What makes a hotel a good experience?
Is it a quiet room? A comfy bed? Nice staff? Cleanliness? Great service? Perhaps it’s all of the above.
I think the factor that sets the tone for a great hotel experience is on arrival. When I arrive at a hotel, and the reception experience is warm, friendly and kind, I feel instantly at home. It sets the mood for the whole stay.
When I arrived at London’s The Resident (Covent Garden), it was one of those “set the tone” moments for a 2-night stay. I received a lovely welcome from multiple staff who were generous with their time and answers to my questions. They were kind, helpful and happy for me to be there. I felt instantly at home.
The following is my review of a 2-night stay at The Resident.
Arrival
It really is the little things, isn’t it? My room had a sweet handwritten card with cute drawings on the inside and a heartfelt congratulations note for an anniversary celebration. It was a lovely touch and a memento to take home. I received a free bottle of wine and was invited to complimentary drinks in the lobby that night.
Hotel
This hotel felt clean, cosy and convenient. On entry, an automatic door opens as you enter the lobby, and keycard access is required to access the stairs and lift. I took the stairs most of the time and navigated my way around the hotel with ease. The hallways were clean and quiet.
Room
As I had booked the smallest room, I expected a tiny space. Yet, when I arrived, it felt large. Maybe it was the warm welcome at reception or seeing the sweet handwritten card in the corner of the room, but something just felt homely about this place.
I had a spacious bathroom with the added privacy of a thick heavy door, which was a nice change from the usual thin sliding doors I had seen in other hotels.
The bathroom included a range of Molton Brown toiletries—the shampoo and condition were fresh, clean and luxurious. I believe this British brand was even the official supplier to the Queen!
The bed was king-size and extremely comfortable. The pillows were soft, soothing and inviting. You can often tell by the first few moments of testing your new bed whether it will be a good night’s sleep, and I concur it was.
Noise
I would classify this hotel as quiet. While it wasn’t 100% noise-free—as there was some general light noise throughout the noise—I still slept very well, and any light noise wasn’t enough to keep me up. My room faced the street, but the windows were soundproof, and I never heard voices or noise from other rooms.
Location
Perhaps a bonus reason for loving this hotel was that it was next to a cold-pressed juice bar. Getting a bottle of celery or beetroot juice each morning is a great start to the day for me. There were many great places to eat—you don’t have to walk far to find a good meal. It’s easy to navigate your way around, and the hotel is located right off The Strand in Covent Garden—a prime location for first-time visitors in London and a great central spot for exploring the streets.
Service
The staff were friendly, polite and always greeted me with a hello or goodbye. I felt welcomed and at home. Anytime I asked for help, they were happy to assist.
Overall experience
It was a great experience and a memorable stay. Thanks to everyone who made the stay so wonderful. If you’re looking for a spot to stay in London, I recommend The Resident.
The Editing Eagle 