price was at an insane 823 GBP per night for this same family room (there was indeed more availability at the time).

Both rooms, also had non-existent air conditioning, and no fridge. The “fridge” was a full mini bar set-up to nickel and dime you for drinks. The air conditioning was an ancient Siemens brand thermostat with a knob for temperature, and up/down buttons for the fan. Rooms were hot and stuffy at night, and when I stood on the bed to put my hands toward the vent - there was No cold air. We just set the blankets aside every night. When I thought to report the issue, I spoke with other guests coming down the elevators and they had the same problem. Even when checking out, a couple right next to me was also asking the staff to check their room’s air condition too. Basically this was happening in various rooms and not being fixed any time soon.

By the time we realized all the faults of the rooms, the 1st night was already over and we had no intention of wasting the next two nights complaining to staff while on vacation. Which could have possibly resulted in room changes and repacking everything. Or worse, being told by staff that online pictures are never accurate.

This is my 5th time in London, so I do have experiences with other nearby hotels. I chose this luxury one to impress my family and it was abysmal, sadly. My parents and relatives are elderly and their time is precious. They were disappointed this hotel is even considered luxury and asked me to please never put them in a luxury one again.

There are plenty of other standard hotels nearby for more practical prices, and still within ideal locations. Example: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. I'm disappointed in myself for canceling the two rooms at Park Plaza, which was Half the price compared to this Marriott hotel. What's the point of paying a higher cost difference for hotel rooms that were no different or even worse than lower category hotels?

I've canceled my originally confirmed March 2025 stay....

Incredible Marriott with Incredible Location

Marriott knows my dog is a licensed credentialed certified Service Dog for disabilities.

Low Points: Thanks for a wonderful stay thanks to Phillip and Andrea. “Charlie" at Security Saturday night blocked our entrance for 30 seconds with his hands across his hips saying “you’re not a guest here” (not asking first), as we arrived soaking wet in the rain from our long walk home, defiantly claiming “no dogs allowed in here.” Attendants in the M Lounge consistently telling me “but you’re not on the list” even though my key card allowed me access which Andrea consistently verified. The restaurant steakhouse told me they could not accommodate vegetarians easily. The very tall dark skinned gentleman who lurked around us every time we passed through the lobby as if waiting to throw us out (hotel security not knowing of service dog policy?). Amrie and my first check-in attempt asked me to pay my rooms but did NOT charge me for the additional night I added, making me have to go to front desk again and re-pay 7 hours later. Valentyna as one of the three trying to check me in 7 hours later tried upselling me both lounge access and breakfast included, repeating that I had neither despite the fact that Philip arranged something different with me earlier. She then insisted that “this would be for a coffee whilst you waited, not for your entire stay,” which was not true.

The hotel is so wonderful one just expects turn down service yet there is none...perhaps in the suites only?

The plastic artificial obvious grass in front of the front main spectacular entrance is just a shame and it lowers the quality of the property; even cement nicely shined would be nicer than investments in plastic these days.

High Points: My stay was wonderful because of Philip at the Front Desk and Andrea in the Lounge. Ample universal, international plugs by the bed except for USB-C. Tea kettles in rooms with real milk are a plus.

Unique Points: Philip at the front desk should be a Front Desk Office Manager, not “just a front desk clerk.” I’m sure he’ll be promoted soon. He remembered my name, offered prosecco, gave me a tour, consistently checked on my stay, and welcomed me to contact him for future reservations (see below). I would come to stay at this property only and because he would look after my booking personally.

Every time you pass by after check in the front desk, you can have access to a glass of free-flowing bubbles champagne and water which is a REASON TO STAY HERE JUST BECAUSE OF THIS! ALWAYS WITH A SMILE WITH HELPFUL FEMALE STAFF AS LIASONS between waiting and the front desk as well. Incredible system.

Stunning views on Thames with one of the few last left grand dame hotels that's affordable is unique; and access to TWO bridges and the London Eye is incredible.

The M Lounge has breathtaking views. The Library version of M Lounge for breakfast is wonderful, and we had Jay on a "good day" and a day where he was "off," which we're all allowed.

When we finally got to the lounge for a snack that first evening, and finally had to prove myself deserving to be there, Andrea came over with champagne and said “we’re really glad you’re here staying with us.” That—and Philip’s welcome and the card I received from the hotel manager Meri K-- was the only single time we actually felt the spirit of hospitality of welcoming. At all other times it seemed we had to prove ourselves and my disability to be welcomed in this property. Not all disabilities are obvious, and staff must know this. Marriott knows my disability and has on record all of Biskits Guide Dogs International cards, which I’m happy to show any time I check in.

I want to return to the property for the quality of my room, for its location and view, and for the genuine care and concern I felt from Philip exclusively at your property from all...

Location! Location! Location! This place is it, if you have some moolah to splurge. It was our August Vacation, and it was my teen son's 1st trip to the UK & London. We only had time to stay for 8-Days. I have visited London many times previously but stayed at other locations. I specifically chose this hotel because it was centrally located to all the areas I wanted to take my son, as well as what he was interested in. We were a 5-10 Minute walk to Parliament, Westminster Abbey, White Hall, other major attractions and 10-15 Mins from other attractions (Piccadilly, High Tea at Tiffany at Harrods, Lunch/Tea & Biscuits at Fortnums), using the excellent London Buses, The Tube & taxi.

This is 5-Star Hotel and our experience lived up to it. I chose a suite that overlooked The Thames River, with fantastic views of the waterway, Big Ben & Parliament. I also selected the M Club Lounge option which gave us access to the 5th FL Club Lounge that has 24/7, all day/night snacks, refreshments, quiches, pies, drinks and a lounge sitting area. Our suite wasn't cheap, and was north of 4-Figures per night. We stayed 8 Nights, so you do the math. However, you get what you pay for.

This building was previously the center of London Governments, before it was sold off and turned into a hotel. The property is probably worth several billion $$$ due to its size & perfect location. No kidding.

The hotel and staff are fantastic and super-attentive, helpful & informational, including at the breakfast restaurants. The hotel concierge is your best friend here with very helpful recommendations for restaurants. My M-Club Pkg included breakfast at the Library or Gilray's Steakhouse & Bar. I would recommend eating at Gilray's, because you got more scenic views of Parliament & The Thames. There are floor to ceiling windows in Gilray's that enhances the views and ambiance of the restaurant.

Our room was very spacious, huge & luxurious, with what look like a 20' ceiling. The bathroom was huge, with a separate shower and bathtub. The shower had a waterfall head which totally drenches you. Furnished are upscale toiletries from Molton & Brown, which were very nice. There were lots of closet space as well. I must note an odd feature in the shower. There was no receptacle to hold all the shower toiletries. There was just 1 receptacle that could only hold 1 item. You will see this in 1 of the pixs posted, we had to keep the toiletries on the ground when talking a shower. I felt like a peasant having the backbreaking task of bending down to grab my soaps-on-ropes!!! Another criticism was the room fridge, it barely kept drinks cold. The temperature adjustment did not improve matters, however it was a minor annoyance. We were very busy, so we had no time to check out the gym or pool. It didn't matter, as we got an amazing workout, walking all over Central London during our stay!

If you want to have a posh & prime experience in London, at a central location, this hotel is it! Highly...