We all have different hotel preferences; some favor large hotels with hundreds of rooms, while others prefer intimate boutique hotels with just a few. A universal truth, though, is the significance of the hotel staff’s impact on our stay.
The Berkeley, with its 190 rooms, is substantial, and it’s been under renovation for what seems like forever, which still isn’t complete. Expect to navigate around with a few diverting signs and use the staff elevator.
Valentine treats from the hotel in the room.
We have stayed at The Berkeley once before, and we do not think the new layout has improved. The reception area now looks quite odd. It feels like too many designers have been involved over the years. Finding the new location for the rooftop pool is a challenge, and without a changing room, you’re left wandering the hallways in a bathrobe like a white ghost.
Back to the people, the ones who make your stay fantastic: Marcello at The Blue Bar, Antonio at breakfast in the Collins room, Danny, and the front-of-house team, Fainan at the front desk, and of course, the one and only Paul, the concierge. Their dedication to service is astonishing and really makes you feel welcome.
Amazing Croissant from Cédric Grolet.
This is the reason to stay here and, of course, Cédric Grolet’s pastries in the morning. The hotel itself does not do it for us; it lacks charm and personality. We even spotted some machines around that looked like they were trying to dry out the damp.
The first room we looked at (Terrace Junior Suite) was really nice, but it seemed as if the ventilation had been out for weeks. There was a high squeaking noise from the pipe in the ceiling and a smell of mold next to the toilet. After that, I looked at two Berkeley Suites on different floors, which were big and light but had outdated bathrooms. Grandma style – no thanks. In the end, we ended up in a brand-new room. So new that the smell of new paint made you dizzy.
At that point, we discussed changing hotels. No problem to change within the group’s hotels; Claridge’s was tempting. But after traveling all day and having a full schedule, we decided to stay.
Going to miss the staff but not the hotel.
Second visit
Five nights
Park Suite
1
Ok
90%
Cooked to order
Ok
No
No