Only just spotted this review - thank you for an interesting and informative one. The IC Park Lane used to be my hotel of choice in London but after the huge increases in rack rates and point redemptions, coupled with a downturn in service levels, particularly in the Club Lounge, I can no longer justify it. I've never stayed in a Classic room but I have to say I agree with you and I'd be underwhelmed if I'd received it, especially considering the cost.
Hi Phil. Another great video. London has become a lot more affordable for us (US based) since Brexit, but the hotel looked totally underwelming , for GBP 600 !
Thanks for the comment, it's great to see our cousins across the pond watching the videos. I agree that I wouldn't pay £600 for that room but it's all about the location that generates the price. I often stay out by Hanger Lane and get the Central Line into town. Although the UK is cheaper for US visitors, unfortunately the reverse it true for Brits travelling to the US where hotel prices seem astronomical. I have a few trips on hold until things become a little more affordable. Thanks for your support, Phil
I've got to say that the hotel room really didn't impress me - particularly as it was an upgrade. What would the room you'd paid for have looked like! However, I really liked the tips for Mildreds and De Hems. I always enjoy a bruin café, so I will definitely be trying that out when I'm next in London. Thanks for another great video, Phil. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for your comment and support Oliver. Hotel rooms at the bottom end of the scale rarely impress in central London but the hotel and the staff were great. I booked a hotel room in Soho once and made the mistake of not paying for a window. I was a claustrophobic shoe box with no working air con. I might stay there one night just to film it 😊 Thanks again, Phil
Just confirms what a rip off 5 star hotels are in London. Whilst guests pay up to £600 for a room like that, the hotel will continue with these prices... presumably plus breakfast!! Love the 'upgrade' to a Park Lane view 😂
Thank you for your comment and your sub, it's much appreciated. I guess if I'd paid £600 for the room then I might have felt differently about it. I was diamond and so I got breakfast included in the price, including menu orders. This was also why I got the "upgrade" to a King Room and a Park Lane view, which I agree is a bit of a joke 😂 I always ask if I'm being upgraded and what is the room I'm getting so they have to justify it. It's often to a higher floor of the hotel which affords a slightly better view. Thanks again, Phil
I'm afraid that IHG Park Lane has gone downhill post covid. New GM, Management and new staff. The great staff in the club lounge have all left. Ain't the same and believe me I've spent thousands in that hotel with work.
Didn’t want to post on the AMA comment thread as didn’t know if would feel relevant enough to the main channel. BUT- wanted to ask what you thought of Jerusalem? I thought it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on stage. Someone on a podcast likened seeing that Rylance performance to seeing Freddie Mercury live on stage… and whilst having never had the chance to do the latter I felt inclined to agree :-) great shout on De Hems too. One of the only decent watering holes in the centre of town for my money.
Thank you for your question Sam. I was fortunate to see it twice, once from the Gods (a couple of photos are from that seat is in the Blast from the Past video) and then again when the run was extended due Mark having to postpone some shows, I managed to get some tickets that were released for that. I didn't see Freddie Mercury perform either but I would agree with you that it was an unreal transformation. Any aspiring actor should watch (a tape of) that show and see what they are aspiring to achieve. He becomes Rooster Byron, but brings the rest of the cast along too, at no point did I think the other cast members paled in comparison, which can often happen when an actor of great talent performs. Then as the crowd applauds, Rooster Byron (who has suffered a great beating and torture only moments ago leaving him breathless and barely able to walk as he beats the drum to call on the Byron ancestors and the giants to come to his aid) is shed as easily as removing the cloak that all Byron Boys are born with and Mark Rylance jumps with joy and energy on the stage. The performance is over and Mark is back with us. I don't think I will ever see a performance like that again. I love De Hems, Soho can be a frustrating place to drink in the summer, but de Hems is always worth the wait. I'm trying to think of other bars I really rate. I remember the one behind the stage door I'm waiting at was really good, but another I can definitely recommend is The Wellington on The Strand (down from Trafalgar, near Australia House). Its on a corner and has a nice Oak Panelled bar , lovely in winter with pavement seating in the summer. Writing that took me back to those evenings watching Mark Rylance perform, so thank you for invoking such wonderful memories.
Couldn’t agree more. And yep, the spirit of “play” that he imparts to all the cast is so fun to watch. Worked with an actor once who played alongside M.R. onstage in a production in Birmingham. Once he’d let slip to M.R. that his parents were in the audience that night, Mark goofed around on him even more than usual in the play and in one of his semi-improvisational monologues (of which i gather there were a few) broke the fourth wall and said hello to the parents mid show, in character. Sounded great fun. Will check out the wellington! For me in the middle of town near Carnaby street/oxford circus tube I like “The Old Coffee House” on Beak Street. Proper carpeted-pub floors, fireplace, and very whacky interior incl an absolute shedload of Robbie Williams merch 😂 take care Phil. Thanks for your interesting reply.
Thanks for your comment. If I remember correctly the sauce actually tasted fine but was a little bit heavy. I think the soda bread was a little bit thick too, but again these are very picky criticisms on what was a great breakfast.
Thanks for the comment Richard. One of the great things about Mildreds is you don't usually need a booking. In the old days they refused to take bookings and one of the things that made the trip interesting was joining others who loved the food there milling around outside waiting for a table and just chatting to complete strangers. It was a bit like being part of a secret club.
Only just spotted this review - thank you for an interesting and informative one. The IC Park Lane used to be my hotel of choice in London but after the huge increases in rack rates and point redemptions, coupled with a downturn in service levels, particularly in the Club Lounge, I can no longer justify it. I've never stayed in a Classic room but I have to say I agree with you and I'd be underwhelmed if I'd received it, especially considering the cost.
Thanks for your comment and support, Yeah, the hotel can leave a lot to be desired once you get to your room. The points cost has gone crazy there.
Hi Phil. Another great video. London has become a lot more affordable for us (US based) since Brexit, but the hotel looked totally underwelming , for GBP 600 !
Thanks for the comment, it's great to see our cousins across the pond watching the videos.
I agree that I wouldn't pay £600 for that room but it's all about the location that generates the price. I often stay out by Hanger Lane and get the Central Line into town.
Although the UK is cheaper for US visitors, unfortunately the reverse it true for Brits travelling to the US where hotel prices seem astronomical. I have a few trips on hold until things become a little more affordable.
Thanks for your support,
Phil
I've got to say that the hotel room really didn't impress me - particularly as it was an upgrade. What would the room you'd paid for have looked like! However, I really liked the tips for Mildreds and De Hems. I always enjoy a bruin café, so I will definitely be trying that out when I'm next in London.
Thanks for another great video, Phil. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for your comment and support Oliver. Hotel rooms at the bottom end of the scale rarely impress in central London but the hotel and the staff were great.
I booked a hotel room in Soho once and made the mistake of not paying for a window. I was a claustrophobic shoe box with no working air con. I might stay there one night just to film it 😊
Thanks again,
Phil
Just confirms what a rip off 5 star hotels are in London. Whilst guests pay up to £600 for a room like that, the hotel will continue with these prices... presumably plus breakfast!!
Love the 'upgrade' to a Park Lane view 😂
Thank you for your comment and your sub, it's much appreciated.
I guess if I'd paid £600 for the room then I might have felt differently about it. I was diamond and so I got breakfast included in the price, including menu orders. This was also why I got the "upgrade" to a King Room and a Park Lane view, which I agree is a bit of a joke 😂
I always ask if I'm being upgraded and what is the room I'm getting so they have to justify it. It's often to a higher floor of the hotel which affords a slightly better view.
Thanks again,
Phil
I'm afraid that IHG Park Lane has gone downhill post covid. New GM, Management and new staff. The great staff in the club lounge have all left. Ain't the same and believe me I've spent thousands in that hotel with work.
Such a shame, it's a beautiful old hotel. I stay at the flagship Intercontinental hotels very occasionally when my budget allows
Didn’t want to post on the AMA comment thread as didn’t know if would feel relevant enough to the main channel. BUT- wanted to ask what you thought of Jerusalem? I thought it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on stage. Someone on a podcast likened seeing that Rylance performance to seeing Freddie Mercury live on stage… and whilst having never had the chance to do the latter I felt inclined to agree :-) great shout on De Hems too. One of the only decent watering holes in the centre of town for my money.
Thank you for your question Sam. I was fortunate to see it twice, once from the Gods (a couple of photos are from that seat is in the Blast from the Past video) and then again when the run was extended due Mark having to postpone some shows, I managed to get some tickets that were released for that.
I didn't see Freddie Mercury perform either but I would agree with you that it was an unreal transformation. Any aspiring actor should watch (a tape of) that show and see what they are aspiring to achieve. He becomes Rooster Byron, but brings the rest of the cast along too, at no point did I think the other cast members paled in comparison, which can often happen when an actor of great talent performs.
Then as the crowd applauds, Rooster Byron (who has suffered a great beating and torture only moments ago leaving him breathless and barely able to walk as he beats the drum to call on the Byron ancestors and the giants to come to his aid) is shed as easily as removing the cloak that all Byron Boys are born with and Mark Rylance jumps with joy and energy on the stage. The performance is over and Mark is back with us.
I don't think I will ever see a performance like that again.
I love De Hems, Soho can be a frustrating place to drink in the summer, but de Hems is always worth the wait. I'm trying to think of other bars I really rate. I remember the one behind the stage door I'm waiting at was really good, but another I can definitely recommend is The Wellington on The Strand (down from Trafalgar, near Australia House). Its on a corner and has a nice Oak Panelled bar , lovely in winter with pavement seating in the summer.
Writing that took me back to those evenings watching Mark Rylance perform, so thank you for invoking such wonderful memories.
Couldn’t agree more. And yep, the spirit of “play” that he imparts to all the cast is so fun to watch. Worked with an actor once who played alongside M.R. onstage in a production in Birmingham. Once he’d let slip to M.R. that his parents were in the audience that night, Mark goofed around on him even more than usual in the play and in one of his semi-improvisational monologues (of which i gather there were a few) broke the fourth wall and said hello to the parents mid show, in character. Sounded great fun.
Will check out the wellington! For me in the middle of town near Carnaby street/oxford circus tube I like “The Old Coffee House” on Beak Street. Proper carpeted-pub floors, fireplace, and very whacky interior incl an absolute shedload of Robbie Williams merch 😂 take care Phil. Thanks for your interesting reply.
Living the dream Phil!
That Hollandaise sauce on the Eggs Benny looked a bit nuclear. Tasted OK presumably.
Thanks for your comment. If I remember correctly the sauce actually tasted fine but was a little bit heavy. I think the soda bread was a little bit thick too, but again these are very picky criticisms on what was a great breakfast.
Eggs Benedict mmmmm ! I happened to be in London only yesterday but back again in 3 weeks so will definitely look into restaurant recommendation.
Thanks for the comment Richard. One of the great things about Mildreds is you don't usually need a booking. In the old days they refused to take bookings and one of the things that made the trip interesting was joining others who loved the food there milling around outside waiting for a table and just chatting to complete strangers. It was a bit like being part of a secret club.