Introduction
The Sofitel St. James is located on Waterloo Place, just off Piccadilly Circus and halfway to Trafalgar Square. The location is brilliant for the Westend. The hotel is still decked out in Christmas decorations when I arrive, so it’s looking rather festive.
Upgrade to a Luxury Room
I’ve booked a superior room, which the app tells me is quite small at 26 square metres. However, when I check in, I am informed that I’ve been upgraded to a slightly larger Luxury Room of 36 square metres on the fourth floor.
Even the doors to the rooms have been decorated with little festive bows.
The door opens into a short hall with the wardrobe on the left. There’s plenty of storage space. Opposite the inbuilt wardrobe is the door to the bathroom.
The bed is large and spacious. It’s also very uncomfortable. It sags in the middle and the lumpy bits have me wondering where I might get a lumbar realignment at short notice while I’m here in London.
Something about the credenza and the decorations on the wall ring a bell. It takes me a moment to realise that I’ve actually seen some of them before at the SO/Paris near the Opera de la Bastille.
The coffee machine is a classic Nespresso, and there are four original Nespresso capsules that are replenished with the turn down service. There’s also a SMEG water kettle. As a seasonal gift, they’ve also left a plate of Christmas biscuits.
The bathroom is spacious and has both a bath and a separate shower. The pressure in the shower is great, and there is no flooding at all when I have a shower. The toiletries are by Diptyque of Paris, which is the same brand of cosmetics they provide in Qatar Airways Business Class.
As a welcome gift the hotel has also sent up a bowl of fresh fruit.
Breakfast at Bistrot
The breakfast is served at Bistrot. The regular buffet breakfast is £29. Alternatively, there is the full breakfast for £38 which also includes the buffet in addition to the items from the hot menu.
Quite frankly, the breakfast is a bit of a let down and honestly not worth the price. The food is bland to the point of being tasteless and the service is… meh. When eventually a waiter appears to remove the plates, even he comments that it’s about time they were removed.
Conclusion
The room at the Sofitel St. James was nice enough and the staff at reception and the concierge were friendly. All in all though, I think it’s overpriced for what you get. However, that seems to be a general problem with hotels in London. As a rule, you pay through the nose, but what you get for your money is quite limited. The food at Bistrot was simply not good, though. It was very bland and the service left much to be desired.
They really do take their X-mas decorations seriously in London…
While the bathroom and the rest of the hotel look nice, the room itself seems a bit old-fashioned and outdated and definitely needs a refresh.
Yes. There’s something off about that hotel. Which is a shame because the location is excellent!
If your’e still in London—— where to for afternoon tea? I think you have 2 choices,1 being far more ‘touristy’ than the other—— both overpriced!. I’d go for the more refined set up at Claridges. or you could join the crowds at the Ritz——– both of which will be at least £75——- worth it ?—— not sure.
Hi Peter, I’ve got Claridges on the radar. So how is the Ritz less refined?
Hi William——– its full of Tourists doing ‘Afternoon tea’!——- somewhere else thats good,Browns in Albemarle Street.
£38—— for that ‘hot breakfast’is absurd.
That’s what I thought. Should have gone to the Wolsley next door.
The Wolsley’s great!
Ok. Booked for later this year!