Luxury Escape: Lily Hotel London - Your Dream UK Getaway Awaits!
Lily Hotel London: My Love Letter (and a Few Grumbles) to a Dream UK Getaway!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Lily Hotel in London, and I need to spill. Luxury Escape promised a dream UK getaway, and… well, it mostly delivered. It's not perfect, mind you. And that's what makes it real, right? Let's dive in, warts and all. This review is gonna be a wild ride, just like my attempts to navigate the London Underground after a few too many cocktails.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Promising
Right off the bat, let's talk about accessibility. I'm not wheelchair-bound, but I did have a friend with mobility issues, and this is where things got a little… complicated. The website says it's wheelchair accessible, and the elevator was definitely a lifesaver. BUT, navigating the common areas felt a bit like an obstacle course. The hallways, while gorgeous with their posh décor, were sometimes tight. More importantly, the facilities for disabled guests were there in the room, but the public spaces could use a little more thought and easy access. They mentioned the facilities in the rooms were good with Additional toilet, but I didn't see it in my room. I'll give them a thumbs up for effort, but room for improvement. They at least had us covered with facilities for disabled guests.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe, But Not Obsessive
Let's be real, we're all a little germ-conscious these days. The Lily Hotel handled things pretty well on the COVID front. I wasn’t seeing the obsessive cleaning that you might in some hotels, but there was a definite effort. We had Hand sanitizer readily available and saw the staff frequently cleaning surfaces. Rooms sanitized between stays and staff trained in safety protocol. I was relieved to see a First aid kit available! I didn't see any Anti-viral cleaning products - but they did have the basics covered. I did see some sterilizing equipment out and about. I felt safe, not paranoid, which is a good balance.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Foodie Paradise (Mostly)
Ah, food. My kryptonite, and the Lily's shining star! The restaurants were AMAZING. I mean, seriously, the Asian cuisine in restaurant was to die for! And the Western cuisine in restaurant was no slouch either. I tried the Salad in restaurant and it was great. The Desserts in restaurant? Don’t even get me started. I may or may not have considered smuggling a few into my room. They had a Coffee shop, which was perfect for that morning caffeine fix, and a Poolside bar for those afternoon cocktails. The Room service [24-hour] was a blessing after a long day of sightseeing. Oh, and the Breakfast [buffet] was a work of art, a true Breakfast service offering and buffet in restaurant.
I had a bit of a hiccup with the A la carte in restaurant – I ordered something, and it was… well, not great. But the staff jumped to fix it immediately, and honestly, that kind of service goes a long way. I got a bottle of water for an Alternative meal arrangement. They had a Happy hour, so you could get a quick cocktail.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Luxuries
This is where the Lily Hotel truly shines. The Concierge was a lifesaver! They booked our shows, gave us restaurant recommendations (which, let me tell you, were SPOT ON), and generally anticipated our needs. The Doorman was always there with a smile. They had a Dry cleaning, which was clutch. The Daily housekeeping was impeccable - my room was always spotless. The Currency exchange was helpful. The Gift/souvenir shop was… well, overpriced, but I did buy a cute London-themed tote bag. They had a Luggage storage that I used. They offer Meetings, Meeting stationery, and Seminars. The Bicycle parking wasn't as accessible but it was good to have. Of course, they had a Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. You can also leave your cars at Valet parking.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams!
Okay, confession time: I spent approximately 80% of my stay either in the Spa or fantasizing about being in the Spa. The highlight? The Sauna. Oh. My. Goodness. Pure bliss. And the Steamroom? Forget being a tourist, that's exactly what I did. The Pool with view? Stunning. I soaked in that Swimming pool during all hours. They had a Fitness center! And I walked by it. Twice. They offer Body scrub and Body wrap if you're into that sort of thing. The Gym/fitness was amazing, but I'd rather be in the Spa/sauna.
(Okay, I'm going to be honest. I tried the Foot bath. It was… okay. But the sauna? That was a spiritual experience.)
For the Kids: Family Fun, But Not Overwhelming
I didn’t bring any kids with me, but I saw a few families around. They had a Babysitting service, which seemed convenient. They are Family/child friendly and offer Kids facilities like Kids meal.
Available in All Rooms: In-Room Bliss (Mostly)
My room? Perfection. The Air conditioning was a godsend with the London heat (what heat?). The Bathrobes were plush, the Bathtub was deep and welcoming, the Blackout curtains let me sleep in (a rare treat on vacation). Coffee/tea maker, check! The Daily housekeeping was spotless – my room was always immaculate. Let's face it, the Extra long bed was comfy. The Hair dryer was decent. The Internet access – wireless was fast and reliable. The Mini bar was tempting. And the Seating area was great for sipping cocktails. There were enough Towels! The Wi-Fi [free] was a lifesaver, especially the internet access - LAN.
Getting Around: Easy (Mostly)
Taxis were readily available, and the hotel offered Airport transfer. The hotel has Car power charging station if you need it! They also have a Taxi service.
The Quirks, The Imperfections, and the Anecdotes!
Okay, the truth? My first room had a tiny problem. The window wouldn't open. Small thing, you might think. Big deal, especially when you're craving fresh air after a day of inhaling smog. The hotel was super responsive. They moved me immediately, and it's the staff that made the difference. In fact, one of the staff members kept on saying " I’m sorry" several times. I was completely ok for it, but funny.
The Verdict: Go, But Go Prepared
Would I recommend the Lily Hotel? YES! Absolutely. The location is fantastic, the food is divine, and the overall vibe is luxurious and relaxing. However, if accessibility is a huge concern, or you have very specific needs, double-check directly with the hotel. (Or, you know, bring a really strong friend who can carry you up the stairs – kidding!… mostly).
SEO Keywords:
- Luxury Hotel London
- UK Getaway
- Wheelchair Accessible London Hotel
- Spa Hotel London
- Fine Dining London
- Accessible Accommodation London
- Family-Friendly London Hotel
- Luxury Escape London
- London Hotel Review
- Lily Hotel London
My (Messy, Honest) Luxury Escape Offer: Lily Hotel London: Your Dream UK Getaway!
Tired of the ordinary? Craving a London adventure that's both luxurious and unforgettable? Forget those cookie-cutter hotels! Escape to the Lily Hotel London, where you'll be pampered, delighted, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit obsessed (I'm still working on that).
Here's what you get:
- Settle in and let the relaxation begin! Indulge in a stunning stay in a luxurious room, equipped with all the essential comforts.
- Fuel your adventures! Start your day with a gourmet breakfast buffet. Explore London with ease, then unwind in our world-class spa, complete with sauna, steam room, and a breathtaking pool with views.
- Dine like a king (or queen)! Sample award-winning Asian cuisine, savor international flavors, and sip handcrafted cocktails at our vibrant bars.
- We'll handle the details. Leave the planning to us. From seamless check-in to personalized concierge service, we've got every detail covered.
But here's the real kicker, and this is where it gets personal:
Book Your Lily Hotel London Dream Getaway now and Enjoy:
- A Romantic Getaway: Enjoy a Couple's room where you and your partner enjoy a private moment with each other.
- **A discount on your
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a London adventure at the Lily Hotel. This isn't going to be a pristine travel brochure, folks. This is REAL. This is messy. This is me, about to potentially lose my mind in a charmingly chaotic city. My itinerary? More like a loose suggestion, honestly. We'll see where the tea and crumpets (and maybe a pint or ten…) take us.
Lily Hotel, London: The Unofficial, Overly-Emotional, Possibly Delusional Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (aka, the "Holy Crap, I'm in London!" Day)
10:00 AM (ish) - Heathrow Debacle: Right. So, I land. Heathrow. It's HUGE. My first existential crisis hits me right in the face, buried amongst the baggage carousels. Did I pack enough socks? Did I remember the universal adaptor? (Spoiler alert: I didn't. Already stressed.) The immigration queue… a masterclass in patience, which, let's be clear, I lack. Finally get through, feeling like I've survived a minor war.
11:30 AM - Black Cab Bliss (Maybe): Hop into a black cab. "Lily Hotel, please, love," I croak, feeling like a proper tourist disaster. The driver, a grizzled veteran, probably sees a hundred of us terrified tourists every day. He gives a wry smile. This is London, he says in his Cockney accent. Buckle up. I'm already contemplating the price of the ride. Everything feels expensive already
12:30 PM - Check-in Chaos (But Charming): The Lily Hotel! It's… smaller than I imagined. But cute! And the lobby has that cozy, slightly-musty-bookshop smell that I adore. The reception desk is staffed by a sweet woman who looks like she's seen it all (and probably has). Check-in is swift, with a small hiccup: my room key doesn't work. "Oh, happens all the time, dear," she chirps, handing me another one. Right, this'll be grand.
1:00 PM - Room Rescue & Initial Freakout: Room. Small. But clean! And the window looks out onto… a brick wall. Okay, not ideal. But then I notice the kettle, and a packet of biscuits. Suddenly, all is right with the world. For about five minutes. Then, the jet lag kicks in, the fear of overspending, and the general feeling that I’m completely out of my depth. Time for a lie-down.
3:00 PM - Getting Lost (and Loving It, Eventually): Forced myself out of my room, figuring I need to "do" something. Decide to walk to… somewhere. No plan. The street I ended up in was filled with some interesting shops, and a cute bakery. I went in with a huge sigh of relief to see how big and colorful the interior was. Bought a croissant and saw a lovely park. The sun was shining! This is London, I thought, it's already amazing.
6:00 PM - Pub Perfection (Also, Existential Dread Returns): Found a pub! The Churchill Arms. It's literally covered in flowers. Gorgeous. Order a pint of something dark and delicious (a stout, naturally). The pub is alive! It smells of old wood and… well, pub. The music is good, the people seem friendly, and the pint is going down a treat until, bam, the dread of not being good enough hits again. It is the one thing I was hoping to do
8:00 PM - Dinner Disaster (and a Tiny Triumph): Tried to find a restaurant. Wandered aimlessly. Ended up… well, somewhere. The food was mediocre, the service was slow. I felt a strange sadness. The bill was huge. But, on the way back, I stopped at a bookstore, and found one I loved. That's a triumph, right? A small one.
Day 2: Royal Ramblings and River Revelations (aka, The "I'm Actually Doing Stuff!" Day)
- 9:00 AM - The Breakfast Battle: Lily Hotel breakfast. Included, which is a bonus. The buffet is… well, it's a buffet. Decent coffee. The sausage looks a little suspect. I take a leap of faith. Taste like cardboard. I settle for toast and jam…again. (Starting to feel strangely at home.)
- 10:00 AM - Buckingham Palace Pilgrimage: Gotta see the Queen, right? Crowd is massive. The changing of the guard is… well, it's very… ceremonial. Lots of marching. Lots of shiny hats. Impressive, but also a bit… long. I spent the entire time fighting the urge to buy Union Jack-themed everything.
- 11:00 AM - Changing of the Guard Mania: The Changing of the Guard was actually really cool, despite being a long way from the crowd, and the guard. It was fun, definitely worth the trip for the photo. I bought a souvenir.
- 1:00 PM - The Tower of London Torture (Not Really): The Tower. History. Intrigue. Creepy ravens. The Crown Jewels! Wow. Just… wow. I may have spent a disconcerting amount of time imagining myself as a royal, plotting my demise.
- 3:00 PM - River Thames Wander: Walked along the Thames. The water is a bit murky (okay, very murky). But the views are incredible. The London Eye (expensive!), the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge… I suddenly felt so small! In a good way. It was a great day.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (and a near-meltdown): I decide that this time I will eat at a restaurant. I had such a hard time finding a restaurant and had no energy. I went into a cafe and bought some pasta. The cafe was horrible, it smelled of smoke. The food was awful, it tasted like it was cooked 3 days ago. This sucks, I thought. I am going back to my room.
- 7:00 PM - Room Serenity: Went back to the Lily Hotel. The room again. It wasn't that bad, just needed some time to calm down. I sat by the window and watched people walk by. Finally took a deep breath. I am in London.
Day 3: Museum Mayhem and Farewell Feels (aka, The "I Don't Want to Leave!" Day)
- 9:00 AM - Another Breakfast: Another Disappointment: The Lily Hotel breakfast. It was ok, same thing as the day before (toast and jam). They should have made the food good, I thought.
- 10:00 AM - Museum Madness (and a Small Victory): The British Museum! I decide to see the Rosetta Stone. It's amazing! I am suddenly immersed in history. And I actually learn stuff! This is a good day. The museums were a great escape from reality.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch (and a Hidden Gem): I am determined to do better. Did some research. Found a tiny, authentic pub tucked away on a side street. Best fish and chips ever. The locals were friendly, the ale was perfect. Momentary bliss.
- 3:00 PM - Last-Minute Shopping: Souvenirs. For everyone. Stressful. Overpriced. But I found a print of a London Underground map, which is cool.
- 5:00 PM - Packing Panic (and a Moment of Clarity): Packing. Hate it. Realize I haven't actually lived in London, just sort of… existed. Regret not doing more.
- 6:00 PM - Final Pub Pint (and a Tear or Two): Back to the pub. One last pint. Thinking about my trip and how much fun I had. Thinking about flying home. Feeling like I'll be back soon.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner? No. Too full of feelings. Pack more, watch tv.
- 8:00 PM - Longing: One last look at the window again. The sky is beautiful. I love London.
- 9:00 PM - The Dreadful Drive to The Airport: The taxi arrives at the Lily Hotel. I feel a little bit nostalgic. I love the Lily Hotel, I am going to miss the small room, and the nice staff.
Final Thoughts:
London, you are a paradoxical beast! Exhilarating, exhausting, expensive, and utterly captivating. I nearly have a panic attack. The food? Hit and miss (mostly miss), The Lily Hotel? Flawed, but charming. Did I see everything? Absolutely not. Did I make a fool of myself? Undoubtedly. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. Bring on the next adventure, and I hope the hotel is going to be great again!
KLIA Airport Hack: Free WiFi, Bell Suite & Self Check-in! (Xiamen Flight 913a)
Luxury Escape: Lily Hotel London - Your Dream UK Getaway Awaits! (Or Does It?) FAQs - The Unfiltered Edition
(Because let's be real, travel brochures are a lie.)
Okay, so, the Lily Hotel...is it *actually* luxurious? Like, can I expect my butler to be named Jeeves, or...
Alright, buckle up. "Luxury" in the Lily Hotel context? Think…upscale. Let’s not get carried away with Jeeves. More like...a very efficient concierge who can probably score you a table at that impossible-to-get-into restaurant (if you tip well, naturally). The rooms? Decent size, lovely decor. The bathroom? Yes, the kind where you can actually *stand* in the shower without feeling like you're in a phone booth. But REAL luxury? Depends on your definition. I mean, the towels were fluffy (a win!), but the mini-bar selection was a bit, shall we say, *predictable*. I swear I saw a Kit Kat I could've sworn I bought in 1998. Also, a small thing...the view from my room... it was of a brick wall. Fabulous.
What's the food situation like? I'm a foodie, and I need to know if I should pack my own Michelin star...
Okay, the food. Right. Breakfast was…a *thing*. The buffet was comprehensive. The pastries…good, not life-changing. The cooked breakfast? Ah, here we enter the realm of the slightly-overcooked egg. Look, the Lily Hotel isn’t going to win any awards for groundbreaking cuisine. Dinner in the hotel restaurant (was it the "Royal Raspberry"?) was...fine. Edible. I'm sure the chef is perfectly lovely, BUT... it's a hotel restaurant. You're in LONDON! Get out there! Explore! I'd recommend venturing out and discovering the TRUE taste of London. I had an absolutely *incredible* curry from a little place in Shoreditch – completely blew my expectations, and the Lily's fancy dinners out of the water!
The location, is it good for seeing the sights, or am I going to spend half my holiday stuck on the tube?
Location, location, location, as they say. And the Lily Hotel, well, its location...is pretty darn good! Not right in the thick of it, which is a plus, right? You avoid the manic crowds. But it's SO accessible. The tube is practically at the doorstep! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You can get anywhere you want. Buckingham Palace? Boom! Westminster? Done! Plus, there are some lovely little pubs and cafes nearby, perfect for escaping the tourist madness. Seriously, the location was probably the BEST thing about the Lily, and I'm a harsh critic, trust me.
Okay, the spa. Is it worth the hype? I'm dreaming of massages and fluffy robes...
The spa. Oh, the spa. I had SUCH HIGH HOPES. I was picturing myself melting into a cloud of lavender and aromatherapy. The reality? It was…fine. The massage was nice, don't get me wrong. But it wasn't the transcendent experience I'd been dreaming of. The pool was pretty small, and a bit chilly. And the "relaxation area"? Well, it was a bit...noisy. People are talking, reading the paper. Not exactly the quiet Zen escape I was hoping for. Though... the robes! Yes, the robes were amazing. So soft, so fluffy, I considered stealing one. And on the way out, I noticed a sign with a very tempting discount for a facial on the following week. Hmmmmmm, maybe.
What about kids? Is the Lily Hotel a good choice for a family getaway?
Hmm, kids. Honestly? It depends. If you have well-behaved, quiet children who appreciate the finer things in life (and don’t leave sticky fingerprints on EVERYTHING), then maybe. However, I saw a family trying to enjoy afternoon tea, and the screams of the tiny tyrant nearly made me lose my mind. The staff were polite, but…a little strained. There's no dedicated kids' club or anything like that. So, if you're after a family-friendly paradise with all the bells and whistles, the Lily Hotel might not be the best fit. Though, the proximity of the hotel to that massive toy shop – Hamleys - the kids are going to want to go!
Let's get real. What was the biggest problem you had? What really bugged you?
Okay, here’s the truth: The sheer *lack* of outlets. Everywhere! In the room, in the lounge, everywhere! Who designs these places? Do they not know we are living in the age of…technology? I had THREE devices that needed charging at the same time, and I was, quite frankly, having a meltdown. I had to get creative with the lamps, and it was a whole thing. Oh, and the *internet!* Intermittent at best. Considering how important internet is for the modern traveler, this was a *massive* black mark, I was forced to use my data a lot, and my phone bill is going to give me a heart attack. But, other than that, it was fine, I guess.
So, overall, would you recommend the Lily Hotel? Be honest!
Alright, the million-dollar question. Would I recommend the Lily Hotel? Look, it's not *perfect*. Far from it. But, considering the location, the generally pleasant atmosphere, and the fluffy robes... yeah, I'd probably say yes, with a big ol' caveat attached. If you're looking for a comfortable, convenient base for exploring London and don't mind a few minor imperfections (and are prepared to carry your own power strip) then go for it. I did have a good time, overall. Would I go back? Possibly. If the price is right, and they promise extra outlets and improved Wifi... maybe. Definitely maybe.
Is there anything else I NEED to know? Any hidden costs?
Sneaky little costs, eh? Well, of course, there were those, naturally. The mini-bar, as mentioned, will drain your wallet at the tiniest opportunity. Also, be aware of the city taxes, those are unavoidable. And, the Lily's restaurant - be prepared for those prices to rack up, especially the wine list. Always check the final bill carefully. Oh, and... the elevators. They're slow. Very slow. Factor that in when planning your schedule. And if you get a room on the top floor, you’re going to spend half your trip waiting for the elevator. Seriously, I swear I could have walked down the stairs faster sometimes! Don't worry, its not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.
