Melia White House, London - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report

Melia White House

Melia White House, London

Hotel Address

Melia White House
Albany Street
Regents Park
London NW1 3UP
England

Cranley Rating

Melia White House Hotel

Photo 1 of 24. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel and Apartments
Awards Won	British-Polish Chamber of Commerce Hotel of the Year 2008 UK Inbound Hotel of the Year 2007

Hotel Opened	As the Melia White House in 1999 (in a building first opened as apartments in 1936).
Refurbishment	Ongoing upgrade programme of refurbishment in 2008, including all TVs being changed to flat screen, some carpets being changed and the gym being refurbished.

Cranley Summary

The Melia White House Hotel is a fine building, located in Albany Street close to Regent's Park and within a few minutes walk of three underground stations on different lines. It is at the junction of Marylebone Road and Euston Road, which also puts it close to four London railway stations. The West End is nearby and The City, London's financial district, is only a short taxi ride away. The hotel has 581 rooms and suites, as well as 109 apartments that are available for stays of three months or more. There are three dining options, including L'Albufera, an award-winning restaurant that received an accolade as the 'Best Spanish restaurant outside of Spain in 2004.' The hotel also has Longfords Bar, which is a very cosy and intimate lounge bar. Business guests are well catered for, with broadband internet access available in all bedrooms and a WiFi facility in the executive lounge and ground floor public areas. There is a business centre and several conference/banqueting spaces. One of the function rooms is reached via a spiral staircase and is a popular wedding venue. Leisure facilities include a small gym, but one of London's finest open spaces, Regent's Park is also on the doorstep.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The hotel is located in Albany Street just two minutes walk from Great Portland Street underground station, which is at the busy junction of Marylebone Road and Euston Road. This road connects four of London's main railway stations; Marylebone, Euston, King's Cross and St Pancras, which gives easy access to the north of England and to Europe on the Eurostar service. The entrance to one of London's finest open spaces, Regent's Park, which also houses London Zoo is only two minutes walk away. The sights and shopping of London's West End are easily reached by public transport or within 10 minutes by taxi.

Airports
Distance	16 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi transfers available

Cities and Sights
Distance	0 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi transfers available Bus and Underground available

Layout Description

The hotel has its own small private driveway just off Albany Street, The entrance consists of a large revolving door, with glass doors either side. The impressive tiled lobby area is on three levels, with a few steps down to an intermediate level and then more steps down to the main lobby area where the Front Desk and Concierge Desk are situated. The Place restaurant, Davidoff Café and the stairs down to the gym are all on the upper level on the right hand side of the lobby, whilst the entrance to Longfords Bar is next to the Front Desk. A corridor past Longfords Bar takes guests to the four lifts, which serve all of the guest bedrooms and apartments. L'Albufera restaurant is opposite the lifts. The corridor continues to a short flight of stairs up to a mezzanine level, where the business lounge and meeting rooms are all to be found.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, Spanish and several other languages are spoken.
Payment Methods	All major international credit cards and cash accepted.
Foreign Exchange	Open 24 hours. All major currencies exchanged.
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis are arranged on request.
Tours Arranged	A range of tours can be booked via the Concierge, including city tours of London, which take in Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, The British Museum and the London Eye. Tours can also be booked for other parts of the UK.

Guest Relations	Standard services
Concierge Services	Standard services
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call 24 hours.
Parking	The hotel does not have any parking facilities and it is limited around the hotel. The nearest 24 hour parking is a public car park in Carburton Street, approximately 0.5km away.

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a large revolving door at its entrance and glass doors either side. The large lobby area is on three levels with two sets of three steps and a disabled lift down to the main level, where the Front Desk is straight ahead and the Concierge Desk is to the left. The mainly cream and brown tiled floor has several rugs, with tables featuring impressive floral displays and there are a number of large pot plants dotted around. There are also two separate seating areas, with sofas and a few armchairs. Several large circular columns, which are a distinctive peach colour are a feature of the lobby, whilst the walls are largely sand coloured. All of the hotel's facilities are either at lobby level or up a short flight of stairs to the mezzanine level.

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

There are no shops or amenities in the hotel, but it is only a short walk to the nearest supermarket, next to Portland Road underground station. There are also bars and cafés in the same area. The heart of London's West End, with its vast range of shops is just a few stops on the underground or 10 minutes journey by taxi.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	8
Total Rooms	690
Elevators	4
Rooms per Elevator	173
Total Staff	265
Staff per Room	0.4

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability at an additional hourly charge.
Smoking Rooms	The 2nd and 7th floors are designated as smoking floors, with a total of 141 rooms.
Room Service	Available 24 hours English or Continental Breakfast 07:00 to 11:00 Full menu 11:00 to 23:00 Night menu of salads and sandwiches 23:00 to 07:00
Laundry Service	All items received by 09:00 will usually be returned same day by 18:30. Express service available at a 50% supplement, where items received by 11:00 will be returned same day. No service at weekends or on Bank Holidays.

Club or Executive Facilities

Guests in Executive rooms, Junior Suites, Master Suites and the Presidential Suite are able to use the hotel's 'The Level' package, which includes the following: Deluxe in-room amentities, including a pillow menu, bathrobe and slippers. 'The Level' guests are able to use The Level Lounge, situated on the mezzanine floor, which offers complimentary English breakfast; all day tea and coffee; complimentary soft drinks from 12:00 to 22:30; a range of canapés and alcoholic beverages from 18:00 to 23:00; a one hour complimentary meeting room for four people; complimentary newspapers and WiFi access in The Level Lounge and ground floor areas.

Cranley Comment

Accommodation at the Melia White House Hotel is really split into three separate categories. Standard hotel accommodation consists of Classic and Superior rooms, with a small number of Triple Rooms. The hotel's 'The Level' package offers Executive rooms and three different types of suite; Junior, Master and Presidential, whilst the long stay apartments gives residents a choice of studio or one bedroom apartments. All guests in the hotel, wherever they are staying, benefit from a magnificent building, with long wide corridors carpeted mostly in vibrant red. Guests should be aware of the unusual lifts, which are operated from outside and require users to make their floor selection before getting in to the lift.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Classic	282	Street	Air conditioning Television with satellite channels Broadband internet connection Telephone with IDD Tea/coffee making facilities Hairdryer Iron and board Trouser press Minibar Safe Writing desk with additional data ports Ensuite bathroom with: Bath and shower attachment Magnifying mirror Additional telephone	2 Adults (except singles)	15 - 18

Cranley Comment

Of the 282 Classic rooms, there are 119 king size, 110 twin bedded and 53 single rooms, located throughout the hotel. Solid wooden doors to the bedrooms are entered using an electronic key card. Décor throughout the Classic rooms, including the soft furnishings, is largely cream and shades of brown, although the distinctive carpet is cream with small black squares. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working space. Bathrooms vary in size, but all have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, wc and sink unit.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior	143	Street	As for Classic room with the added benefit of: More space Brighter carpets and other soft furnishings	2 Adults and 1 baby cot	22

Cranley Comment

Of the 143 Superior rooms, 129 have king size beds, including the 5 Accessible rooms and 14 have twin beds. Solid wooden doors to the bedrooms are entered using an electronic key card. Décor throughout the Superior rooms, including the soft furnishings, largely consists of warm shades of red and sand, with matching colours in the patterned carpet, the curtains, the striped chairs and the patterned bed throw and cushions. The effect is very impressive. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working space and all Superior rooms have a large flat screen TV. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, wc and sink unit, as well as another telephone.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Triple	28	Street	As for the Superior room with the added benefit of: More space A convertible sofabed	3 Adults and 1 baby cot	25

Cranley Comment

There are 28 triple rooms in the hotel, which are slightly bigger than the Superior rooms and allow for the inclusion of a sofabed. When in use as a bed, the sofabed does restrict the amount of clearance space in the room. Décor throughout the triple rooms matches that of the Superior rooms, with an effect that is very impressive. Including the soft furnishings, it largely consists of warm shades of red and sand, with matching colours in the patterned carpet, the curtains, the striped chairs and the patterned bed throw and cushions. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working space. All triple rooms currently have an old style TV. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, wc and sink unit, as well as another telephone.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
The Level Executive	83	Street	As for the Superior room with the added benefit of: The Level Package referred to above, plus: Luxury Etro amenities The Level umbrella The Level linen laundry bag The Level bathrobe and slippers The Level carrier bag The Level clothes brush Radio alarm clock Perfumed pot pourri	2 Adults and 1 baby cot	22

Cranley Comment

Of the 83 The Level Executive rooms, 18 have king size beds and 65 have twin beds. Solid wooden doors provide access to the bedrooms and these are entered using an electronic key card. Décor throughout the rooms, including the soft furnishings, largely consists of warm shades of red and sand, with matching colours in the patterned carpet, the curtains, the striped chairs and the patterned bed throw and cushions. The effect is very impressive. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working space and all The Level Executive rooms have a large flat screen TV. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, wc and sink unit, as well as another telephone.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
The Level Junior Suite	42	Street	As for The Level Executive Room with the added benefit of: Extra space Separate lounge area with additional furniture Separate walk-in shower Bidet	3 Adults and 1 baby cot	35

Cranley Comment

There are 42 Junior Suites in the hotel which vary in layout, but they all offer good space and a degree of comfort beyond the The Level Executive rooms, with a separate lounge area with a sofa and chairs. Décor throughout the suites, including the soft furnishings, largely consists of warm shades of red and sand, with matching colours in the patterned carpet, the curtains, the striped chairs and the patterned bed throw and cushions. The effect is very impressive. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working area and all The Level Junior Suites have a large flat screen TV. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, separate walk-in shower, wc, bidet and sink unit, as well as another telephone.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
The Level Master Suite	2	Street	As for The Level Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Extra space Dining table and chairs Guest wc	3 Adults and 1 baby cot	45

Cranley Comment

There are 2 The Level Master Suites, one of which is designated as a smoking room. Guests enter the suite into a small hall, with the guest wc off to one side and the large lounge and dining area to the other. There is a circular solid wooden dining table with four upright padded chairs and a sofa, coffee table, cabinets and pot plants around the room. Décor throughout the suites, including the soft furnishings, largely consists of warm shades of red and sand, with matching colours in the patterned carpet, the curtains, the striped chairs and the patterned bed throw and cushions. The effect is very impressive. A solid dark wooden writing desk and upright padded chair creates a good working area. Both The Level Master Suites have a large flat screen TV in the lounge as well as one in the bedroom. The ensuite bathrooms have marble tiled floors and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, separate walk-in shower, wc, bidet and sink unit, as well as another telephone.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	1	Street	As for The Level Master Suite with the added benefit of: Extra space Separate dining and lounge areas Authentic Persian rugs	3 Adults and 1 baby cot	55

Cranley Comment

The Presidential Suite occupies a prime position at the end of the main corridor on the 8th floor. Guests enter the suite into a large room, with the dining table off to the right and the writing desk with two additional chairs to the left. Straight ahead is the lounge area, with a sofa, armchairs, coffee table and flat screen TV. Décor throughout the suite, including the soft furnishings, is different to any other room or suite, with a light sand coloured patterned carpet, covered in places with authentic Persian rugs. The walls in the lounge and dining area are painted white, but are the more familiar sand colour in the bedroom, where the king size bed is covered with a gold coloured throw. The ensuite bathroom has a cream and black tiled corridor, leading to the washbasin, with a separate opaque glass door off to the left. This features a marble tiled floor and sand coloured walls, with a bath and shower attachment, separate walk-in shower, wc, bidet and sink unit, as well as another telephone. The Presidential Suite offers good space and is nicely furnished, but is not ostentatious.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Studio Apartment	64	Street	Living area has: Pull down bed Fitted closet and drawer space Large fitted desk Fold up dining table and two chairs Mirror Framed wall pictures Two lamps Small kitchen equipped with: Microwave Toaster Coffee maker Kettle Selection of pots 6 each of knives, forks, table & tea spoons 6 each of plates, soup bowls, cereal bowls, cups 12 glasses 1 kitchen knife, spatula, corkscrew, bottle opener, cutting board Bathroom facilities: Shower WC washbasin Bath and hand towels Bathroom mat	2 Adults	19.5

Cranley Comment

Studio apartments are located throughout the hotel and offer residents the same facilities as their hotel bedroom counterparts, but with the added benefit of kitchen facilities. They are very compact but additional space is created by having a bed that folds away into the wall. Fittings include the same good quality furniture as the rest of the hotel, but the décor is different and is slightly subdued by comparison. The small bathrooms have a shower rather than a bath. Maid service is included for three days per week. Studio Apartments are available for lets of three months or more.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Studio Apartment	31	Street	Living area has: Double bed & 2 bedside tables Desk & chest of drawers Sofa and armchair Coffee table & side table Dining table & chair Half moon table, table lamp & floor lamp 4 wall pictures & wall light 1 Television Kitchen equipped with: Microwave Toaster Coffee maker & Kettle Selection of pots 6 each of knives, forks, table & tea spoons 6 each of plates, soup bowls, cereal bowls, cups 12 glasses 1 kitchen knife, spatula, corkscrew, bottle opener, cutting board Bathroom facilities: Bath Separate walk-in shower WC Washbasin Bath and hand towels Bathroom mat Entrance hall with safe	2 Adults	39

Cranley Comment

Executive Studio Apartments are located throughout the hotel and are twice the size of the Studio Apartments. Each apartment is open plan and has separate living and sleeping areas that are divided by a semi partition. Décor is rather more akin to that of the hotel bedrooms, with the use of red and sand colours in the soft furnishings. The ensuite bathrooms include both a bath tub and a separate walk in shower. Maid service is included in the rental up to 5 days per week. Executive Studio Apartments are available for lets of three months or more.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Apartment	14	Street	Bedroom features: King size bed & 2 bedside tables Half moon table, 1 mirror & 1 picture 1 safe Living Area has: Dining room table & 2 chairs 1 television & 3 wall pictures Sofa & Armchair Coffee table & 2 side tables 2 table lamps, 1 floor lamp, & 1 wall lamp Chest of drawers Kitchen equipped with: Microwave Toaster Coffee maker Kettle Selection of pots 6 each of knives, forks, table & tea spoons 6 each of plates, soup bowls, cereal bowls, cups 12 glasses 1 kitchen knife, spatula, corkscrew, bottle opener, cutting board Bathroom facilities: Bath with shower attachment WC Washbasin Bath and hand towels Bathroom mat	2 Adults	44

Cranley Comment

One Bedroom Apartments are located throughout the hotel on the corner wings of the building. The apartments have a separate bedroom with individually controlled heating and a king size bed. All living rooms have double aspect windows and there is a greater definition between the sitting and dining areas. Décor is similar to the Studio Executive Apartments, with bright colours used for the soft furnishings. Maid service is included in the rental up to 5 days per week. One Bedroom Apartments are available for lets of three months or more.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

There are three completely contrasting food options at the Melia White House Hotel, all of which are at lobby level. L'Albufera is an award winning Spanish restaurant offering a fine dining experience in an intimate setting, whilst The Place is the hotel's breakfast room which also serves as the second restaurant, offering a more informal setting for lunch and dinner. The Davidoff Café is a small room which makes good use of the terraced lobby area outside the café with several tables and stools.

L'Albufera

Restaurant Type	Fine Dining
Restaurant Capacity	64 (including 12 for private dining in The Overture Room)
Opening Times	Dinner 19:00 to 22:30 Mon to Sat Closed Sunday
Dress Codes	Smart casual Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available Children's menu
Breakfast Options	None

Cranley Comment

L'Albufera is an award winning, fine dining, Spanish restaurant. The sophisticated mood is captured from the moment guests walk in, with low level lighting, wooden flooring and part wood covered walls, with plush wallpaper adorning the rest of the walls. Background music with a Spanish sound adds to the ambience. An impressive floral display divides two areas of the restaurant and some unusual crockery makes the dining experience even more interesting. The food is influenced by the tastes of Spain, with tapas as a selection before the starters, main courses that lean heavily towards meat and fish, with organic meat also available and some very rich desserts. Meals are topped off by the arrival of the cheese table, with a vast array of Spanish cheeses (no simple cheeseboard here) and a trolley bearing a good selection of 'digestifs'. L'Albufera appears to deserve its reputation for fine dining.

The Place

Restaurant Type	Specialist Grill
Restaurant Capacity	150 (can increase to 170 when necessary)
Opening Times	Breakfast 07:00 to 10:30 Mon to Fri 07:00 to 11:00 Sat/Sun Lunch and Dinner 12:30 to 22:30 Daily
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available Children's menu
Breakfast Options	Hot and cold buffet with a live cooking station.

Cranley Comment

The Place is located at the highest of the three levels in the lobby. It has a stone tiled floor, which together with its mosaic tiled walls and use of 'earth' colours gives it a very rustic feel. It has a low ceiling and as it is divided into sections with partitions, many of the tables are away from the two areas of the restaurant that have windows offering natural light. For breakfast, there is a large hot and cold buffet selection, with a live cooking station that serves omelettes, pancakes and waffles. There is waiter service for lunch and dinner, with the restaurant having a typical selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, though still with a Spanish influence.

Davidoff Café

Restaurant Type	Coffee Bar
Restaurant Capacity	0 (It has a few tables and stools immediately outside)
Opening Times	06:00 to 18:30 Mon to Fri 07:30 to 15:00 Sat/Sun
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Breakfast Options	Coffee and pastries available

Cranley Comment

The Davidoff Café is a very small room in the lobby, close to the hotel entrance, where guests can purchase coffee and other drinks, as well as pastries and biscuits. The café itself has no seating, but high tables and stools are provided on the terraced area in the lobby immediately outside the café.

Bars

Number of Bars

Longfords Bar

Bar Type	Lounge
Bar Capacity	100
Opening Times	08:00 to 02:00 Mon to Sat 11:00 to 01:00 Sun
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Admissions Policy	Children allowed

Cranley Comment

Longfords Bar is a very sophisticated lounge bar that has two entrances from the lobby level; one adjacent to the Front Desk and the other opposite L'Albufera restaurant. There are three steps down into the bar from both entrances. The bar itself is at one side of the room and there are stools around the bar but most of the seating is in sumptuous sofas and comfortable chairs. Lighting is subdued throughout with lamps and wall lights, as well as candles on the tables. The intimate atmoshere is furthered by the use of dark wood panelling on all of the walls. As well as the expected selection of drinks, bar food in the form of tapas and light bites is available throughout the day. The bar features a piano and a pianist/singer plays on Friday and Saturday nights. There are also two flat screen TVs showing sport, but they have the sound turned down.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Is available in 'The Level Lounge' and ground floor public areas, on a complimentary basis to guests who have 'The Level Package.' It is available to other guests in ground floor public areas at a charge. Payment is made online.

In-Room Services

Broadband internet access
Plug socket for laptop
Light on the wall above
Desk
Chair

Business Centre

Two computer workstations in separate rooms, each with broadband internet access. Payment is made with coins into a machine.
Two small meeting rooms for up to four people are available for 1 hours complimentary use by 'The Level' guests.
Secretarial services available 24 hours at a charge, including:
Typing
Photocopying
Printing
Faxing

Meetings & Events

Venue	Size (m²)	Dimensions L x W x H (metres)
Albany Suite	149	Height 2.70	200	130	150	100	60	50	110
Albany Suite B	108	Height 2.70	140	80	120	80	50	40	60
Albany Suite A	41	Height 2.70	40	30	40	20	25	25	20
Chester Suite	130	Height 2.15	100	80	90	60	60	15	60
Chester Suite B	70	Height 2.18	40	40	45	25	30	15	30
Chester Suite A	37	Height 2.18	20	10	20	15	15	15	N/A
Chester Suite C	37	Height 2.12	20	10	20	15	15	15	N/A
Osnaburgh Suite	139	Height 2.15	80	70	80	55	40	15	N/A
Osnaburgh Suite A	69	Height 2.15	40	30	30	25	20	15	N/A
Osnaburgh Suite B	69	Height 2.15	40	30	30	25	20	15	N/A
Nash Suite	40	Height 2.12	25	10	25	15	15	15	N/A
Regent Suite	33	Height 2.12	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	12	N/A	N/A

The hotel has nine state of the art meeting rooms with a total of 650m2 of function space, including The Overture private dining room and can cater for a variety of functions from small businees meetings to wedding receptions. All of the rooms have the latest AV equipment and catering covers all options from a finger buffet to a banquet.

Cranley Comment

The Business Centre and all of the function rooms bar one, are located at the mezzanine level in the hotel, where there is a separate reception area for 'The Level' guests. The Albany Suite is accessed from the same level, but is down a rather splendid spiral staircase, which has a long hanging chandelier. The suite has its own reception area at the upper level, which makes it ideal for functions such as wedding receptions. The other function rooms vary in size and style, with the Regent Suite making a rather grand boardroom with its plush red carpet and solid wooden table, whilst the Osnaburgh Suite lends itself to rather less formal events with its more modern furniture.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Babysitting service

Babysitting is available on request at a charge. The service is arranged through an external agency and advance notice is required.

Cranley Comment

The hotel welcomes families and has a number of rooms large enough to accommodate 2 adults and a child, as well as a cot for an infant. The restaurants have children's menus and high chairs for babies. There are no facilities in the hotel for children, but Regents Park is just 5 minutes walk and London Zoo is only a short distance away.

Entertainment

Evening Activities

Cranley Comment

There is no daytime or evening entertainment at the Melia White House Hotel, but it is located very close to the West End of London, with its theatres, restaurants, clubs and bars.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	24 hours
Description	4 Cybex Running Machines 4 Cybex Cycling Machines (1 with TV) 2 Reebok Step Machines 1 Cybex Step Machine 1 Body Trec Step Machine 1 Cybex Climber 1 Concept 2 Rowing Machine 2 sets of free weights Bench Ball Water Cooler Towels Changing rooms with therapy room for women and sauna for men.
Size	12 metres x 8 metres

Cranley Comment

The gym is situated at lower ground floor level, down 14 steps, with its entrance between The Place restaurant and the Davidoff Café. It has a light blue mosaic tiled wall, with some mirrored areas and a blue carpet. There is a small range of fitness equipment and a Therapy room for ladies, where massages can be done, as well as a Sauna for men. There are changing and showering facilities on site for men and women. Background music is played throughout the gym and there are two small flat screen TVs.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

There is no parking at the hotel, but mobility impaired guests are able to get into the hotel without a ramp, as the pavement has been lowered outside the front entrance. Once inside, there are two short flights of steps down to the main lobby and Front Desk, but there is a disabled lift alongside. There is also a disabled lift up to the mezzanine level where 'The Level' business centre, meeting rooms and business lounge are all located. There are disabled toilets in the lobby and at the mezzanine level, though neither are indicated from the outside. There are steps down into the Longford Bar and up into L'Albufera restaurant, so a portable ramp is used to assist mobility impaired guests. There is no access to the gym, which is down a flight of a dozen stairs. Corridors thoughout the hotel are very wide, giving plenty of access space.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel has 5 Accessible rooms, all of which are in the Superior category and have king size beds. Entrance doors to the bedrooms are large and the bathrooms have sliding doors. Space within the bedrooms allow easy access to one side of the bed only. Bathrooms have been fully adapted for mobility impaired guests, with a run-in shower, low level washbasin and wc and grab rails throughout. There are alarm cords in both the bedroom and the bathroom. The bedroom door does not have a low level spyhole and the wardrobes haven't been converted with low rails.

Restaurants & Catering

The Place restaurant and Davidoff Café are both located at the hotel entrance level in the lobby and so for mobility impaired guests, access is via the disabled lift. Manoeuvrability around The Place restaurant is difficult in parts, with limited space between tables. There are steps down into the Longfords Bar and up into L'Albufera restaurant, so a portable ramp is used to assist mobility impaired guests. Dietary requests can be met throughout the hotel's restaurants, but advance notice of any specific requirements is preferred.

Recreation Facilities

There is a small gym, with a ladies' massage room and a sauna for men, but it is accessible only via a flight of stairs.

Visual & Hearing Aids

Lifts have visual and audio signals to assist visually and hearing impaired guests. Devices are available for guests who need them in their rooms to alert them in case of emergency.

Staff Assistance

All staff in the hotel are trained to assist mobility impaired guests. Other Special Needs guests will be offered the best possible assistance by hotel staff.

Cranley Comment

Most of the hotel is readily accessible to special needs guests, with only the gym being out of bounds. Disabled lifts have been installed where necessary and ramps are available in the bar and one of the restaurants to negotiate the few steps in each. There are good practical features in the bathrooms in each of the Accessible bedrooms, but no low level spyholes nor lower clothes rails in the wardrobes. The largest of the function rooms, the Albany Suite, is usually reached via a spiral staircase, but is also accessible to mobility impaired guests via a stairlift in the staff area of the hotel.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving
Minimise Cleaning Materials
Water Saving

Cranley Comment

Through its 'Green Policy', the hotel is committed to ensuring that it is run in an environmentally friendly manner. The hotel is registered with the Green Hotels Association and has its own committee, formed by key members of staff, whose aims are to implement control measures and monitoring procedures for: water consumption; gas and electricity consumption; food waste; packaging waste; the frequency of linen and towel use; the use of 'non friendly' chemicals and air pollution. Environmental awareness forms part of the company's induction process for new employees. The hotel has movement sensors for the lights installed in all corridors and guests are asked to indicate when they require towels and bed linen to be changed.

Melia White House, London, Report Details

15 June 2008 (First review)

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