A few years ago I lived in this hotel. I mean I stayed here 4 nights a week, every week for 10 months. Thanks to the Hilton Islington, I was a Hilton Hhonors millionaire!

The contract finished and I never found myself being close enough (or having a big enough budget) to stay here again…until now.

The hotel is situated just off Upper Street, about 10 minutes’ walk from the tube station. The hotel is fairly standard Hilton really although they have recently lowered their prices in the bar / restaurant to match the prices of the plentiful local competition.
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I had never heard of the Pestana group before however I understand that they are big in Portugal. The Chelsea Bridge Hotel and spa is their flagship property outside of Portugal.

The hotel is situated right next to the old Battersea power station which is a 15 – 20 minute walk to the nearest tube station (Sloane Square). The walk is nice, taking you over Chelsea Bridge, past the old barracks and past the hospital where the Chelsea Pensioners live. You can catch a bus outside the hotel that will take you to Sloane Square (5 minutes) or Victoria (about 10 minutes).

Once I knew the name of the hotel I was staying in, I had a look at the hotels website; the pictures are fairly accurate too. The picture of the lobby looks enormous in the picture and in reality is barely functional. I suspect the same of the pool but didn’t try it.
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Hotwire had this hotel advertised (hotel name excluded of course) as a four star property in trendy Shoreditch. Shoreditch is a trendy area of London with some really cool bars and clubs. Shoreditch also borders Hackney which is a dodgy area of London. The Re Shoreditch is on Hackney Road which is a very long road linking Shoreditch with Hackney.

The hotel is around a 10 – minute walk from the nearest tube (Bethnal Green) although you can get a bus which drops you off right outside. This isn’t down town Harlem however the East-end of London does have its share of crime; keep your wits about you if you are walking back to the hotel from the tube. Better yet take a cab.
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I booked the Marriott Marble Arch on Priceline.  The rate was £85 per night which for a four star hotel in central London is pretty good.

The hotel in situated just off Edgware Road almost in the middle, equidistant from both Marble Arch and Edgware Road tube stations.  The hotel is back one block from the main road which makes the rooms very quiet indeed.

At check-in I was made to fill out a registration card.  This annoys me.  I had already given the same information to Priceline who in turn has give it to the hotel!  Think joined up people!

Anyway after a short check in (and a £50 swipe taken for a three night stay) I was in the room.  I think I had been given a deluxe room as I had two Queen beds in a pretty spacious room; this is London and space usually costs!

Room was real quiet which is so important to me; I was overlooking a side street. The pretend balcony in the room had doors that actually opened so some real air was able to get into the room.  I had all the normal stuff you would expect from a Marriott and actually as a Hilton devotee, I think the Marriott did a pretty good job.

As this was a Priceline rate there was no breakfast.  As part of my healthy living stage (I know, it was a mistake), I didn’t visit the bar either so can’t really comment any more.

I will say that I was distressed every time I used the elevator and read the Executive Lounge badge; I don’t like being a nobody.  What does that say about me?

Marriott Marble Arch, 134 George Street · London, W1H 5DN.  Website