MiNC Notting Hill Suites

Booked the one bedroom two months in advance and arrived to hear that I had a studio in the basement. I felt like I had been taken advantage of and complained since I had pre-paid for the "One" bedroom. They did switch me to another room that day on the upper floor, but it was still a studio and so small that it was difficult to find a place for my suitcase. I complained again and was given a marginally larger studio. 3 room changes within 24 hours. The shower situation leaves a bit to be desired as the entire bathroom becomes the shower; water sprays everywhere and flowed under the bathroom door. All three rooms I stayed in (I was only there 4 nights) were very hot, I was able to turn the radiators off and managed to get the windows open, but come on, this is advertised as a 5-star hotel. It isn't advertised at all on the st. make sure you go in #10 on the address. There is a code at the front door as well that changed without notice during my stay. This is a 3-star place at best, but I'm giving it a 1 overall due to the shady manner in which I was treated with the "one" bedroom, switching rooms 3 times in 4 nights, and being made to feel like I was a pain to them. I paid for it so you work for me. If you have issues with the "studio switch," simply hang out in the hallway complaining to them as the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. Use tact and diplomacy to get an upgrade (or should I say what you paid for in the first place), but be persistent as they will not want to accommodate you at first. When they realize that you are not going to leave them alone, they will crumble and give in finally just to get rid of you. It was clean, and the location near the Tube Station was prime, however the whole experience left me feeling cheated and I will never stay there again.

This Suite is not a real hotel with room service, but rather a Boarding House where you can rent a fully furnished appartement / studio for a short time (starting with 2 nights).

Though the bed is not made daily, the towels are only changed on request and for a little extra charge more often than a week, the appartement is only cleaned once a week (and of course if the occupancy changes) and there is no room service or extensive personell, but the money saved on employees is invested wisely in spectacular location, great furniture and everything you'd wish for, including free broadband internet, digital tv and even a video doorbell.

The fact that there are many good restaurants (e.g. Sushi, Steakhouse), supermarkets (Tesco, M&S), cafés (Starbucks, Pret), fast food outlets (Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Kebab) and ATMs (Santander, Barclay) withhin a 1-5 minute's walk range, the next tube station is within a 2 minute walk (Notting Hill Gate).

If you don't fancy mile earning, chain hotels, can live without room service and a concierge and spend more than 2 nights, the place might be worth checking out.

I'll for sure come back or consider staying at their other places, e.g. next time I'm in Dubai.