3 WORDS...GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL!! This property's best years were years and years ago. My go to hotel in Mayfair is The Connaught, a sister property of Claridges. The Connaught was completely booked and I thought, "It's a sister property, storied history and reputation, how bad could it be?" The better question would have been, "How wrong could I be in making that assumption?" Claridges is quite literally the Grand Budapest Hotel. It is in desperate need of a COMPLETE renovation. The first room that I was given was a replica of the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House or a room from the hotel in film The Shining! Everything about it from the furnishings to the carpet to the bathroom were completely rundown, worn out and threadbare. But the bathroom is what drove me over the edge. It had the worst lighting I've EVER had in a hotel of zero-five stars! There were 4 tiny LED recessed lights and NOT ONE OF THE LIGHTS was above the mirror. Are you kidding me?? Why bother having a mirror in the bathroom if you don't provide adequate lighting? Next, the faucet was so far recessed against the sink bowl that I literally couldn't rinse my toothbrush without it brushing against the overflow hole (yes, that one...the filthy one) against the back of the sink. The final straw was no NO no counter space for toiletries. My room isn't in ANY of the online photos on their website. I requested a room change only to be informed that they were completely sold out and had no other rooms to transfer me into.
After a 10 hr flight, 2hrs in the customs queue due to software computer issues and a 30 min wait in the hotel exec lounge while my room was being "prepared," I was at my wits-end! I insisted on speaking with a manager and told him that I was prepared to leave the hotel if my room wasn't changed. I called The Connaught and exhaustingly explained my plight and pleaded with them to find me a cupboard or linen closet because even those are elegant and beautiful at The Connaught. I'm pretty certain the manager from The Connaught called the manager at Claridges because shortly after my SOS call to The Connaught, Claridges magically found a room for me. The new room was still "old", literally next to the elevator and staircase, but it was clean and I could see myself in the bathroom mirror. My room was $650US p/night and it is sad to say that I was reduced to being grateful and accepting of a room that was simply clean and well lit. RIDICULOUS!! But I was grateful UNTIL I took my first shower and had to lift my leg up and over the side of the tub that was literally like mounting a horse...and there was no safety bar-not sure how someone 60+ could manage to get in and out of this shower. The water in the shower didn't drain quickly enough so I ended up with dirty feet (up to my ankles!!) after each shower and had to hand wash my ankles and feet. RIDICULOUS!! This might be acceptable or expected at Claridges in a third world country but not in MAYFAIR!
On day 3 of my stay, I couldn't find my jacket and pants...I searched my luggage high and low-couldn't find them! Don't ask me why, but something said, check the drawers in the closet. There were 2 small drawers in a VERY old stand in the closet and the housekeeper had taken it upon herself to place my garments in the drawer of the stand. Are you kidding me?? Hanging a coat is one thing but placing my garments into the stand crossed the line. The drawer was dusty and lined with suede that was stained and worn. It also smelled like Macklemore's Thrift Shop. Why would I want my clothing in a dirty musty drawer??
The only highlight of my stay at this hotel was the elevator man for the express elevator, Jay. I am African-American and EVERYONE at the hotel except the Concierge and Jay looked at me as though I was a stow-away. Who stows away on the friggin Andrea Doria?? I went down to the bar on 3 occasions and asked for a simple glass of ice and was given that look that the shopkeepers in Pretty Woman gave Julia Roberts, quickly followed with "Are YOU are a guest at the hotel?" To which I patiently answered, "Of course," only to followed with, "What is your room number and name?" Are you serious?? You need my room number and name for a glass of friggin' ice?? Back to Jay, he was the only friendly face that I saw every day. Thank you Jay!!
I WILL NEVER AGAIN STAY AT CLARIDGES. DO NOT EVER STAY AT CLARIDGES!! Book The Connaught and if they have no rooms available, try The Berkeley, BUT DO NOT EVER STAY AT CLARIDGES. COMPLETELY OVERRATED overpriced behemoth whose best years were a quarter-century ago...and that is being generous. read more