VISITING London, for many, can be more of a chore than a treat.
Packed trains, tubes and buses, dawdling pedestrians and over-eager tourists can often leave you rushing for the exit without taking a chance to take a proper look around.
I rarely go into the capital these days for those very reasons. I am either attending a gig at one of London’s many live music venues, which leave me rushing to get the last (packed) train home, or I go for a shopping trip to visit a boutique or cafe that is not available anywhere else. Either way, I’m usually in a rush to get home, so when the opportunity arose to review a hotel in the centre of London came up, I jumped at the chance.
Situated within a three-minute walk of London Paddington, the Mercure London Hyde Park is a stone’s throw from one of the capital’s biggest entertainment venues, and a hop, skip and a jump from the capital’s busiest shopping districts.
Set away from the street in the quiet and leafy Talbot Square, the 4-star Mercure Hyde Park offers a bubble of calm for shoppers looking to rest their weary feet, business people hoping to impress with their next big meeting, or simply for tourists looking for somewhere secluded yet central.
Upon entering the Mercure London Hyde Park, you are struck by the modern design and furnishings. The hotel was refurbished in late 2016 with a nod to the area’s film industry past, with eye-catching artwork, featuring stills from movies shot nearby, adorning the walls.The welcome desk is manned by friendly staff who show you to your room and point out the hotel’s bar, restaurant and fitness suite.
My friend and I were lucky enough to stay in the Pearl Suite, on the first floor, which came complete with a balcony overlooking the aforementioned leafy square. Standing on the balcony with a complimentary cup of tea or coffee from the room’s state-of-the art facilities, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the middle of the countryside, as the hustle and bustle of the capital’s streets seem to fade into the distance.
The room, as with any of the other 72 rooms available at the Mercure London Hyde Park, is generous in its proportions, almost a little too generous as I peered around the corner to exclaim ‘Where is the bed?!’ A huge queen-sized bed, large enough for my petite 5’2” self to need a step-ladder to climb atop, dominates the room, which is framed with floor-to-ceiling french windows.
Sliding doors with frosted windows reveal the large bathroom, complete with complimentary toiletries and under-floor heating, a touch of luxury which adds to the hotel’s already abundant charm. The walk-in shower cubicle, although you could easily call it a wet-room, features a large rain shower head and a powerful hand-held attachment, giving you the best of both worlds. The walls of the bathroom are adorned with pearlescent tiles, in keeping with the name of the suite, and a huge mirror, perfect for getting ready for a night on the town.
When you are ready to head out, the room comes with a complimentary smartphone, called a ‘Handy’ which helps you navigate your way around one of the busiest cities on earth. With free unlimited calls and mobile internet, and a comprehensive city guide, the Handy really is, well, handy! Simply pop in a few details when you first arrive in your room, then pop it in your bag when you head out. Incredibly useful for those who are visiting London for the first time, but equally handy (there’s that word again!) for those who just need a little reassurance.
My friend and I made the most of not having to rush for the last train home and took in a show at the South Bank, followed by dinner and a general ‘mooch’ around the capital, which takes on a completely different feel at night. The tourists are (mostly) gone, the commuters have called it a day, and all that remains are Londoners out looking for a good time.
After a restful night sleep on the incredible bed (Street noise? What street noise?), we made our way down to the lower ground floor for breakfast, which was included in the room rate. An extensive selection of fruit, cereals, cold meats, yoghurts and pastries are on offer, as well as a ‘help yourself’ cooked breakfast buffet. Breakfast left us feeling full and ready to take on another day of sightseeing in London. After bidding adieu to the hotel, we were on the tube within minutes, and on our way to discover more of what the capital has to offer.
Mercure Hyde Park ticks all the boxes if you are looking for a convenient and comfortable hotel to stay for a night in London, with a touch of luxury thrown in for good measure. Easily accessible by London Paddington, which has regular trains to Reading and Twyford, or the Bakerloo line which is a 17-minute journey from London Waterloo.
The Mercure London Hyde Park has three meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 26. The hotel also benefits from a fitness centre, wifi, concierge and dry cleaning service.
Prices start at £129 for a classic double room without breakfast. For more information visit www.mercure.com.
- Our stay at the Mercure London Hyde Park was complimentary.
