Swissotel The Howard, London

Nice hotel in a great location. While it is not a 5 star hotel, it is certainly offers very comfortable accommodations. the temple tube stop is just across the street and makes getting around london oh so easy.

We found a rate of 99 pds per night which is great value for London.

The views from the river facing rooms are brilliant. But be aware that the rooms not on the river side have offices from the adjacent building peering into them.

We loved the location of The Howard. Arrived 11/11/03 for 5 nights.

Located across from the Thames were we walked to across Jubilee Bridge to the London Eye. The Temple Station (The Tube) entrance was a few steps away from Hotel. Could even purchase fruit, etc. at the market by the station. Also walking distance to Covent Gardens, Chinatown and the Theatre District.

We loved our room. Large, clean and very attractive. Heated towel racks in the bath. Unique coffee and tea maker in the room. Staff extremely helpful and courteous.

Only sour note: The Continental Breakfast was poor and extremely expensive. Unable to rate Hotel's other restaurants since we didn't eat there.

Would definitely stay there again. PG

We just returned from 6 nights in London. We spent the last 3 at The Howard. I really liked the room's decor and LOVED the soft beds with down pillows and comforter. I don't recall when I have slept better!!

The staff was polite, but not what I would call "caring" like the owner of the B&B we stayed at the previous nights---but then, this is a large hotel.

The location is near Fleet Street and Strand, which is a great location for good restaurants and theatre.

If a slightly impersonal touch from the staff is okay with you I would higly recommend the Howard.

I've just spent 6 nights at the Howard, on a business trip. To echo the other comments, the rooms are small for 5* standards, especially as I was there for almost a week. However, I was 'upgraded' to a river-view room so could see along the Thames. Plus points: the staff were helpful and friendly, although didn't get the promised early check-in as a Swiss Gold Card holder. The standard of furnishings high and food excellent. The 'proper' coffee maker is a nice touch, but I couldn't make it give me just hot water, which was a shame. Downside: the bathroom fairly small and the shower head had been put right in the corner - impossible to stand under and washing hair without banging elbows on hard, tiled walls, impossible!

All in all, I'd stay again, but only in the more spacious deluxe rooms - I'd forfeit the view for extra room to put my belongings!

I agree with the other comments below, it's a 5-star hotel. The only improvement could be at the front desk. It didn't feel 5-star when I checked in. It's very expensive so ask for a Riverview room. Otherwise, it's not worth it.

Spent 3 nights there Sept 03at the beginning of our London/France trip and enoyed it so much, we booked another night just before flying out.

On the bank of the Thames, this smart and stylish hotel recently renovated artfully blends classical touches with modern decor. Although popular with the business crowd, this is a great tourist hotel. Cozy, contemporary rooms are a bit on the small side, but not a problem.The French-Asian menu at the restaurant was fabulous! Staff were very helpful, except for a 'fill-in' concierge one day who was, frankly, useless. The doorman though was very cool and sent us to the chic and delicious Zuma, a Japanese restaurant close to Harrods. A few tips to make your stay memorable: Book a "Riverview" room to have clear views of the London Eye and the towers of Westminster through the large picture windows. This is best appreciated from about the fourth floor.

The bed in our first room faced west so you could lay in bed and still see it all. Higher rooms you have to be standing to see it all.

HOWEVER,there are west corner rooms with windows facing on the river AND to the west.(I believe they are 419, 519, 619 etc)Across from the Temple tube stop, and only about a 10 minute walk to Covent Garden and many theatres. It's now our favorite London hotel after 6 trips there.

This swiss hotel is a nice hotel, don't get me wrong. the wrong is modern, the bathroom is very nice with granite floors, walls etc.

However, the room is adequate size. Your room view is nothing to go crazy about. You are basically on a street by the Thames. I was dissapointed in a few things. The concierge could not recommend a restaurant for us after a show. He pointed to the map and brushed us off. I asked him several times for one recommendation and he could not do it. I asked to be moved to a higher floor for a better view and they said they would call us back in five minutes but no one did. All in all.......it made no difference because london is awesome and the hotel is sharp and clean. But, this is NOT a five star hotel. Maybe i am too used to us standards but i can imagine paying less and getting the same.

jb

A truly 5 star hotel. Staff really welcomes you. Guests are usually on business because the hotel is near the courts of law. The hotel is situated near Covent Garden and all the theatres. It is across the street from the Thames river and tube station Temple. The hotel is really quiet with no road noise, even the lifts are silent. No tour traffic here. The rooms and bath are large. The expresso machine gives a nice touch. Would definitely stay here again. It is run by the Raffles group.

Location is great. Across the street is the Temple Tube Station. One problem - Temple station is closed on Sundays. Cross one more street and you are walking on the river side promenade. The standard rooms are on the small side for a 5 star hotel. Get a River View Room on the 5th floor or higher and take fabulous twilight or night shots of the London Eye, Big Ben on the right and the Tower Bridge on the left. Telephoto and tripod required but you can boast that the postcard type pictures were taken from your bedroom window.The staff was excellent. The continental breakfast buffet that comes with a travel package is quality but is prohibitively expensive if you have to pay for it separately. I traveled with my wife and 12 yr old daughter. A few times, my daughter was not too excited with the breakfast but the waiter was able to surprise my daughter with a simple french toast (then not on the menu).Because of its unique river location, there were not too many eating places within one block. It is not a busy street.

We needed to walk about ten minutes to a busier area with eating establishments. Or we just took the tube and got off on the next stop.We stayed there for one week the summer of 2001.

To celebrate our three year aniversary I booked a night at the Swissotel Howard on the bank of the River Thames. A fantastic place to stay. The rooms have just been updated and contain everything you need from powerful air con to a funky coffee machine. Make sure you book a river view room at the front, the rooms at the back overlook an office block! Also ask for a high floor so you can see the River Thames over the tops of the trees! The staff were superb and the service was discreet whilst being incredibly attentive. Definitely recommend staying here.