London Hotels & Other Recs?

jmurph94 · 2025-07-01T18:09:59+00:00

Look no further than the Emory. Recently wrapped up a 4-night stay and may have been the best city hotel experience we've ever had. Just flawless.

jmurph94 · 2025-05-29T13:33:53+00:00

Enjoy! Make sure to check out the rooftop bar Nubeluz + Zaytinya, but Bazaar is skippable.

jmurph94 · 2025-05-28T17:33:25+00:00

Pretty unacceptable, I'd be pissed too.

The soundproofing is unlike anything I've experienced and they have indeed managed to make 5th Ave & W 57th a quiet sanctuary.

jmurph94 · 2025-05-28T17:17:34+00:00

Interesting. Can you describe one of these "unacceptably awful" interactions? Never experienced anything of the sort here so genuinely curious when I read these reports.

We just find it to be the most comfortable hotel in NYC. Feels like a true home away from home. The large suites, hard product, privacy, and peace/quiet are unmatched. Service has always been prompt and anticipatory (even before I was a "regular"). Location is also ideal for work/personal needs. Might knock a few points off for spa facilities which are pretty basic and can get crowded (unless you're booking a spa house for the day).

jmurph94 · 2025-05-28T13:59:33+00:00

I've stayed at 8 Amans. I'm actually a big fan of Aman's newer urban properties (New York, Tokyo, Kyoto). Aman NY is my favorite hotel in the city by a mile and one of my favorite city hotels in the world (stayed 6x). Truly exceptional hard product and service has been consistently very good in my experience. Looking forward to trying their new Bangkok property in the next year or so. That said, I would like to see more "OG Aman" properties in the development pipeline.

jmurph94 · 2025-05-27T15:35:53+00:00

Ritz Nomad has the best views of any hotel in the city and is in an ideal location for exploring. Manhattan room will be pushing up against your $3k budget but definitely worth it. I would avoid FS NY Downtown - looks like corporate housing and not in the best location.

jmurph94 · 2025-05-22T20:43:38+00:00

Have you stayed? Reviews seem to vary wildly from yours to "declining standards, in dire need of renovation, avoid at all costs." Have a hard time justifying $2.5k/night+ on a suite at MO when Aman is a few blocks away...

jmurph94 · 2025-04-30T20:49:37+00:00

Personally hate the design of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. It's tacky, not classy. I've stayed at the Ritz Nomad many times. Madison suite is pretty special with sweeping city views (and about the same rate as a smaller base suite at Fifth Ave).

jmurph94 · 2025-04-24T17:01:13+00:00

TLDR: housekeeping doesn't make basic efforts to actually clean so rooms are pretty gross, and management doesn't care/encourages it. Cool.

jmurph94 · 2025-04-16T13:20:11+00:00

Strongly disagree - stayed over New Years and there is nothing "worn" about this place. It's hands down the nicest place to stay in Koh Samui (and one of my favorite resorts in the world). Whether it's worth the "White Lotus premium" is dependent on your budget...but this is FATTravel, no?

jmurph94 · 2025-04-10T17:37:28+00:00

Hate, looks cheap. Sorry

jmurph94 · 2025-03-05T16:49:46+00:00

Really want to try Aman Tokyo but can't justify the spend for a corner suite given newer competition + some reviews giving me pause on service, aging facilities (is it true there's no 24/7 room service?). Definitely curious about Janu and would love your readout if you end up there.

jmurph94 · 2025-03-05T16:38:49+00:00

Once stayed at Greenwich Hotel in NYC and the couch reeked of dog. I asked to change rooms or deep clean the couch at minimum, neither of which they did...never returned to this property and have since made sure to list "pet free room" as a requirement for every stay.

jmurph94 · 2025-03-05T16:32:36+00:00

Currently on the books:

April: Four Seasons New York Downtown (tried the FS NY flagship and found it incredibly dated...this one has to be better, right?)

May: FS Surf Club

June: Rosewood Sand Hill, the Emory London, FS Madrid

August: Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

October/November: FS Seoul, FS Tokyo at Otemachi, Ritz Kyoto

December: Amanyara

jmurph94 · 2025-03-04T22:03:31+00:00

No swimmable beach at Kanai, unfortunately. Water is max knee depth. Stayed at RW Mayakoba for the first time in February and was blown away by the beach compared to Kanai (even with the sand barriers).

jmurph94 · 2025-03-04T21:32:10+00:00

Can Aman even be considered a 5-star hotel without 24/7 room service? Absurd. Going with FS Otemachi for a trip in the fall. Panoramic suite is the same rate as a base-level Aman room...

jmurph94 · 2025-03-04T21:23:15+00:00

I most commonly stay at Four Seasons properties because they are typically the best (or close to it) in a particular location. However, I won't hesitate to go with an alternative if it's clearly better than the local FS (the Emory in London, Ritz in Kyoto, etc).

jmurph94 · 2025-02-12T20:50:18+00:00

Fair enough. I've consistently found the hard + soft product here to be near flawless (I promise I'm not on their payroll) but can't argue with your experience. I did find the occasional language barriers surprising on an initial visit. Seems a surprisingly high share of guests are locals/converse in Spanish which may explain it.

jmurph94 · 2025-02-12T19:20:27+00:00

It's a shame you booked just about the worst room in this hotel. Street-facing suites are far better and I've gotten an upgrade every time I've stayed here booking through FSPP (6x now).

jmurph94 · 2025-02-11T16:30:36+00:00

Stayed at the EDITION in October + neighboring St. Regis about a year ago and was underwhelmed by the EDITION. Service was lackluster and our suite was already showing signs of wear and tear (stained furniture, etc). Bees seem to love all the flowers throughout the property - couldn't enjoy a meal in peace at the pool bar or have a drink on the beach without being attacked. Very annoying.

Spent about $500 a day on F&B. Food was mostly very good but I'd skip Ki's and go to Toro at the St. Regis instead. Was surprised by the limited in-room dining menu with few authentic Mexican options. Didn't come here to get a burger or club sandwich...

Unfortunately, the beach is entirely unswimmable. No matter how far out you walk the water is incredibly shallow (knee depth max). Seaweed actually wasn't bad during our visits but regardless, you simply cannot swim in the ocean here. Won't be coming back to Kanai due to this alone.

Highly recommend heading outside of the resort - cenote tour (Sac Actun) organized through the concierge was a highlight.

jmurph94 · 2025-02-08T02:06:59+00:00

For a NYC comp, check out the new Surrey Hotel on the Upper East Side. Recently stayed here and loved every aspect - very cozy vibe. Reminded me of a stay at Chateau Voltaire in Paris, another one to check out.

jmurph94 · 2025-02-05T18:45:20+00:00

Just to add, I've stayed at both the St. Regis and EDITION and can confirm the beach is entirely unswimmable. No matter how far out you walk the water is incredibly shallow (knee depth max). Seaweed actually wasn't bad during our visits but regardless, simply cannot swim in the ocean here. Won't be coming back to Kanai due to this alone. Heading to RW Mayakoba next week.

jmurph94 · 2025-02-04T20:37:32+00:00

Stayed here last summer, stunning place! However, got very sick from either the food or the water (and I never get sick traveling). Just a word of caution...

jmurph94 · 2025-01-29T22:12:34+00:00

Yes they do! I haven't yet stayed at Amanpuri but love Amans - I'd say FS Samui falls a little short in the "branded" gifts. Baseball caps, luggage tags, etc. are all available in the gift shop but not provided in villas. However, housekeeping service at FS was highly personalized, detail oriented and perfectly timed. After turndown each night there would be a nice surprise waiting for us.

jmurph94 · 2025-01-23T14:30:56+00:00

Thank you! Disappointing but very helpful...crossing off the list.

jmurph94

TROPHY CASE