The HfP chat thread – Thursday 29th July

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• MarcB says:

  29 Jul29 July 17:28

  Visiting Edinburgh in September – which is preferable: Kimpton or Waldorf Astoria (or something else)?

  • Harry T says:

    29 Jul29 July 17:43

    Depends on budget and preferences.

  • Patrick Cold says:

    29 Jul29 July 17:44

    I use the WA regularly because of its location. It is a solid hotel, no more than that and no real WA wow factor tbh. Good breakfasts.

    • AL says:

      29 Jul29 July 17:47

      I love The Glasshouse – it’s a Marriott,. It’s a good location, has a great whisky bar (and honesty box!) and a good Scotch breakfast.

      • Harry T says:

        29 Jul29 July 17:57

        Having stayed at both the Sheraton and Glasshouse recently, I’d pick the Sheraton any day of the week.

        • Jonathan says:

          29 Jul29 July 20:12

          Would your opinion hold true if they didn’t keep giving you huge upgrades? 😉

        • Harry T says:

          29 Jul29 July 20:25

          @Jonathan yes, the Sheraton is just a better hotel with friendlier customer service IMO

      • Rory says:

        29 Jul29 July 22:41

        I actually 2nd The Glasshouse. If you don’t want traditional Scottish themed tiny rooms, the Glasshouse offers something a bit more modern, big rooms with Balconies and Terraces, and a super nice wee bar with Roof Garden.

    • John says:

      29 Jul29 July 18:07

      Have stayed only once there – was challenged about whether diamonds receive breakfast all 3 mornings, including be dragged to reception the last morning. Plus despite the reservation system, the pool was so busy as to be unusable.
      It was enough to make me opt for the Glasshouse next time, myself.

      • John says:

        29 Jul29 July 18:09

        This is re: the WA… sorry mentioned that only in my head, I guess

  • David says:

    29 Jul29 July 19:05

    I was underwhelmed by both tbh. Prefer the IC, but only stay junior suite and above (Ambassador too). Will all be down to personal preference.

    • BP says:

      29 Jul29 July 19:22

      Also prefer the IC Junior Suites. Really nice rooms. Kimpton is nice too but IC is a step above.

      • Jerry says:

        29 Jul29 July 19:30

        We’re staying at Prestonfield House in August. Very good reviews.

  • Mel T says:

    29 Jul29 July 20:39

    Also unexpectedly up there in August after thinking we wouldn’t make it, but budget can’t run to a junior suite for 4 nights, ( and no status) , so I’ll let you know what the Skyline suites at Ten Hill Place are like!

  • Peggerz says:

    30 Jul30 July 12:16

    Kimpton over WACaledonian. They’re only 2 mins walk from each other. IC George for the better rooms. Glasshouse has good reputation, traffic outside can be a problem. The new-ish Malmaison in the city centre (the other in Leith is a bit far probs) or try the apartments in the Grand in St Andrew Square. The Balmoral had deals on recently, but think they’ve dried up. Prestonfield lovely, but out of centre too.
    But re your question, I’d choose the Kimpton.

• tony says:

  29 Jul29 July 17:35

  Bit of a Public Service Announcement – the section of the NHS App where it stores your COVID certificate is struggling today. With that in mind, you might want to try and download the pdf sooner rather than later (if you haven’t already done so).

• Marie says:

  29 Jul29 July 18:08

  Assuming France flips back to amber what’s the deal with my unvaccinated teens ?

  • Peter K says:

    29 Jul29 July 18:58

    Depends if they are 18/19 or younger.

    • Marie says:

      29 Jul29 July 19:17

      13 and 15

      • Tony says:

        29 Jul29 July 20:15

        Just a pre departure test and a day 2 pcr on return.

• John says:

  29 Jul29 July 18:46

  Has anybody received an upgrade from deluxe to executive (with club lounge) at The Langham, London, using Amex Travel’s Fine Hotels & Resort promo?

  • Rory says:

    29 Jul29 July 22:43

    I tried at the Langham, but no success. Got a lovely big room, but no lounge access. It’s a big upgrade if you can snag it. Free flow Taittinger is rare for a club lounge!

• Andrew says:

  29 Jul29 July 19:01

  Looks like Bicester Village is joining Airtime with a 5% return. Should stack with the Avios rewards.

  Not sure if you’ll be able to register a Bicester Village Giftcard on Airtime – from memory they start with a 4 or 5.

• LS says:

  29 Jul29 July 19:19

  Just got contacted by TAP, having sent an email to their CEO regarding me being unable to use their gold status.
  They have said I will be contacted 2 weeks before the expiry of my status, offering me a ‘proposal’ similar to last year, where I have to buy miles or join the club thingy again for another year, and they will renew status.

  • LS says:

    29 Jul29 July 19:20

    This was gold obtained through status match

• BP says:

  29 Jul29 July 19:20

  Just read the actual Scottish legislation regarding Day 2 testing when returning from Amber countries. There’s no mention of booking test using the specified supplier, just that you must book a day 2 test. Using the specified supplier only appear on the Scottish Government advice and guidance pages so it appears using any UK approved supplier is fine.

  • BP says:

    29 Jul29 July 19:28

    (7) The requirements of this regulation are that—

    (a)the test is provided by a public provider,
    (b)it is a semi-quantitative test for the detection of coronavirus which targets a minimum of two distinguishable SARS-CoV-2 genes other than the S gene and performance reference controls.
    (8) In this regulation, “public provider” means a test provider who provides or administers a test under the National Health Service Act 2006(4), the National Health Services (Wales) Act 2006(5), the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978(6) or the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972(7).

    • BP says:

      29 Jul29 July 20:32

      Upon further reading it appear I was wrong. Only CTM is the “public provider”.

• Chrisasaurus says:

  29 Jul29 July 19:23

  But niche but anyone know the Crowne Plaza Solihull? King exec suite says it sleeps 3, presumably the sofa is a sofa bed but big is it? Would it sleep more than one child?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    29 Jul29 July 21:49

    It was a generous two seater sofa from what I recall. I’m sure two small children could use it.

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      30 Jul30 July 08:44

      Perfect, thanks

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