Meliá White House

“I recently stayed at the Meliá White House in London through a Costco Travel package. Overall, I had a good experience, and the service and location were definitely the highlights. From the moment we arrived, Wesam was great. He brought our luggage to our rooms, was very welcoming, and always checked to make sure we had everything we needed. One morning we had an early tour and breakfast had a long line, so he made sure we got to-go boxes to grab something for the road. We also met Prasanga on Wesam’s day off, and he was just as helpful. He stored our luggage while we waited for our airport ride, offered us beverages, and continued checking on us. Both deserve recognition for their excellent customer service. The location was extremely convenient. There’s literally a bus stop on the side of the hotel that takes you into central London, with the return stop right in front of the hotel. We were able to get to Piccadilly Circus for about $2.43 instead of paying for an Uber. The bus is also a great way to see more of London and get the local experience along the way. Just keep in mind that the buses we used weren’t air-conditioned, so they can get pretty warm during the summer. There’s also a Tesco about a 3–5 minute walk away, which is much cheaper for drinks and snacks than the hotel’s self-checkout shop downstairs. The hotel lobby has a nice, upscale feel. Breakfast was included with our package and had a huge selection of food and drinks. Definitely worth it, although some of the fruit could have been fresher. The rooms were clean and comfortable but smaller than what I’m used to in the U.S., which I understand is pretty normal in Europe. The beds were comfortable, the TV was large, and the bathroom and shower were nice. My biggest issue was the air conditioning. I actually changed rooms because the first wasn’t cooling well, only to find the second was about the same. The bathrooms also aren’t air-conditioned, so the room can get pretty warm and steamy after a shower. The hallways have more of an older European look, and the carpets could definitely use a deep cleaning or replacement. I did like the elevator system. You select your floor on a screen, and it tells you exactly which elevator to take. One minor issue was getting enough complimentary water in the room, although the staff eventually took care of it and provided larger bottles. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. The location, breakfast, and especially the service from Wesam and Prasanga made the experience. The room itself was decent, but the AC and a few other things could use improvement. I’d probably try a Marriott or another familiar brand next time just to compare, but I would still recommend the Meliá White House.”