One Hundred Hotel Alpha Stories by Watson Mark

Author:Watson Mark [Watson, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Picador
Published: 2015-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

Room 21, 1989

Extracts from Mike Swan’s notes, reviewing the Hotel Alpha for the second time:

SERVICE: Impeccable. Concierge knowledgeable + obliging. Bags taken to room by porter, who did not solicit tip with e.g. eyebrow-raising, coughs, comments about difficulty of making ends meet.

KETTLE BOIL TIME: 1 min 46 sec (six seconds down on last visit).

BATH AND SHOWER: Hot water plentiful and fast-flowing. Bath fill time approx. 5 mins from standing start.

LAVATORY FLUSH: Reliable.

BED COMFORT: 4/5. Mattress a shade on the firm side.

DECOR: Unobtrusive maritime theme, with blue-and-white-tiled bathroom, marine artworks etc. Incongruous print of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. Link to the theme: astronauts are modern-day circumnavigators? Other rooms – on inspection made possible by following housekeepers for approx. 45 minutes – respectively furnished in Turkish style with rugs, cushions on floor etc; New York-themed with cityscape images and bracingly contemporary feel; art-deco-styled; minimalist like Mediterranean villa, etc.

NOISE LEVELS: Acceptable; extra marks for absence of the usual unwanted music in lobby, lifts etc.

ROOM SERVICE: Delivery time 12 mins (afternoon); 16 mins (evening). Generally good fare. Egg (in afternoon order) slightly underdone and lamb (evening) a little tough. Range of wines available.

TO MENTION: Over the last few years, the Hotel Alpha has recovered from the tragic fire which destroyed part of its top floor and claimed the life of a guest in June 1984. That it has done so at all, let alone in such a manner as to stand once again near the summit of London’s hotels, is a glowing tribute to the work of everyone at this establishment, and especially the remarkable Howard and Sarah-Jane York.

THE MIKE SWAN GUIDE OVERALL SCORE (out of 100): 91.

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