Stayed for two nights over weekend in the newly refurbished Buckingham Wing (therefore not sure re rooms elsewhere). Booked online and wanted to check specific arrangments for my and parents rooms in advance so also contacted by telephone.

Both experiences satisfactory and direct contact was the first example of very helpful staff.

On arrival clear that the location is excellent, adjacent to Charing Cross station very central; useful for train and taxis outside. Notwithstanding its busy external location once you enter the hotel the atmosphere is instantly relaxed and quite.

Check in staff very helpful re arrangements (Yvette? sorry think def began with Y). This was also the case when contacting reception with enquiries.

Rooms were very nice and rooms in this wing are across corridor (over street) into slightly separate but not far too away building (basically just down corridor from restaurant, dont wnat this to sound like your somewhere else!) but it does mean it was nice and quiet.

Bathrooms and amenities in rooms generally very good; iron and board / hairdryers etc all in rooms themselves (didnt try minibar). Clearly benefitting from recent re-furb. One, and probably the only issue was that the heating in the rooms (ours and other room) could not cope with what was a cold weekend. Even left on they struggled to reach a particularly comfortable level. In context it wasn't like were sitting in coats but nor really able to take off jumper, and it was very cold outside.

The general areas of the hotel are very welcoming and as has been said elsewhere (both in positive and negative context though I dont understand the latter) of early evening the corridor lighting reduces to more mood feel and floors and stairs are lit with tealights (nb these are battery, sorry to spoil effect but helps to not be worried about H&Safety :-) I personally thought this made moving around a calm and welcoming experience accentuating fact you'd stepped out of the hustle and bustle.

Problem with one electronic key (not unusual) and when popped to reception was sorted but staff also indicated if any further issue to use one of the corridor phones and they'd send someone straight up. Again staff very helpful.

Stayed for evening meal ome night; this is not cheap and wine at lowest end will run I think about £25 is and up. Having said that for London and surroundings the actual food prices aren't exorbitant. Service in restaurant was very good.

Breakfast generally seemed very busy but for all that the service was excellent (thanks to Erkan and all breakfast staff working constantly to serve and clear). Breakfast range itself was good and again service for coffee / tea and toast whilst self serving the rest was great thanks.

Busy at check out but again large hotel, concierge happy to take our keys (pre charged on card so nothing to deal with).

Overall not exactly cheap in price at around £150 ish but you are staying somewhere clearly very welcoming, nicely appointed and in our experience with very good service levels. Very happy with it and (when not going budget) would definitely stay again.