Arrived at midnight from Heathrow on Oct 14, 2004. Hotel staff was alert, friendly and accomodating. When I booked the room with the Thistle 800 number they could not reserve a room with a Thames River view. This was accomplished with no problem on check in. I was aware that there was a L 20 premium for the rooms on the Thames side and this is what was quoted on check in. We were offered the choice of a non-smoking floor, which we took, even though advised that the smoking room was higher up and had a better view. However, when we got to our room and looked out of the window the view was truly spectacular. We could see the lit up Eye of London, OXO Tower, Millenium Bridge and other sights. I don't know what could have been better.

The staff responded promptly, cheerfully and politely to our every request: extra towels, turn off the heat (open the windows), arange a taxi, etc. The included full English breakfast was excellent, alhtough some of the choices were not what an American would think of as breakfast food (baked beans). There was a wide variety of choices and all were tasty.

The location was the best. Right near all of the sight seeing spots and/or the tube system to get to others now within convenient walking distance.

I would stay there again and recomend this hotel to anyone who asks. The river view side is well worth the extra charge.

I am of 2 minds about the RH. Beautiful hotel, polite enough staff, helpful concierge--but I can't help feeling that we went to a fine restaurant and were given a table by the kitchen. I purposefully booked through the hotel's own website, and not from a discount or room consolidator, only to find out down the line that I had some sort of "super-saver" rate anyway, which can often mean one step up from a cot in the basement. The website plainly stated breakfast included, but the confirmation notice said "Room Only"...Their error, so eventually they did cough up Continental breakfast. There's a little game they play at check-in--They assign you a room in a section undergoing refurbishment, and hint that for a little extra dough you can get the room you thought you had booked in the first place. So after a 20 Pound (per night) bribe, my "deluxe" room became a "deluxe" room with a river view. Actually, it's more like a river "glimpse", from the bottem floor, blocked by trees, with a balcony full of rubbish and French doors that can't be opened. And no working phone, no top sheet on the bed--my wife noted, it's almost as if the room wasn't intended to be occupied. Personally, I just think it was a second-class room intended for what they considered to be "second-class people". The impression was that unless you're wealthy, important and well-connected, you're going to feel--and be treated--like an outsider, someone trying to live "above their station". And God help you if you choose to pay the balance in cash (or worse yet--gasp--travelers' checks). Even though I paid in full, in advance, I felt as if I'd offered to pay in buffalo teeth or something, because I didn't whip out my VIP Diamond Platinum Plus card or whatever. I guess that's why they never turned the phone on, because I couldn't be trusted not to run up extra charges...? This critique may sound a bit overly harsh, since all and all we did have a (reasonably) enjoyable stay...It's just that there are hotels where guests are welcomed, and then there are hotels where guests are "admitted". Maybe it's just that when you make it a point to speak softly, be polite, tip well, and dress for breakfast and dinner (amidst a sea of dirty sneakers and t-shirts) you just expect a bit better.

The hotel was great. We stayed there at the start of September for 3 nights for our honeymoon. They upgraded us to a deluxe suite as we were on our honeymoon. We could not fault the hotel at all, apart from the works that was going on, on the outside of the building, which spolied views etc, as there was scaffolding up, but we were out most of the time, so it didn't ruin the honeymoon. Great location, close to all attractions. Highly recommend.

At least the person from Alabama had a view. In July 2004 one whole side of this hotel was covcered with plastic sheeting/scaffolding, so we could not open the windows or have any view. Too bad. If they had told us this, or asked if we wanted a riverview, i would have a better feel about the place. Otherwise, service was fine.