User Reviews for Crowne Plaza London Saint James Hotel and Suites

Research User Reviews for Crowne Plaza London Saint James Hotel and Suites (1-20 of 83)

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Dec 6, 2009 by Judith from Kirkland,WA
Overall Rating: 9

• Close to sights and shops.
• Room rather small.

“The Hotel has a swish downstairs and a very good restaurant. The rooms are all different sizes, and I got a small one, but it was warm and comfortable and had everything.”

Aug 8, 2009 by Carol from Prescott,AZ
Overall Rating: 10

• Location - two blocks from Buckingham Palace, four from Westminster Abby.
• Charge 15 pounds for internet . Clerk did help me get e-mail once without charge!

“Really an awesome experience, so close to what we wanted to see. Had coffee maker in room with cookies, comfortable beds, large room, very friendly staff. I couldn't ask for more.”

Feb 24, 2009 by Ann from Dover,MA
Overall Rating: 7

• Quiet room.
• Concierge knew less than me and my guide book was eight years old.

“Safe (I was traveling alone and came back late at night) quiet location, very nice public spaces, well-stocked bathrooms, basic rooms.”

Jan 10, 2009 by Lori from Deland,FL
Overall Rating: 10

• Manager was very helpful.
• Not much.

“The hotel staff was very accommodating and friendly. The Concierge helped us with tickets, directions and anything else we needed. The hotel is located a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace and is very close to shopping and train stations. I would definitely return to this hotel.”

Oct 3, 2008 by Michael
Overall Rating: 8

• The bar.
• Mini bar Price.

“Walking is not an option for business people, so cabs can get pricey. Room service food was good and internet speeds were great. Hotel room was clean, big and had a nice TV. I would recommend this hotel to business people who don't want to spend money but still want to be close enough in a nice hotel.
”

Sep 25, 2008 by Jeffrey from Bloomfield Village, MI, USA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[9]

• Location.
• Staff doesn't speak English; Many rooms unable to connect to Internet.

“My wife and I travel to London and stay in the city two to three times per year. We love the central/convenient location of the Crown Plaza, St. James and have had a number of positive experiences over the past 5 -6 years. This past visit, (22 - 24 September), was absolutely terrible. The problems began at check-in. Two very inexperienced young women (with no apparent supervision) at the check-in desk. Absolutely the worst visit we've ever had to a Crown Plaza property.”

Sep 17, 2008 by Nicolas
Overall Rating: 10

• The staff was helpful and the gym was great, there even was boxing equipment!
• The bathroom was showing its age.

“Great hotel, very well located and with all the amenities you may need in London.”

May 31, 2008 by Dean from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Fitness center/location.
• Bed.

“Great location, would stay again, only problem with hotel was springy mattress.”

May 19, 2008 by Melanie from Paramus, NJ
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Convenient location, great building architecture.
• 4 person lift, really small corridors, old bed and dresser.

“It's really a nice hotel over all, just did not really like our room. I guess that's what we get for the price we pay even though it's a 4-5star hotel.”

May 8, 2008 by Randall from Tullahoma, TN
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Great location and lobby.
• No A/C in our room.

“Great location, 5 min walk to Buckingham Palace, 10 min to Westminster Abbey. Very attentive and friendly staff. No A/C in room. Was told that it's not needed most of year. Room did get a little stuffy even though temp outside never rose above 55 F. Room also faced nice apartments behind hotel. Quiet but not private from a visual perspective.”

Apr 28, 2008 by Janet &. from Calgary, AB CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Close to everything you'd do when visiting London.
• Can't think of anything.

“What a delight to gamble on line and be pleasantly surprised to get what you asked for when ordering from the dark. The Crowne Plaza was wonderful.”

Apr 27, 2008 by Mary from Ft Lauderdale, FL
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Located close to train and attractions, friendly staff, clean rooms.
• Rooms very small, no complementary breakfast.

“The location is very convenient for walking to lots of the attractions and taking the train or subway to the rest. All staff were friendly, concierge was a little busy so did not feel we received personal attention all the time. Rooms very clean and attentive service.”

Apr 18, 2008 by Laurie
Overall Rating: 8

• This hotel was in a great location! Room was clean and comfortable.

“This hotel was in a great location! Just about a block and a half from Buckinham Palace and just as close to the nearest tube station, you are also about 2 blocks for Victoria with lots of shops and restaurants. Room was pretty typical of a room in Europe (small) but I have stayed in much smaller rooms than this. I traveled with my teen age daughters and they had a wonderful time.”

Apr 11, 2008 by Linda from Norwich, CT
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• The staff was helpful.
• The carpet in the room was stained and it wasn't a 4 star hotel.

“The first room they wanted to give us was in a different building and we would've had to walk down all kinds of hallways to get there. It was unacceptable. The 2nd room was not pristine in any way. It needed a makeover. I expected a much better quality from a Crowne Plaza hotel.”

Apr 3, 2008 by Abigail from Raleigh, NC
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Location! It was in walking distance to many of the London sites.
• They were servicing the elevators and it made it difficult since there weren't stairs accessible.

“This hotel had a great location in London. It was walking distance from Victoria Station and also one block from Buckingham Palace. The location is more a business section so much of the stores were closed or empty on weekends. With numerous room amenities the stay was very pleasant.”

Mar 26, 2008 by Paula from Staunton, VA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Located in a quiet and safe area.
• Everything was very expensive 9 pounds for 1 hour of internet.

“Everything else in this hotel was very over-priced. Very nice inside and comfortable, but couldn't afford to eat at the hotel or use the "extras".”

Mar 24, 2008 by Clare from Media, PA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• It was near the center of many sights as well as the tube.
• We could hear the tube below us; it sounded like it was going right outside our window at times.

“It was in a very convenient location. There was a public library and also a market nearby. The neighborhood was very attractive. Check-in was painfully slow, but other small problems we had were fixed promptly.”

Mar 22, 2008 by Steve from Pearland, TX
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Location and quality of service.
• Expensive.

“It is a very nice hotel close to Buckingham Palace. Beautiful rooms, great service, friendly, and within walking distance to Big Ben, Parliament, the London Eye, the tube and the bus route.”

Mar 17, 2008 by Liliana from Detroit, MI
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[3] • Location:[8]

• The location.
• Only one elevator was in function, the pressure of the water was poor, the toilet did not flush, the safe in the room could not be programmed, the tow.

“The location was great and we could see everything, but the quality of the accommodations does not meet 4 star standards in my opinion.”

Mar 16, 2008 by Clare from Victorville, CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• The location was key; quite and very civilized and historic area. The reception area was elegant and staff were excellent and always helpful.
• Only one functioning elevator; they were working on the second.

“For those interested in the traditional sights of London the location of this hotel is excellent. It is within easy walking distance of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and there is a tube station nearby. The room was comfortable and very quiet. The cleanliness was excellent. It is an old-fashioned hotel, not like typical American chain hotels or motels.”

Jan 28, 2008 by Marty from Brookpark, OH
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Central location to London Attractions.

“Met expectations of visit. Cleanliness of room and hotel were impressive. Staff was friendly; concierge was informative and willing to help.”

Jan 21, 2008 by Karla from Federal Way, WA
Overall Rating: 0
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Excellent staff, perfect location.
• Frozen room, poor heating or insulation.

“Couldn't ask for a better location which is what commands the price of the hotel. Staff was excellent. Room older but very clean. Must have has single pane windows, drafty and very cold.”

Dec 3, 2007 by John from North Bethesda, MD
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Location and staff service.
• Drapes were difficult to close; lift was in repair - although noted.

“Excellent location, superior staff, comfortable rooms - could be a touch nicer, but overall a great stay at a great hotel.”

Dec 1, 2007 by Kirk from Mableton, GA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[2] • Location:[9]

• Lobby & location.
• Service when problems.

“Great lobby and location however hotel did not handle problems well including wrong room, broken toilet, no heat in room, broken internet cable, etc. Problem resolution was not only poor but confrontational.”

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Nov 18, 2007 by John from Palo Alto, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location and the building exterior.
• "No smoking" room reeked of cigars.

“Comfortable hotel in great location, near St Jamess park and Buckingham palace. Very friendly staff. Although check in/out were both very slow. I had to try three rooms before getting what Id asked for (a king sized bed) and that one smelled of cigar smoke. Somebody else had charged a meal to my room it was removed after I protested. Hotel is arranged around a wonderful courtyard but it means that getting to the rooms is sometimes like traversing a maze. (I was lucky only a few steps away from the lift, on the 8th floor, with a view over the local roofs).”

Nov 10, 2007 by David
Overall Rating: 8

• Getting old, trans stained carpets, faded draperies, very poor lighting in rooms.

“Not what it could be. Poor bedside lighting caused me to turn on all the lights in the room for reading in bed thus wasting electric.”

Nov 6, 2007 by John from Richardson, TX
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Great concierge, beautiful lobby.
• Loose fixtures in bathroom, put in room far removed from main lobby.

“The decor of the hotel was very pleasing, and the staffs were extremely helpful. However, to access our room we had to maneuver through a maze of hallways and corridors to get to our elevator. Several times we got lost because a door that was usually open happened to be closed. The food was average at best and very expensive.”

Oct 18, 2007 by Barbara from Bury St Edmunds GB
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Spacious room, good location and pleasant décor.
• We were told at check in breakfast was included it wasn't.

“For the money we paid this was excellent value. A top class hotel in the centre of London with helpful staff and a most acceptable pre theatre dinner.”

Sep 27, 2007 by Gil from Bellevue, WA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[3] •

• Location to sites.
• The beds are terrible. Barely better than just sleeping on ground. Staff not helpful when assigning rooms and will attempt to place you in poor rooms.

“Would not stay here again. Very expensive and not a four star hotel. The restaurants were great although expensive. The location was excellent but the quality was not worth the price.”

Sep 22, 2007 by Dan from Mansfield, TX
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Atmosphere & location.
• Elevators didn't work.

“Great location, great staff. Food on menu and internet price was pricey.”

Sep 15, 2007 by Julie from Sierra Vista, AZ
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Great location and value for money in that area of London.
• No restaurants in immediate area.

“An incredible location across from Bucking ham Palace and close to St James Sq Metro. Would stay there again and recommend to everyone.”

Sep 4, 2007 by Sarah from Atlanta, GA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Size of rooms, location.
• Older furnishings.

“Excellent location, very large rooms, though the decor is faded.”

Jul 26, 2007 by Chuck from Lansing, MI
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• It was close to transportation with nice cafes in the area.
• Worn carpets in halls and no view (overlooked mechanical equipment).

“Convenient location close to Buckingham palace and St. James part, nice, helpful staff (prompt and courteous), and needs a good, thorough maintenance upgrade (not major remodeling).”

Jul 17, 2007 by Jennifer from Lagrange, GA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[9]

• The hotel was very convenient to London sights, great for tourists.
• Rooms were not ready at check in or two hours later, restaurant was lousy!

“Our rooms were not ready at check in, or two hours later. They did offer us a room to wait in; however with two adults and four children the extremely small room was almost useless. The restaurant is over priced, poor food and worse service. However, the hotel is close to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and other London sights, if you're traveling without kids it might be a good fit.”

Jul 5, 2007 by Saul from Blacksburg, VA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Room was quiet and comfortable.
• Extras are expensive.

“This hotel met the profile of a 4-star. It was comfortable and clean with attentive staff and a helpful concierge. It was also conveniently located near the sights in Westminster, and convenient to the underground. I will never figure out why cheap hotels give you free local phone calls and breakfast, while fancy hotels make you pay through the nose for those things.”

Jul 5, 2007 by Denise from Mequon, WI
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• I liked the grandness of the lobby and cleanliness of the rooms.
• There was visible mold in the bathroom.

“I enjoyed my stay. The room was comfortable and the wait staff friendly. The reception was good and accommodating.”

May 15, 2007 by Kevin from Issaquah, WA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[2] • Location:[9]

• Overpriced.
• The morning concierge was useless. Mattresses were worn out.

“Great location. The mattresses need replaced and there was mold around the tub liner. The morning concierge was almost useless. Not a bad place to stay.”

May 3, 2007 by Sharon from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Great location.
• Room was on the busy side of the street.

“Overall, this was a really nice hotel, centrally located near all the major tourist attractions and/or an accessible tube line. Be prepared for lots of noise if your room faces the busy side of the street.”

Apr 27, 2007 by Claire from Encinitas, CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[9] • Location:[8]

• Friendly, helpful staff. Good location. Clean.
• Bathroom was a bit worn. Broken tiles, cracks, old-looking.

“Great location, just 5 minutes walk to Buckingham palace. Quiet street. Very friendly, helpful staff. The rooms were average size, with very comfortable beds. Bathroom was a bit small and worn-looking. Lovely courtyard at the back of the hotel where you can enjoy a drink or high tea in the afternoon.”

Apr 14, 2007 by Ellen from Borger, TX
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Wonderful location.
• Nothing.

“Being near Victoria Station, having a supermarket and other shops and banks nearby and it being within walking distance of Westminster make this hotels location ideal. We have noticed an improvement in the level of service as well.”

Mar 31, 2007 by William from Germantown, TN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Very high quality accommodations and great location.
• The room was a little small for the star rating.

“Great hotel experience and location; we would definitely recommend this hotel.”

Jan 18, 2007 by David from Austin, TX
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[6] • Location:[10]

• Great location, close to Victoria station.
• Pricey local calls, room looked a little deteriorated.

“Overall, not bad because of location. It is close to the Victoria station and St. James tube. Buckingham place is just a few blocks away. Hotel room looked somewhat deteriorated (old carpet, old drapes, old water pipes, etc).”

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Nov 1, 2006 by Eugenia from Glen Allen, VA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• I love this hotel. I stay at this hotel every time I visit London. Great service!
• Concierge not always so helpful depending who picked up your call.

“This is a great hotel, great suites & beautiful lounge, a block from Buckingham palace & the underground. I love this hotel.”

Oct 18, 2006 by James from Montgomery, AL
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• It is nicely located. The beds and linen were nice.
• I asked for non-feather pillows 4 times in 4 days. It never happened. The phone charges were silly. Nearly 1.50 for a call that didn't go through.

“I am a business traveler who brought my teen age son to see London. The local call charges were outlandish--one local call for ten minutes cost over 20 dollars. A simple call to a number that did not answer was billed at $1.50! I had trouble getting the cleaning staff to give me non-feather pillows. I asked day after day with no luck. Finally, the rooms are dark and the rooms rather small. But the location was good. The gym was good, as advertised. Prices are so high in London, I am not sure of this hotel as good value. It is OK, but the "extra" charges, 200 dollars for some 8 local calls were all but insulting.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sep 10, 2006 by S. from Miami, FL
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[1] • Location:[10]

• Courtyard and the view of the courtyard from my room.
• Hotel Reception Desk person was extremely rude, beds were too low.

“The best thing about my stay was the courtyard and I did enjoy the quiet location. Upon checking in, the hotel reception desk was very nice and gave me the courtyard view that I wanted. However, I had to remind the hotel service person to change my towels, and give me clean cups and coffee on a DAILY BASIS. They didn't really check up on things too much. Also, the beds were too low (not in a chic/modern kind of way). Upon checkout, I was received by an extremely rude and condescending hotel reception person. I think she gives people who are either checking in or out of the hotel a very bad impression.”

Jul 31, 2006 by Shelby from Chicago, IL
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[7]

• Location to Gatwick Express/Victoria Station.
• Terrible room for the money. Tiny with window facing brick wall! Hardly 4-star room!

“Would never stay there again. I don't believe a hotel should be given a 4-star rating if you could be assigned to a room that is far less than a 3 star. The bed was tiny--not even a queen. The room was a tiny and depressing corner room with a window that a brick wall which really made this room seem oppressive! I was in Paris just before London in a lovely 3 star where the room far exceeded the Crowne Plaza St James London room. The room in Paris felt like a luxury room in comparison.”

Jul 15, 2006 by Jung from The Woodlands, TX
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Great Location / Facility.
• Corridor was bit hot.

“Very Nice Hotel for Tourists.”

Jul 5, 2006 by Anastasia from Munster, IN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Great location, very helpful and friendly staff, couldn't beat the price.
• I had a smoking room that should have been aired out a bit more than it was. I smoke but am clean and don't want to smell like smoke.

“I think I was in the perfect spot for a London sight-seer. It's right down the road from Buckingham Palace, less than a 10 minute walk to Westminster Abbey, Parliament & Big Ben, etc. The hotel itself was beautiful and the room spacious, and the doorman went way out of his way to help me when I asked for it. In addition, certain American celebrities were staying there at the same time.”

Jun 21, 2006 by Mary R. from Celebration, FL
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location was near Buckingham Palace.
• Hotel gave me a hard time accommodating children. Awful view.

“Charge $50 for a roll-away bed which is a rip-off. Put us on roof-level floor with view of air conditioning ducts which had mold growing all over. Called housekeeping 3x to figure out how to work AC but no one knew. Finally on our last night there was a switch underneath the lamp which turns on the air.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jun 16, 2006 by Amber from Springfield, MO
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[8]

• I liked that it was an old hotel, but offered modern conveniences.
• I would have preferred that our bed had been king-sized not 2 twins together.

“I enjoyed our stay here and will consider this hotel for future visits.”