JW Marriott Grosvenor House London

The JW Marriott Grosvenor House London was built in 1929 and is one 4 Marriott properties located near Grosvenor Square off Park Lane. I’ve stayed at the Grosvenor House multiple times over the past 30 years and this past visit featured newly renovated common areas and room.  I have a fondness for this hotel since it was the first place I ever stayed in London when my mom and I accompanied my dad on a business trip in the 1990s.

The JW Marriott Grosvenor House is located on Park Lane within 5 mins walking of the Marble Arch tube stop, Oxford street Hyde Park, and less than 20 mins to Harrods or Selfridges. It’s a great central location ideal for those who want to experience the hob nob of Park Lane, the High Street tourist vibe of Oxford street, and the access to Hyde Park.

First Impression

We were greeted promptly and welcomed to a a beautifully renovated lobby and checked in without waiting a single second. I’ve walked through the Grosvenor House multiple times since my last stay, and was very excited to experience it another time.

A look at the hotel pre-reno

Other London Hotels we have booked with points

• Marriott:
  • Hotel Xenia London
  • Marriott Park Lane
  • London Edition
  • JW Marriott Grosvenor House
• Hyatt
  • Hyatt Regency Churchill
• IHG
  • Intercontinental Park Lane
  • Kimpton Fitzroy
• Hilton
  • Waldorf Hilton 
  • The Biltmore London 
  • Conrad London
  • 100 Queen’s Gate
• Airport
  • Hyatt Place Heathrow
  • Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2/3

How we booked:

The last time I reviewed the property was in 2015 when the hotel was just starting to do some renovations. Back then I had Marriott Gold status as a perk of my Amex Plat and was uncharacteristically upgraded to a one bedroom suite for my one night stay. A a point of reference it cost me 45k Marriott Rewards back then.

The one downside of using points at Marriott hotels is that you’ll often end up in some of the most undesirable rooms, which has happened a few times at this property before I started my blog.

On this trip, we had Platinum status and used 3 Free Night Award Certificates we earned from a Chase Marriott Boundless sign up bonus that offer 5 award certs worth up to 50k a piece. These should have expired at the end of 2020, but were extended until June of 2022. We were lucky to find 3 consecutive nights pricing at 50k per night which is off peak as a category 7 hotel – they range from 50k to 70k. Remember, Marriott goes dynamic later this year so better to use these up while we still get great properties at 50k a night.

A look at our free night cert.

Stay Details

• Where: London
• When: January 2022
• How many points: 50k per night – redeemed with certificates
• Status: Platinum
• Upgrade: Yes to Executive Corner King

Check In

We entered off Park Street and left our car at the valet while we checked in. It’s worth noting that many of the parking garages nearby offer parking far cheaper than the Grosvenor House – we used the JustPark app to find some at the Hilton Park Lane – a 5 or 10 minute walk right down Park Lane.

I always double check my benefits. One, it assures me I am being given the proper benefits and nothing has been over looked, and two… it tells the desk clerk that I know what’s up.

The desk clerk quickly confirmed our lounge access, that breakfast would be served in the JW Steak House, and notified us our our upgrade to a corner executive king on the 5th floor.

The Room – Executive King

We were given a Southeast facing corner room that featured 3 windows. January isn’t exactly the sunniest of times in London, but having 3 windows certainly made the room feel bigger.

There is a short hallway featuring double closets where you’ll find robes and a safe

It leads to a small full bathroom finished in floor to ceiling marble.

The vanity features two bottles of water and Bvlgari products. Quite plush.

We actually stayed at the hotel a few days later in a different room – here’s a quick peek at the other room: 630

As a point of reference, here’s a look at the pre-renovated room from my last stay – 830 – a one bedroom suite

The bath hasn’t really changed much…

 

Breakfast

If you’re Platinum Elite or higher you’ll get complimentary breakfast in the JW Marriott Steakhouse which overlooks Park Lane and feels effortless posh and modern.

You can order an item off menu – you can see my avocado toast with poached eggs and smoked salmon.

You can also enjoy the buffet which features a variety of cold dishes.

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The Executive lounge is a massive attribute

It’s located just right off the elevator bank and discreetly tucked down a short hall. Some hotels offer a club level or executive level that doesn’t really add much value to your stay. The offerings throughout the day at this executive lounge are a game changer, and rival some of the better executive lounges found in Asia. There isn’t a view here, but you’ll find a great breakfast, wonderful pastries, loads of drinks, and the 6-8pm canapes could suffice as a meal replacement.

The Grosvenor House really outdid itself with this club. There is loads of space to work ( I wrote this review in a small semi-private TV room ) and a variety of seating arrangements.

Not only is there a Breakfast Spread with pastries, cured meats, smoked fish, but there is a hot offering as well that gives the option to have a traditional Full English Breakfast. There are many juice offerings, soda offerings, and a few coffee machines that will make you lattes, espressos, americanos, etc.

Additionally, they do a nice offering in the evening, which could probably serve as a meal replacement. They also do an afternoon tea prior to I

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The Gym

Plenty of equipment to get a good workout in during your stay. For a London hotel it was good sized and well equipped.

Overall

The JW Marriott Grosvenor House is a fantastic property in the heart of Mayfair/Park Lane that offers Platinum elites and above, a great breakfast with a world class executive lounge. I’ve had the pleasure at staying at over a dozen 4 and 5 star properties across London and this continues to be one of my favorites. For a Platinum Elite looking to redeem 50k certs…this would be nearly unbeatable in central London.

If you’re looking to pay cash, and honing in on hotels in the $250 to $350 ( maybe $400 ) price range, and you enjoy traditional luxury, a great executive lounge, and a Park Lane location, I would seriously consider the Grosvenor House.

If it’s pricing much above that price point and you don’t have status, I would heavily weigh your options. The executive lounge is a major attribute for this hotel and without access, it would be hard for me to justify paying a premium. London is littered with great properties that may be priced better.

Another quick note – the hotel is on the big side, so if you’re wanting a similar location with a more boutique vibe within the Marriott umbrella, the Marriott Park Lane, which is a couple blocks north and may suit you better. It feels like a small hotel even though its right at the Marble Arch tube stop. 47 Park Street, if priced competitively, would offer an apartment like feel as well.

I tend to think if you can get $.01 per Marriott point you’re doing pretty well ( often times you can purchase them for $0.008 per point). Rates for an Executive King were around 400 pounds which is roughly $540 a night, just a bit over a penny a point at the max value of the 50k certificates. We were able to successfully redeem all 5 certs at over $500 a night, meaning we extracted $2500 in value from the sign up bonus.