Review: Intercontinental London Park Lane

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Review: Intercontinental London Park Lane

The Intercontinental London Park Lane is located at No. 1 Park Lane. I MEAN….can you get more posh?! Needless to say, it’s situated in an incredible location: Hyde Park Corner. There are nearby tube stations ( we’re talking 5 mins), HARROD’s is 5 mins away, and Hyde Park is immediately across the street. I would have to say that this property is one of Intercontinental’s flagship properties in the world. Here’s my Review: Intercontinental London Park Lane

The Intercontinental London Park Lane review is part of the NFL in London, Scotland, and Dublin Trip Report:

• British Airways Club World A380 LAX- LHR
• London Edition – A Ritz Carlton Hotel is SOHO SEXY
• Marriott Park Lane, London
• Intercontinental Park Lane, London
• Virgin Train First Class Lounge King’s Cross
• Virgin Train First Class King’s Cross London to Edinburgh
• Caledonian Edinburgh, A Waldorf Astoria Property
• Caledonian Afternoon Tea in Peacock Alley
• Balmoral Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court
• No. 1 Lounge at Edinburgh Airport
• Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport
• Intercontinental Dublin
• Lufthansa First Class Ground Services Frankfurt
• Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt Terminal 1
• Lufthansa First Class 747-8 FRA-LAX

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The Background

My family knew we would take at least 1 big trip together, and we wanted to bank as many points as we could. It worked out that late last year, IHG had this incredible promotion whereby you could mail in entires to earn points.  My mom, dad, and I all entered that promotion and earned roughly 200k IHG points. In addition to that promotion we all participated in the Accelerate Fall 2015 program and signed up for IHG cards. From that we earned 250k+ more IHG points and my mom earned two free nights at any IHG in the world.  We were pretty well healed to hit up some IHG properties. SO when the chance to come to London for the Colts game presented itself…we knew what to do.

In order to max out stay, we used my Dad’s account, which is Ambassador, to anchor the trip and link the other reservations to that were redeemed from other accounts. This would give the best shot at upgrades and also for my parents – the ability to stay in the same room the whole time. It worked like a charm.

The Deets

• When: October 2016
• Where: London
• Rewards Program: IHG/ Intercontinental Ambassador
• Status: Spire Elite Ambassador
• How much: 50,000 ( booked pre-deval – now 60k)
• Category Room – Superior
• Other benefits –Upgrade from Standard room
• Total Value – 300 GBP/night ( at the time of booking the pound was roughly 1.5…when we arrived 1.3)
• Savings from points – $390-450 per night

Pre Check-in

I’d written about this in September, but when an award is booked through an Ambassador account it guaranteed an upgrade. The cool thing is you can, often times, check what your upgrade is going to be. I could tell I was going to get at least a category upgrade prior to arrival. 

Check-In

The hotel was renovated in 2007 and the interesting thing is that the Lobby and common spaces are far more contemporary and of the London Park Lane vibe than are the rooms. In fact, the entire ground floor doesn’t fee like an Intercontinental at all – At least not the ones that I’ve stayed in. The rooms, however, are distinctly Intercontinental.

Superior Room

The rooms are NOT big, that’s for sure, But they are handsomely appointed. Let’s be honest, nothing in London is large but I think it would be worth looking into paying the difference between a Superior and the London Collection rooms. The London collection offers newly refurbished rooms and club lounge access ( which they offered for $40 a day, per person). Here are the specs between the two:

And London Collection

I have to say…given the fact that you can get a free night with a Chase IHG card, this hotel is an INSANE value.

Fitness Center

There is plenty of space, it’s well maintained, and has everything you could possibly need.

Overall:

The hotel is SUPERBLY located. The common areas are fantastic and luxuriously appointed. The rooms remind me a lot of the old style Intercontinental rooms, kind of like I stayed at in Sandton, South Africa, and are small but comfy. I didn’t eat at the restaurant, but my folks did and they absolutely loved it. Next time I’m in town I’d love to check out one of the new London Collection rooms. It looks like the style of the lobby is carried through these rooms, and I’d guess eventually will be implemented on all the rooms of the hotel.