Needing a base for my Christmas shopping trip in December 2007 I was on the look out for a suitable London hotel. This was before I had discovered the InterContinental, which is now my preferred London property, so off I went online to find a suitable hotel. After much searching I found a good deal in Canary Wharf at the Marriott.

I had never been to Canary Wharf before and was excited to stay somewhere different. The hotel had favourable rates compared to the city centre and the facilities looked good. After much surfing I decided on the Marriott for a weekend stay.

Booking

I booked the hotel online at Marriott.co.uk. I booked an executive room for £120 per night. This included breakfast and access to the club lounge.

The website was very user friendly and presented all the available options clearly. All that was required was my address and credit card details and voila, the room was secured. Job done until my trip.

Arrival

The hotel is based in the Canary Wharf heartland at West India Quay, lying in the shadows of one Canada square, possibly Canary Wharf’s most recognisable building. The hotel is easily reached from the Canary Wharf underground station or the West India Quay DLR. The road network is also good, particularly from the M25 and M11 straight into east London.

I took the tube and before I knew it I was at canary wharf. I then walked over to the hotel, easily found as it towers high above the quayside with a huge Marriott sign. You know you have arrived.

Check In

As you enter the contemporary lobby there is a small set of stairs up to the main reception. After I had approached the desk I was greeted by a polite receptionist who took my details. Check-in was efficient and I was advised of the detail of the room that had been pre-allocated to me. I was asked if I was happy with the view and the room style etc. Everything advised was okay and I was happy to go straight to the room. Once my credit card had been processed I was directed to the lift and up to my room.

The Room

The hotel has three main room categories, standard, executive and suite. Both executive and suite also include access to the club lounge.

My room was an executive room, which had sweeping views over the canary wharf skyline and the quayside below. Fab views and a great place to relax at night or after a hard days trading as many of the business guests would no doubt attest!

The hotel had only been open for a few years and had been designed in a contemporary style. The décor was pleasant and bright and the room was a really good size for London.The room was fitted with the following,

• The trademark ‘Marriott’ bed. Truly a dream to sleep in and furnished with the finest linens. You can buy their beds and linen should you wish but at £2000 for a hotle bed I think I can pass…
• 32” LCD TV with full selection of satellite channels
• Wired broadband connection @ £10 per day.
• International telephone
• Drinks tray and fully stocked minibar
• Writing desk and seating area.
• Large built in wardrobe.

The bathroom was large and modern and had a separate bath and shower. The pressure was strong and the linens of a high quality, however the toiletries were a let down compared to other 5* hotels. Everything was Marriott branded, where as other hotels you may get Molton Brown or Elemis. No pushing the boat out here!!

Clun Lounge

A large part of any major hotel chain is now the provision of an Club Level or Executive Level where guests in these rooms are extended a variety of privileges. Those at Marriott included,

• Access to the club lounge where complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails, beers, champagne and canapé’s would be served.
• Full soft drinks service all day
• Complimentary access to the business centre and boardroom should you need to hold a meeting
• A wide selection of the latest magazines, international newspapers and books.

At Marriott the executive room cost an extra £20 per night. Given the inclusion of the breakfast and the evening drinks it is well worth it in my opinion. You get a better bedroom, better service and more for your money. Give it a try!

Restaurant/Bar

The hotel has a restaurant and a bar but I never got to experience either but I shall give you a quick overview none the less!The Curve restaurant sits at the front of the hotel with it’s main focus upon Seafood. There is also a good European menu that would appear to cater for a wide audience. The atmosphere seemed pleasant enough and the restaurant was certainly busy!

Manhattan bar and terrace was the hotel’s bar offering. A typical hotel cocktail bar that was busy enough but nothing to write home about. There are plenty of bars around the hotel so I would venture out if I were you.

Facilities

The hotel can cater for a wide variety of events and has conference rooms, ballrooms and smaller more intimate private rooms all available for corporate hire. Being in the heartland of Canary Wharf expect a lot of business travelers in the week but a more relaxed leisure atmosphere in weekends.

The hotel has a small gymnasium that is furnished with modern cardio and resistance machines and there is also a sauna and steam room available in the changing rooms.

Parking can be provided by the hotel but I do not have the cost for this.

Breakfast

Each day I took my breakfast in the club lounge. There was a large continental buffet selection and a small number of full English items available from a similar buffet. The selection was not huge but certainly filling. Staff were on hand to ensure everything was kept topped up!

Check out

After my two day stay it was time to check out. The receptionist printed my bill and charged my card and I was back on my way to the underground station.

Summary

If you want a decent hotel stay then the Marriott will fit your needs, however as it is a five star property I don’t feel that I lives up to the expectations guests would have of a five star property.

The service is very normal. Nothing ever surprised me or gave me that wow factor and I suppose it lacked a bit of energy and the ability to please it’s guests and push the boundaries.

There are definitely better hotels in London and Canary Wharf, but to be fair the Marriott did deliver, it just didn’t WOW me.

I would look at other hotels in the city or the Four Seasons Canary Wharf if you really want a true five star property, if you aren’t that bothered then the Marriott will cover your needs for sure!

Stay completed December 2007. Booked at www.marriott.com

Enjoy your stay!