Vanet Apartments The Icon, London

The Cranley Report

Vanet Apartments The Icon

Vanet Apartments The Icon, London

Hotel Address

The Icon
37 Millharbour Road
Canary Wharf
London
E14 9HB
UK

Cranley Rating

The Icon

Photo 1 of 21. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Deluxe Furnished Apartments

Hotel Opened

August 2009

Cranley Summary

The Icon is a modern 21 storey new Dockside development located near the business district of Canary Wharf in Docklands, close to Canary Wharf underground station and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Vanet Apartments in The Icon are self-catering serviced apartments aimed at the business traveller with a minimum stay of 14 days. The Studios, One and Two Bedroom Executive and Two Bedroom Deluxe apartments, each have fully equipped modern kitchens in an open plan living area and separate bedrooms apart from the Studios. All apartments are contemporary in design and offer free wireless internet access and flat panel wide-screen TVs with Satellite channels. There is a 24 hour Concierge desk and further facilities include complimentary use of a fitness facility. Canary Wharf underground station offers rail links to all London areas, including 30 minutes to London’s West End theatre district and the City. London City airport is easily accessed in 25 minutes by the DLR.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Icon is a new Dockside development located off Millwall Inner Dock just 10 minutes walk from Canary Wharf’s business, financial, shopping and entertainment district. Canary Wharf underground station offers links to all London areas taking 30 minutes to both London’s West End and the City. City Airport is easily accessed via South Quay DLR station just 5 minutes walk from the apartments. The Icon is a modern 21 storey apartment building situated in a largely residential area and surrounded by cafés, restaurants and small retail outlets.

Airports
Distance	7 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi transfers available Docklands Light Railway

Cities and Sights
Distance	6 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi transfers available Canary Wharf underground station with links to all London areas

Layout Description

The Icon stands 21 storeys high with two coloured glass facade towers adjoined by a central lower building. The Concierge desk is located on ground floor level in the central building, with entry through large double glass doors. There is a small seating area on entry which leads through to the 24 hour Concierge desk flanked by post boxes for each apartment. Four lifts serve all floors with two serving each tower and they are located in corridors leading left and right from the reception area. Turning left from the front entrance leads past the lifts and onto the fitness club.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English and Portuguese.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards except Diners.
Foreign Exchange	There is no Foreign Exchange available.
Taxis Arranged	Taxis can be arranged through the Concierge. Street taxis are available at Canary Wharf which is a ten minute walk from the apartments.
Tours Arranged	A range of London tours can be arranged through the Concierge, some of which include: Buckingham Palace Madame Tussauds St Paul's Cathedral The London Eye Tower of London River Cruises

Concierge Services	The Concierge Desk is open 24 hours and offers the following services: Key collection for the apartments Induction to the apartments Guest queries Booking airport shuttle for guests Maintenance issues Phone calls Information on places of interest Booking London tours Transport information Bookings for theatre and restaurants
Medical Facilities	There is a Clinic in West Ferry Road and a Medical Centre in Robin Hood Lane both of which are a few minutes drive from the apartments.
Parking	Parking is on request only and is chargeable. Parking is just outside the apartments.

Cranley Comment

Entry into The Icon apartment building is through double glass doors on ground floor level, leading into a small foyer with a seating area. The Concierge who is there to assist, meet and greet guests is found immediately opposite the entrance foyer. The 24 hour Concierge desk is flanked by colourful post boxes for each apartment. There are four lifts serving all floors, with two serving each tower block and they are located along marble floored corridors leading left and right from the reception area. Turning left from the front entrance leads past the lifts and onto the fitness club.

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

There are no shops or other amenities in The Icon. Within the immediate vicinity are several newsagents selling newspapers, drinks, cigarettes and sundry items; a dry cleaners; a supermarket; cafés and several restaurants, including Spanish and Lebanese. Canary Wharf is a 10 minute walk from the apartments and offers an abundance of retail outlets, department stores, pharmacies, banks, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	21
Total Rooms	29
Elevators	4
Rooms per Elevator	7

Check-in Time	24 hours
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Late check-out is subject to availability and may incur a charge.
Smoking Rooms	Vanet Apartments in The Icon are smoke free zones.
Room Service	There is no room service available.
Laundry Service	Vanet Apartments in The Icon have washing machines with tumble dryers in all their apartments. On request, guests may call Vanet Apartments management office and arrange to have their laundry and dry cleaning collected and returned at a charge. There is a laundry and dry cleaners located in Pepper Street, which is a two minute walk from the apartments.

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments offer 29 serviced self-catering apartments in The Icon. These apartments are spread over the building’s 21 floors and consist of Studio, One and Two Bedroom Executive and Two Bedroom Deluxe units. Each apartment has an open-plan living aspect and is individually furnished to a good standard in a modern and contemporary design. Decorations throughout are in white with wooden parquet flooring and for the most part, carpets in the bedrooms. Located off each unit’s living area is a fully equipped modern kitchen with every appliance needed for self-catering accommodation.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Studio	5	City	Video entry phone Traditional key locking system into apartment Viewfinder spy hole Security chain DDI line (Skype telephone) Wireless internet access (free of charge) Flat panel wide-screen 46” TV Satellite TV Audio system (DVD/CD player/recorder) Safe 3 pin square British sockets Temperature controlled heating Open plan living and bedroom area Balcony Dining table and two chairs Standard double bed Free standing wardrobe Free standing chest of drawers Hairdryer Fully fitted kitchen with: Oven Microwave Hob Fridge Freezer Washer/dryer Dishwasher Iron and ironing board Bathroom with: Walk in shower Single sink Toilet Bathroom amenities from pumped containers Shaving socket 220V Heated towel rail Weekly housekeeping Weekly linen change Welcome package (tea, milk, sugar, wine and various snacking nibbles) Laundry & dry-cleaning service on request	4 Adults	36

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments have 5 Studios in The Icon. These self-catering serviced apartments have a City view and offer a modern bright and spacious living environment. Each apartment has natural daylight through floor to ceiling windows in an open-plan living area, kitchen and bedroom. All Studios are individually furnished, have wooden parquet flooring and are decorated throughout in white. The bedroom has a standard double bed, a free standing wooden chest of drawers and double wardrobe. The living area is furnished with a sofa with colourful scatter cushions, a coffee table and a unit housing a flat screen TV, DVD and CD player. There is a small wooden decked balcony located off the living area which is not furnished. Fully equipped kitchens offer everything needed for self-catering and a dining area with a table and four chairs. Bathrooms have tiled walls, a walk-in power shower, a marble vanity unit with a raised marble sink and a toilet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Executive	10	5 City 5 Courtyard	As per the Studio Apartment with the added benefit of: More space Entrance hallway Easy chair in lounge Larger dining table 4 dining chairs Separate bedroom King-size bed Carpet in the bedroom Larger bathroom Bathtub with shower over	4 Adults	60

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments have 10 One Bedroom Executive self-catering serviced apartments in The Icon with city or courtyard views. The apartments are bright and airy and offer a modern and spacious living environment. Both the bedroom and open plan living area offer natural daylight through floor to ceiling windows. Each unit is individually furnished and features wooden parquet flooring in the hall and open-plan living area, a carpeted bedroom and is decorated throughout in white. The living area is furnished with a sofa, easy chair, coffee table and a wooden unit housing a flat screen TV, DVD and CD player. A door from the lounge leads out to a small wooden decked balcony which is not furnished. Each fully equipped kitchen runs along the entire width at one end of the living area and offers a dining area with a table and four chairs. Bedrooms are furnished with a free standing wooden double wardrobe, wooden chest of drawers, a King-size bed and bedside cabinets. The bathrooms have tiled walls and floors, a marble vanity unit with a single sink, a bathtub with a shower over and a toilet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Executive	12	6 Courtyard 6 Waterside	As per the One Bedroom Executive Apartments with the added benefit of: More Space Larger entrance hallway Two sofas in the lounge Second bedroom Double bed Bedside cabinets Free standing wardrobe Free standing drawer unit En-suite shower room with walk in shower, vanity sink and toilet	4 Adults	70 to 90

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments have 12 Two Bedroom Executive self-catering serviced apartments in The Icon. These apartments vary slightly in size according to their position in the building and have either a Courtyard or Waterside view. Each apartment is spacious and offers a bright and airy living environment. Two Bedroom Executive apartments are decorated and furnished in exactly the same modern style and offer the same amenities as the One Bedroom Executive apartments. These apartments have the added benefit of more space with a larger entrance hall, two sofas in the lounge area, a second bedroom and an en-suite bathroom off the master bedroom. The second bedroom is located off the entrance hall and is carpeted and furnished with a double bed, a freestanding wooden double wardrobe, wooden chest of drawers and two bedside cabinets. Each en-suite bathroom features tiled walls and floors, a walk-in power shower, a marble vanity unit with a single sink and a toilet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Deluxe	2	Waterside	As per the Two Bedroom Executive apartments with the added benefit of: More space Larger main bedroom Wrap round large terrace surrounding the main bedroom and open plan living area	4 Adults	90 to 110

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments have 2 Deluxe Two Bedroom self-catering serviced apartments in The Icon. These apartments offer spectacular views over the Docklands, the Thames and out over the City from an extensive stone flagged terrace. The terrace wraps around the master bedroom and an open plan living area. The two apartments vary in size but are extremely spacious and offer a bright and airy living environment. Two Bedroom Deluxe apartments are decorated and furnished in exactly the same modern style and offer the same facilities and amenities as the Two Bedroom Executive apartments. Deluxe Two Bedroom apartments have the added benefit of more space, with a larger master bedroom, entrance hallway and living area. Both the bedroom and open-plan living area have floor to ceiling windows with doors leading out to an expansive terrace area which is not furnished.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

Vanet Apartments in The Icon have fully equipped kitchens with everything needed for self-catering. Guests wishing to purchase groceries can do so at a supermarket located just around the corner from the apartments. There is also a 24 hour supermarket located five minutes walk away, close to Crossharbour DLR station. Guests wishing to dine out have a choice of restaurants including Spanish and Lebanese, street cafés, takeaway snack bars and pubs located in Pepper Street, which is a two minute walk. Canary Wharf is a ten minute walk from the apartments and offers a vast choice of restaurants and bars. The O2 at Greenwich has many restaurants and bars under one roof and is just one stop from Canary Wharf underground station.

Bars

Bar Comments

There is a pub in Pepper Street which is a 5 minute walk from The Icon. Canary Wharf is a 10 minute walk and offers an extensive choice of pubs and wine bars. Pepper Street has an outlet selling wines, alcoholic beverages and spirits.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Wireless internet access is available in all Vanet Apartments in The Icon and is free of charge. An access code and password can be found in the apartment's information booklet.

In-Room Services

Wireless internet access.

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments in The Icon have Skype telephones with charges billed to the guest's account.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Cranley Comment

There are no facilities available for children in The Icon. Vanet Apartments in The Icon are part of a residential complex just a ten minute walk from Canary Wharf. The majority of guests staying in the apartments are business people because of the close proximity of City Airport, Canary Wharf business and financial district and ExCel.

Entertainment

Evening Activities

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments in The Icon are located just a 10 minute walk from Canary Wharf which offers a selection of bars, clubs, restaurants and a cinema complex. From Canary Wharf underground station, the O2 at Greenwich is just one stop and has a large concert venue, a smaller concert hall, cinema and many restaurants and bars all under one roof. The West End's theatres, bars, clubs and dining venues are easily reached by underground in 30 minutes from Canary Wharf Station.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	06:30 to 22:30
Description	TotalFit gym facilities in The Icon include: 3 x Running machines 3 x Cross trainers 2 x Upright bikes 1 x Recumbent bike 1 x Rowing machine 1 x Hamstring curl 1 x Chest press 1 x Shoulder press 1 x Back row 3 x Swiss balls 1 x Leg press 1 x Cable machine Free weights Spin area Water Towels (chargeable) Sauna (mixed) Jacuzzi Fitness pool Sunbed (chargeable) Separate ladies' and gents' changing rooms Showers Lockers Hairdryers Toilets
Size	250 square metres

Cranley Comment

TotalFit manage the fitness facility in The Icon and offer complimentary access to all guests staying in The Icon apartments. The fitness facility is located on ground level and can be accessed via the main entrance into The Icon building. The fitness facility consists of a reception area, spinning area, gym, mixed sauna, sunbed room (chargeable), one treatment room, separate changing facilities for men and women, a fitness pool and a Jacuzzi. The gym is extremely spacious and offers natural daylight through floor to ceiling windows looking out over the front area of the building. There is wooden parquet flooring throughout the gym area and floor to ceiling mirrors along two walls. Walking through the gym leads to an enclosed wet area with a sauna, Jacuzzi and small fitness pool. The fitness pool is not a swimming pool but is used as an exercise pool, swimming against high pressure underwater jets. Personal trainers are available at a charge and there are a number of courses available including pilates, yoga and belly dancing. Classes such as boxercise, ab attack and spin courses are also available.

Golf

Brocket Hall

Description

Brocket Hall Golf Club is part of the splendid 543 acre Brocket Hall Estate and was designed from the first to offer some of the best golf in the United Kingdom. The two Championship standard courses, the Melbourne and the Palmerston, are each named after the 19th Century Prime Ministers to whom Brocket Hall was home. Both courses are set within the contours of the Estate and provide a challenging and varied game for golfers of all abilities.

The Par 72 Melbourne Course designed by Peter Allis is set in the picturesque parkland surrounding the Hall and provides a rigorous and challenging test of golf. In contrast, the par 73 Palmerston Course designed by Donald Steel is over 7,000 yards from the back tees. Donald has sculptured many beautiful holes playing through the ancient woodlands with some very undulating fairways.

Location	68 km
Holes	36 Melbourne and Palmerston
Length/Par	Melbourne Par 72. 6,616 yards. Palmerston Par 73, 7,080

Facilities

Two 18 hole courses
Nick Faldo Gold School
Practice Facilities
Pro shop
PGA qualified tuition

The Grove

Description

The Grove golf course in Hertfordshire, is widely regarded as one of the finest new golf courses in Europe and recently hosted the World Golf Championships, American Express Championship 2007. 'The Grove is a 7,152 yard par 72 championship golf course, located just outside London, designed by the distinguished American architect Kyle Philips and is playable all year round. Built to USGA specification, with the latest A4 creeping bent grass for firm, fast putting surfaces. Following the slopes, ridges and mounds of the natural landscape the course also includes a continuous hidden cart path around all 18 holes, full length driving range, practice area and putting green. Visitors should note that metal spikes are not allowed.

Green fees range from £105 to £165 depending on the seasons.

Location	58
Holes	18
Length/Par	7,152 Par 72

Facilities

PGA Tuition
Practice Range
Restaurant

Spa

Name of Spa	Aspasía Beauty Treatments
Opening Times	Monday to Friday 12:00 to 20:00 Saturday & Sunday 11:00 to 17:00

Facilities

Facilities at Aspasía Beauty Treatments include:
1 x treatment room

Treatments include:
Facials
60 min Prescriptive Facial
60 min Soothing Facial
60 min Hydrating Facial
75 min Anti-acne Facial
75 min Anti-ageing Facial

Threading
Eyebrows
Lip/Chin
Cheeks
Neck/Forehead
Full face

Waxing
Full Leg
Full Leg & Bikini
Full Leg & High Bikini
Full Leg & Brazilian
Full Leg & Hollywood
Half Leg
Three Quarter Leg
Bikini
High Bikini
Brazilian
Hollywood
Underarm
Half Arm
Full Arm
Half Back
Full Back
Half Chest
Full Chest

Manicure/Pedicure
OPI Mini Manicure 20 min
OPI Replenishing Manicure 45 min
IPI Full Works Manicure 60 min
OPI Mini Pedicure 20 min
OPI Pedicure 60 min
Callus Remover Pedicure 70 min

Eyes
Eyelash Tinting
Eyebrow Tinting
Eyelash/Eyebrow Tinting
Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash In-fills
Eyelash Removal

Cranley Comment

Aspasía Beauty Treatments has one treatment room located off the gym area in the fitness facility at The Icon. Treatments are by appointment only and can be arranged at the fitness facility main reception desk. A range of Thalgo products are used for beauty treatments and are also available for puchase at the reception desk. Some of the treatments offered include threading, waxing, facials, manicure, pedicure and eyelash tinting.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

Entry into The Icon is on ground level with no steps. Guests in a wheelchair would need assistance to open the glass entry doors leading into reception. There are lifts in both tower blocks giving wheelchair users access to all floors and apartments.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Vanet Apartments have no specially adapted apartments in The Icon. Lifts lead to all floors which have marble floored passageways leading to all apartments and movement sensor lighting. The corridors are spacious and offer enough room for wheelchair maneouvrabiltiy. Most of the apartments offer enough space in both the living area and bedroom for wheelchair maneouvrability. However, the bathrooms would be too small for wheelchair access. All areas of the apartments are on one level, apart from Two Bedroom Deluxe apartments which have a step up to both terrace doors.

Restaurants & Catering

There are no restaurants or bars within the apartment building. Locally there are a variety of restaurants, cafés and takeaway outlets.

Recreation Facilities

There is a fitness facility which is accessible to wheelchair users, located on the ground floor of the building. All areas are on one level including the gym, changing rooms which have a disabled toilet facility, fitness pool and jacuzzi. The Aspasía Beauty Treatments room is located off the gym area and is too small for wheelchair maneouvrability.

Visual & Hearing Aids

There are no visual or hearing aid features in the apartment blocks.

Staff Assistance

These are self-catering apartments but there is a Concierge on duty 24 hours who would be able to offer some assistance if required.

Cranley Comment

Vanet Apartments in The Icon are not really suitable for mobility impaired guests. Since it is a self catering apartment block, there is very little assistance available for any help that may be required. Even though Vanet Apartments in The Icon are spacious, access into any of the bathrooms would be extremely difficult for a wheelchair user.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving

Cranley Comment

The Icon Apartments have recycling bins in the basement. Energy saving light bulbs are used throughout the building and there is movement sensory lighting along all corridors leading to the apartments.

Vanet Apartments The Icon, London, Report Details

2 August 2009 (First Review)

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