WESTBURY MAYFAIR Luxe

As an SPG member with lifetime Platinum status, I was keen to try out a new member of Starwood's Luxury Collection and was a happy to pay a premium for a luxury experience, but, ultimately, I felt short-changed. If I had paid £180, this would have been a superlative five-star review, but at £246 for a pre-paid standard room, it was over-priced compared to what else was available in London that night. For that price, there are better West End options available. The hotel's style could be described as 70s luxury, and, though it will not be to some people's tastes, I rather like that it has not been overhauled to look more modern. It was nicely old-fashioned for me. The staff were universally excellent: this hotel's strongest card I thought. The problems come for Starwood SPG members with status. The recognition and benefits that Starwood is renowned for, are thin on the ground here. There was no mention of SPG at check-in, no offer of a late check-out, no mention of which Platinum amenity I would like. Everything had to be solicited. In room, there was no bottled water, no evening turndown. There are four categories of rooms listed, starting at Signature, and going up to Mayfair, Luxury and Junior Suite. As is normal in hotel parlance, the term "junior" is your clue that this is not actually a suite, but a slightly larger room with a sitting area. These are the only categories in the Platinum upgrade pool. Real suites start at Superior, and go up through Deluxe, Corner, Luxury, Terrace and Penthouse. Contrary to SPG rules, none of these suites is available as a Platinum upgrade. (I was offered a Superior suite for a £100 supplement.) In 500+ nights of staying with Starwood around the world, I can't recall another property that excludes every suite category from the upgrade pool. Even ignoring suites, the SPG promise of an upgrade for Platinums to best available room or standard suite does not seem to hold here. Despite there being Luxury rooms on sale at the time of check-in and for several hours afterwards, I was upgraded just one category from a Signature room to Mayfair room number 507. Signature and Mayfair rooms appear to be identical, but the Mayfair rooms overlook Conduit Street or New Bond Street rather than the rear. The check-in clerk said that my request for a room with a view had been honoured, but floor 5 turned out to be too low for that to be true. I was told that there are some Signature and Mayfair rooms on the the top floor (7), so it is possible some of these have a view, as some suites on the same floor appear to have great rooftop vistas, judging by the website photos. The room itself was compact, but comfortable enough. The bed was king-sized (6 ft wide) and very comfy. The bathroom was surprisingly tiny, but did at least have a bath (with shower over). It had one of those annoying translucent doors that means that light is not contained when you use the room during the middle of the night. On a similar theme, the bedside lamp was too bright to allow me to read without disrupting my partner's sleep. I missed the bedside antennae lights that are so common elsewhere. There was no coffee maker in the room, and, oddly, no BBC4 on the tv. Breakfast - my Platinum amenity - was a pleasant unhurried affair, and was served until 11am on a Sunday. Cereals come from a small help-yourself counter; everything else is made to order. The quality of the vegetarian breakfast I chose was very good, although I would have liked the option of a buffet to save time. At the right price, I would definitely stay a here again, but the hotel management needs to wholeheartedly embrace the SPG way of doing business.

You cannot beat this location, right alongside Regent Street, Bond Street, Savile Row and really easy to get round central London. The staff were all very helpful and friendly and the room was fine. It's not a huge room and the bathroom is a little small but it is all well done. I had prepaid breakfast which means you get a slightly different menu, which I thought was odd and may have been why the amount of food was not that big. But, it was all served, not a buffet, and fresh. I liked it here and would very happily stay again.

The Westbury is pure luxury and perfectly situated for shopping and theatre land. The staff are very welcoming and professional. The Polo Bar is buzzing with a great atmosphere and delicious food. Room service is so quick! And the bedrooms sumptuous. I will definitely be back!

A lovely hotel, staff are polite and well versed on the hotel cleaning is spotless, food is top class having a Michelin star restaurant in the the hotel is a bonus, it's location is fantastic also a big thank you to Lucca Mazzarella I had an issue that was dealt with in a first class way.. I will be back to this wonderful place and well done team Westbury

Stayed here for my mates surprise 60th birthday, can not fault one thing from the moment we arrived. Nothing was to much trouble, staff were so friendly but professional. Polo bar offered excellent service both drink and food worth a visit even if your not staying. If you ever get the chance to stop at this hotel in the centre of London just do it!! you will not be disappointed