It would be hard to find a better located central London hotel than the excellent Amba Hotel in Marble Arch. But although the convenience factor is high, that’s certainly not all this hotel has going for it, as I found out on a recent stay.
Why We Love This Hotel
It’s hard to get away from the fabulous location (and trust me, you won’t want to!), but the facilities here are also great, with surprisingly spacious guest rooms for the center of such a large city and the service warm, welcoming and efficient.
Location
The hotel is literally about a minutes’ walk from Marble Arch underground station and lies on the Central Line. It’s a shopper’s paradise location as you overlook the buzzing Oxford Street or for respite from the city, Hyde Park is also on your doorstep.
Best Time To Visit
London is heavenly all year round; in the summer, Hyde Park comes to life with people soaking up the sunshine, but the Christmas lights that adorn Oxford Street are legendary. Spring and Autumn, you’ll have a somewhat calmer affair, but London truly is a city that never sleeps.
How To Get There
If you are arriving by rail, it’s really very easy to take the London Underground but if you would prefer a taxi, then London Victoria, Paddington, and Marylebone mainline stations are all around two miles away. From Heathrow Airport, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington which takes just 15 minutes. From Gatwick, you can take the Gatwick Express, which comes into Victoria and then either use the London Underground or jump in a taxi. The hotel is super accessible however you choose to arrive.
Style & Character
The Amba Hotel is housed in an art deco building above the shops of Oxford Street. Step inside, and you are greeted by a very friendly concierge desk and a separate desk where you can leave your luggage (which we gratefully made use of twice; it’s a very efficient service). An escalator whisks you to the large reception area which is contemporary, with funky lighting and is decorated in a stylish haze of greys and reds. The rooms stand out for their sheer size and are also modern and relaxing. The restaurant and bar nicely mirror the Art Deco aesthetic of the exterior.
Service & Facilities
Much has been done to ensure guests have a comfortable and relaxing stay; the Wi-Fi was fast and easy to log on to, there are USB ports by the bed, and the mini-bar was complimentary. There was even an electric socket right under the mirror, so rare in hotels and so very helpful when drying and styling your hair! It’s these little touches that make such a difference and make a hotel truly memorable. The hotel also has an impressive range of meeting and event spaces that we didn’t check out on our family break.
The service was exemplary from the effortless check-in, to the very friendly and efficient dining staff to the bartenders who were more than happy to have a giggle with our children.
Rooms
Apart from the wonderful space of the contemporary guest rooms, they are all very well equipped with flat-screen Smart TVs, rainfall showers, Nespresso machines, Wi-Fi, and complimentary minibars, all available in every room. There’s also 24/7 room service (you can even order from a special pizza menu); essential in a city that never sleeps! The beds themselves are fittingly huge and very comfortable. It was no surprise to discover that they are all Hypnos beds with a serious mattress topper, too.
There are Double and Twin Rooms and you can opt for Deluxe versions of both for that bit more space and a larger bed. Discerning guests will be very tempted by the Executive Suites with the separate sitting area which gives you that bit more space to spread out.
Best Rooms
Although the Executive Suites are outstanding, don’t overlook the Studio Apartments which are actually slightly larger and also have a very useful kitchenette which disguises as a cupboard when not in use! Ours even had a dishwasher as who wants to wash up when they’re away!
Food & Drink
The food was a surprising treat here, we expected to want to dine out as we were in central London but were delighted we’d made the decision to eat at The Grill, the hotel’s restaurant. The spacious, art deco-styled restaurant serves a range of classic steaks alongside seasonal dishes, sharing boards, and salads. My Goat’s Cheese Salad starter was quite simply divine, and the steaks were as beautifully cooked as we had hoped. The children’s menu was also very good and their Chocolate Cake was almost the same size as the adult desserts, ideal as there was some left over for their parents!
After dining, we moved to the bar next door, beautifully lit with a grand piano in the corner. It had the vibe of a classy speakeasy. Here the service was just as good as at dinner, the mood relaxed, and the drinks menu-wide. You can also dine in the bar for a more casual affair.
There is also a Deli where we had an afternoon snack and coffee. There’s space here to plug your laptop in and take full advantage of the free Wi-Fi or just relax on the sofa with a good book as we did. Come morning, head back to The Grill, who serve a freshly prepared full English and continental breakfast buffet. Don’t miss the omelette station where they create to your taste; the perfect start to another action-packed London day.
If you would like to book a stay at this or any other luxury hotel, contact our luxury travel concierge to get a quote before booking. We offer free upgrades, free breakfasts, deals and special benefits.
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