Moxy Milton Keynes — Hotel in Milton Keynes

Really impressed! My 2 best friends and I stayed at Moxy MK for 1 of their 40th birthdays. We loved the decor and the vibe. The booking process was very straight forward, as was checking in and checking out. The room was clean and well laid out with space to store our suitcases. Decent sized bathroom. Comfy beds. It was great that the 3 of us could stay in the same room which helped make our stay excellent value. Quite well lit (some hotels are so dark!). We liked that they gave us a key card each (lots of hotels only supply 1).

The staff were super helpful and very welcoming. I was able to check-in early in order to decorate the room with balloons etc. Our room was still being cleaned at first but the person on the front desk kept communicating with the cleaners and let me know as soon as it was free then helped me upstairs with all my things. Everyone I spoke to either in person or over the phone was very friendly and efficient.

You get a free welcome drink - this was a really nice touch but unfortunately you are only allowed to have this rather odd tea-based cocktail. Still - it's free so can't complain! There was a littel girl checking in before and she got a hot chocolate with marshmallows as her drink!

The bar area was nice and chilled with a good atmosphere. There are large tables with power outlets and I can imagine it would be a nice place to come to work or study. There were lots of sofas near the bar area as well as a pool table and plenty of board/table-top games.

The hotel is really well located - right next to the Hub (lots of bars and restaurants) and you could easily get to the shopping centre on foot. You could also walk to the railway station or Xscape or the Theatre District if you don't mind a bit of a trek. Sainsbury's is less than 5 minutes away for essentials.

Regarding parking, I would recommend parking in a marked purple space - there are plenty of these around the area. They cost 50p per hour (at the time of writing) and you don't have to have overnight so I only spend £5.50 for about 24 hours - not bad for a central location.

We opted to have breakfast at the hotel. It was buffet style with a decent variety of items e.g. yoghurt, fruit, various cereals, pastries, breads, charcuterie board, cheese, jams/spreads, doughnuts, bagels, juices, smoothies, hot drinks and cooked breakfast options including eggs, beans, sausages and bacon. I don't think the food itself was anything to write home about but the level of choice was very good and it was all decent enough. The one issue was that they kept running out of crockery and cutlery so we often has to wait. I think some of the cooked breakfast items were also slow to come out.

Check out time was generous (12:00) as was the window for getting breakfast.

We noticed that Moxy Hotels are dog friendly. Both my friends have dogs and we all think Moxy works well as a family hotel and well as for child-free and couples stays. The hotel was in great condition with no doggy smell or signs of dog-related damage!

The three of us agreed that we would absolutely stay at Moxy MK again....

Where to begin...

1. On arrival I tried to park at the hotel only to have to download a stupid app that was difficult to use and needed too much personal information. I left and parked over the road for a fraction of the price using a ticket machine.

2. Obnoxious reception staff - I told the reception lady about my difficulty with the parking garage and she said "It's useless." I said "I hope I won't get fined for pulling in to the garage - can you make a note that I tried but didn't stop so my parking is validated. She replied "It's not our problem, take it up with the parking company if you get a ticket."

She then demanded £50 for incidentals. When I explained I would pay as I go and wouldn't need incidentals she said I might damage the room. So I am being accused of being a criminal before I've even got to the room. Rude.

3. The hotel is trying so desperately to be "trendy" it's bordering on absurd. Reception isn't called reception. Oh no, it's "The Hub". And the rude people who staff it are "The Crew". This is a crap hotel in Milton Keynes, not the Starship Enterprise. Get a grip. The entire hotel is full of pointless hipster-themed junk like motorbike-helmets in the breakfast area and cooky lamps. Every information sign is a double-entendre e.g. "You're smoking... just not in here". I absolutely hated it.

4. The aircon is completely ineffective and wouldn't go below 21.5 C which felt stifling. The window would only open a crack. I nearly suffocated on both nights I had the misfortune of staying. To make it worse, they seem to know it's inadequate so have huge industrial dehumidifiers all over the place which are filling drums with water extracted from the near 100% humidity atmosphere before the drums then overflow onto the floor. These huge machines are generating enormous heat.

5. Only one of three lifts was working and if it went any slower it would be going backwards. The hotel has something like 7 floors of 36 rooms so you may wait 15 minutes for a lift. The lift on the 6th floor had blood on it. I assume someone got so frustrated waiting they punched it and bled everywhere. (See photo)

6. The bed, bedding and pillows were SO uncomfortable. I barely slept for 2 nights on the rock hard mattress and pillows which had no substance whatsoever. They were basically sacks of dust and air.

7. Breakfast had a very good selection of very low quality items.

8. On check in, I was given a voucher for a free cocktail. When I went to claim a delicious sounding "English Garden" (Posh G&T) I was told the voucher only got me some strawberry flavoured instant ice tea in a small glass with approximately a thimble of beefeater gin in it. Why bother?

To summarise, this hotel was disgusting, pretentious and staffed by rude people. I do not recommend it and won't be...

Luke: The Epitome of an Amazing Bartender

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the bar at Moxy where I had the opportunity to meet Luke, an extraordinary bartender who truly left an unforgettable impression. From his exceptional mixology skills to his charismatic personality, Luke embodies everything you could hope for in a bartender.

Luke's passion for mixology is evident in every drink he creates. He skillfully crafts each cocktail with precision and creativity, resulting in an unparalleled drinking experience. Whether it's a classic cocktail or a unique concoction, Luke's attention to detail and knowledge of flavors make every sip a delightful adventure for the taste buds.

What sets Luke apart is his ability to connect with his patrons on a personal level. He effortlessly creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, making you feel like an old friend from the moment you step up to the bar. Luke's friendly demeanor and genuine interest in his customers' preferences make for engaging conversations and a truly enjoyable experience.

Beyond his exceptional bartending skills, Luke's knowledge of spirits and his willingness to share his expertise sets him apart. He is more than happy to guide you through the extensive drink menu, offering suggestions tailored to your taste preferences. Luke's recommendations are spot-on, as he takes the time to understand your preferences and ensures that you discover new flavors that perfectly suit your palate.

Luke's professionalism and efficiency are also worth mentioning. Even during busy nights, he manages to maintain a calm and collected demeanor, effortlessly juggling multiple orders without compromising on quality. His ability to multitask while still providing attentive and personalized service is truly remarkable.

In addition to his mixology prowess, Luke's sense of creativity shines through in his presentation. Each cocktail is beautifully garnished and served with a flair that adds an extra touch of elegance and excitement to the overall experience. Every drink feels like a work of art, leaving you not only satisfied but also visually impressed.

Overall, Luke's talents as a bartender are nothing short of extraordinary. His passion for mixology, ability to connect with customers, extensive knowledge of spirits, professionalism, and creative flair make him the epitome of an amazing bartender. If you're looking for a memorable evening filled with exceptional drinks and delightful conversation, make sure to visit Moxy mk and have the pleasure of being...