The Z Hotel Strand — Hotel in London

Hotel is in a prefect location with lots easily within walking distance

Rooms where clean and have everything you need. We paid extra for a window which I think definitely helped.

Our check in experience/ experience with staff on arrival left much to be desired.

We where arriving in London very early ( 7am )in the morning and I'd noted check in was 3pm - im disabled and had emailed ahead of time to request an earlier check in. I got a response reminding me that gauerteed check in was 3pm but if the room was ready earlier they would be happy to check us in. I left it at this .

On arrival nothing was mentioned so I assumed the room wasn't ready yet . The member of staff servicing us tbh, looked like they couldn't be bothered being there, no real welcome or cheery vibe just done the minimum and told us check in was 3pm. We went a wander and came back a few hours later maybe 10 am - and sat in the cafe.

It's here I noticed that the cafe was not only a cafe but was also a staff room, a management office, and also a cafeteria for whole team. All the staff where buzzing about and using also the 1 and only toilet in the whole reception area which one of the management team stunk out btw ( horrible but true sorry ) it actually made us feel like maybe we weren't meant to be there ? Especially at one point when a buffet style lunch got put out for all the staff to enjoy while we watched them look at us like "who are they"

We sat here for around 2 hours without a single word being said to us by anyone. No one bothered once to check if we where ok or if our room was ready earlier.

I emailed to ask for an update and got the exact same message word for word as the first time so clearly it's a copy / pasted effort

We decided to go away again and and came back another hour or so later. We sat for another hour and by this point I noticed other guests being given their room keys on arrival so decided to ask if the room was ready - it was. I have no idea for how long they would have let us continue to sit there while the room was ready or indeed how long the room had been ready for.

Not really great service imo. Really didn't put a great start on our holiday

On checking in I also requested to pay for late check out till 3pm at £25 - again the member of staff I was dealing with (same person ) just looked like he wasn't really listening or really paying attention, he took the payment but continued to tell me twice minutes after paying for late check out that checkout was 11am. I reminded him twice we had LITERALLY JUST paid for late check out and he just hushed me saying oh yes don't worry I know I'm just so used to saying 11am.

Everything else was fine we had no other complaints till 11:27 am on check out day we get a loud angry knock on the door from hotel management to REMIND US check out is 11am. I again explained we'd paid for late check out till 3pm . I really found this unaccetable - they where very apologetic about this BUT not even 20 mins later while I was in the toilet a clearer just walked in unannounced! Again unacceptable.

I find the communication is lacking somewhere altogether here. It was very frustrating so much so we just got ready and checked out early. 2 hours earlier than we paid for.

Not sure I would stay again which is a shame as it has lovely rooms and location is ideal

But the reception area serving as everything BUT being welcoming to quests just isn't ideal for me

The staff member who checked us out I'd love to add was lovely and he couldn't have been more helpful he also apologised for the check out mix up offered us some complimentary drinks and free late check out if we ever stay again which I really appreciated

Mistakes can be made I understand but there was just too many little things for me this time...

Excellent location. Friendly staff. Room are small but the queen is ok for 2 people A double would be too small. Definately worth having a window. Even though the hotel is near to alot of things it is surprisingly quiet. Close to Trafalgar square, Charing Cross station and covent garden station. Many attractions within a walking distance.

The entrance to the hotel is via a small alley. from the main strand street there is a medium sized Z sign. The gate to the alley is locked overnight but your key can open it.

The hotel room is small but it has everything. Shower with hot water ( be careful, the right knob is for temperature and if the numb part is pointing towards you the water will be very hot, keep it pointing away from you towards the wall) shower gel and shampoo but no conditioner. I did wished that there were shelves in the shower. There was nowhere to put your shower toiletries except for a very small shelf in the shower. Also there was only one hook on the shower door. There is No where else to hang a second bathtowel or hand towel.

The Ac worked, cute wall console which controlled the window blind, temperature and lights. The TV worked fine and was a good quality. There was bottle water , tea and coffee.

No cupboard but there were a few hangers in the room to hang things by the wall. Iron and board is available by request at the front desk.

The Bathroom is small and pretty much open. Yes there is frost on the glass wall and door but it is very lightly frosted and you can SEE, SMELL and HEAR everything! Be very aware of this if you are sharing the room with someone.

There is only one elevator , so if it is down you will have to use the stairway. 6 floors.

Members get a free glass of wine ( red, white or rose) and a cheese and fruit plater served in the lobby area. Everything tasted decent and was a nice touch by the hotel.

I would definitely return...

The staff at this hotel are Outstanding, Wonderful, Exceptional, Kind, Professional, Warm, Fantastic, Caring, Fabulous, Helpful, the list is endless 🥰 I have stayed at this group of hotels since 2021 and the Strand one from this year and I will not stay at any other hotel again, unless their hotels are fully booked and I have no choice but to. I have stayed in 5 Star Hotels in London, Tokyo, Philippines, Hong Kong, Dublin and I can 100% say that the staff, service and standards at this group of hotels and particularly this Strand Hotel is MUCH better than any of those 5 star hotels that I have stayed in over the years.🌟😊 The staff at the Strand are so Lovely, Warm and Personable that you feel like you have entered their individual homes and not a hotel. 😊 They make a BIG effort in every way possible and nothing is too much for them. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, the experience is Magical everytime 🌟😊 From the delicious complimentary coffee to the delicious complimentary cheese and wine that is served every day of your stay (as a member) in the cosy cafe, right through to the delicious complimentary lemon, lime, cucumber and mint water, apples and pastries, it is VERY clear this hotels priority is not to count the costs but to spoil their guests and make them feel like royalty, which you do 😊 The rooms are beautifully clean and attractive, beds are super comfortable and the quality of the complimentary soaps and shower gels and teas, coffees and hot chocolates are great! The showers are power ones that always have nice hot water and the TV and air conditioning are great! 😊 But the Super Stars of it all are all the AMAZING staff 🌟🥰 whom I thank VERY much for taking such good care of me everytime i stay and making me feel as SPECIAL as you all are 🥰🌟😊 Wishing you All the VERY BEST in everything ...