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Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel now bookable with IHG Rewards Club points

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The Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel in Russell Square is now bookable via ihg.com.  This includes reward nights, which are pricing up at 70,000 IHG Rewards Club points.

The hotel website has launched and is here.

This hotel was briefly known as Principal London before IHG bought Principal Hotels.  It was the Hotel Russell before that but bears no resemblance to those days.

Before it reopened as Principal London, the hotel underwent one of the most expensive and thorough refurbishments ever seen in London.  At £85 million, it cost more than the refurbishment of the InterContinental Park Lane a few years ago – and that involved adding an extra floor.  Whilst I haven’t seen the rooms, I am tempted to bet that this is now the best IHG Rewards Club hotel option in London.

IHG clearly agrees at 70,000 points per night.  Given that rates start at £350 for random midweek dates this Autumn, that is fair.  That said, remember that the InterContinental at the O2 is only 45,000 points per night and is a very pleasant hotel indeed – see my InterContinental O2 review here.

Elite members of IHG Rewards Club receive a $15 equivalent minibar credit, as they do at all Kimpton properties ($10-$15 depending on hotel).  All guests, with or without status, can also join in the nightly one hour wine reception which is another signature Kimpton feature.

Get 10,000 bonus IHG Rewards Club points

As an opening offer, IHG is offering 10,000 bonus IHG Rewards Club points if you book for two nights or more.

You need to book via this link.  You need to book and stay before 31st March 2019, stay at least two nights and book via the promotional page.  I am guessing that the bonus points do not count towards IHG status.

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IHG One Rewards news

IHG One Rewards update – April 2025:

Get bonus points: IHG is not currently running a global promotion.

New to IHG One Rewards?  Read our overview of IHG One Rewards here and our article on points expiry rules here. Our article on ‘What are IHG One Rewards points worth?’ is here.

Buy points: If you need additional IHG One Rewards points, you can buy them here.

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from IHG and the other major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

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Comments (150)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Shoestring says:
    25 Oct25 October 04:23

    My Motto is: Never look back

  • TGLoyalty says:
    25 Oct25 October 05:04

    Looking at the 10,000 bonus rate it’s the same as best flex but the stay becomes non refundable so you are paying for the 10k points.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      25 Oct25 October 05:05

      Advanced saver which has the same terms as the 10k bonus rate is c£20 a night cheaper

    • BJ says:
      25 Oct25 October 06:31

      Despite this, the bonus points could sometimes be worth more than they cost in terms of status or say a PB redemption although the latter is increasingly wishful thinking.

  • Adey says:
    25 Oct25 October 05:24

    Better be quick if you want the bonus points. From the website “Opening offer of 10,000 IHG® Rewards Club points is limited to the first 675 bookings. Minimum 2 night stay or more in an Urban Double Room (or higher grade room) at the Kimpton Fitzroy London”

    • Adey says:
      25 Oct25 October 05:36

      Also, there is a 46GBP difference between the 10,000pt rate and the ‘advance saver rate’ for the dates I checked (very similar, non refundable, booking conditions), ‘advance saver rate’ the cheaper.

      • Judge says:
        25 Oct25 October 07:24

        Yes, the 10,000 point bonus is a bit of a joke. No idea why it is limited to 675 people, as they are paying through the nose.

    • Lady London says:
      25 Oct25 October 09:49

      How are we supposed to know if our booking is in the first 675 and will earn the bonus then? I’d put this promised bonus in the same bin as any ‘early checking subject to availability’ promise. This kind of caveat actually puts me off booking. Either you offer the benefit, or you don’t.

  • BJ says:
    25 Oct25 October 06:34

    OT: Seems like Rob forgot to remind us to play 29 ways today…new hire needed soon 🙂

    • Brighton Belle says:
      25 Oct25 October 07:31

      Yes Errr, played today. Got all the answers.
      System message = Error Occured.
      No possibility to replay today. You already played
      Unimpressed by software testing.

    • Rob says:
      25 Oct25 October 08:01

      I’m waiting until I start winning again!

  • Genghis says:
    25 Oct25 October 07:27

    I thought Kimpton Raid the Bar credit was $10 ($15 in New York)?

  • Tony says:
    25 Oct25 October 08:00

    Big fan of that Hilton concept – wonder if it’s a reaction to Air BnB and their ilk being such an easy choice especially for family groups, when all too many hotels can’t give a monkey’s when it comes to assigning interconnecting rooms???

    (Ironically, i’ve found Hilton more accommodating than most when it comes to sorting/guaranteeing connecting rooms)

    • Mike says:
      25 Oct25 October 08:35

      Seems a very clever half way house between a hostel, a hotel and air bnb. Marylebone seems an interesting choice for the location.

      • Simon says:
        25 Oct25 October 10:11

        Agree, was wondering if anyone knew of anything similar already on the market?

  • Bonglim says:
    25 Oct25 October 08:14

    O/T
    Will be travelling BA first for the first time. Does anyone have any particular food choice favourites. My choices are:
    – Seared Fillet of Beef
    – Lobster Thermidor
    – Chicken Leek and Ham Hock Pie
    – Puy Lentil and Orzo Ragu with Crotin de Chavignol
    – salad of maple cornfed chicken

    Too much choice!

    • Kipto says:
      25 Oct25 October 09:30

      Can you choose in advance of travel like club world or select on the flight ?

      • Whizz68 says:
        25 Oct25 October 09:36

        Normally you are able to select meals 28 days in advance on the BA website, you LHR outbound flights.

      • Genghis says:
        25 Oct25 October 09:37

        Yes, in advance on outbound on selected sectors within 28 days IIRC.

        My last few beefs have been decent.

        • BJ says:
          25 Oct25 October 09:59

          Always found that odd. Plane food is generally bad IME except the steak, I have found that they are often better than I’ve had in many restaurants.

        • Bonglim says:
          25 Oct25 October 11:34

          Thanks for your advice everyone – I think i’ll go for the beef. I did think that looked lovely, but had heard one person suggested staying away from the beef – I think he meant economy beef.

          And yes – you have the choice of saying which meal you want (and when you want it) before the flight, or just deciding on the plane. I think if you decide beforehand it means that they will definitely have your choice; otherwise they might run out.

          Thanks again.

    • Stu N says:
      25 Oct25 October 09:48

      I wouldn’t go for anything too “fancy” – tend to stick to things that you can pack with flavour via sauces. Beef is always very hit and miss (mostly miss) and I’d be amazed if they could do a decent lobster in the air. The pie, lentil or salad should be decent. If you have a strong preference then definitely pre-order.

    • BJ says:
      25 Oct25 October 10:07

      I have found that safest choice for in-flight meals is beef. Probably because tgere is a bigger margin in cooking time that most of us would consider acceptable. Had too many pink chickens (I’m sure it is safe even if it looks worrying) and too many dry fish to inspire confidence. So far my favourite plane food is curry on Sri Lanka and reindeer on Finnair.

    • Anna says:
      25 Oct25 October 11:04

      I’ve got my first F next year, do you think they will let me have the beef AND the lobster?!

      • Anna says:
        25 Oct25 October 11:06

        Also slightly worried that the OH and I have the only reserved seats in the cabin (apart from 1A and K so I suppose someone may have those by now). If there are very few in the cabin do they still let you in there or move you to CW?

        • Genghis says:
          25 Oct25 October 11:15

          Only one meal per person. You can ask after every has been served. Why you worrying? Perfectly normal

        • Jill (Kinkell) says:
          25 Oct25 October 12:36

          I’ve been on an F flight to Rio and there were just 4 of us in the cabin.

        • Bonglim says:
          25 Oct25 October 13:27

          I am in a similar position – lots of seat choice available. I suspect it is because not that many first tickets sold, rather than people have booked in first but not yet selected a seat.

          Still no reward availability though. Is it because they want a last minute flyer with unlimited money (or someone else paying) to pay the full whack price (it is £4k at the moment)? Rather than having the option of a redemption flight? London-Houston is a very business led route – so suspect there might be the occasional last minute business ticket in first.

        • Bagoly says:
          25 Oct25 October 13:45

          On my last two (avios) flights in F, seats occupied were 3 of 14, and 1 of 14 !
          For the latter, the cash price the day before was less than J.

      • Stu N says:
        25 Oct25 October 13:23

        F will run unless they (very exceptionally) swap to a 3 class aircraft. The seat map isn’t a great guide to occupancy, apparently a fairly high proportion of people don’t reserve seats ahead although to do so is still free in F. 1A and 1K are only available to Golds so will show as unavailable to everyone else, whether occupied or not. Bassinet seat (4F, usually) is also often blocked in case someone with a squaker (sorry, Little Darling) needs it.

        If you want reassurance, we have a F trip booked for in March; outbound we are the only our 2 seats occupied; very unusually on the inbound 9/14 are taken already.

    • Alex says:
      25 Oct25 October 14:07

      humble brag detected! 😉

  • BJ says:
    25 Oct25 October 08:24

    OT: Nectar so may be targeted. LNER and Virgin Trains 1000 bonus points. 7x points on other rail partners including Great Western and South Western.

    • Gavin says:
      25 Oct25 October 12:44

      On my nectar too – 2 x child fare Edinburgh Waverley – Haymarket booked for tomorrow, one on LNER, one on Virgin. Should be £20 of Nectar points for £2.40 if they come in time for double up. Took a while to find train times not operated by Scotrail but got there in the end.

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:
        25 Oct25 October 13:19

        I’ve not seen the T&Cs for this Nectar promotion but sometimes I’ve seen bookings with only child fares excluded (presumably to stop people buying the cheapest fare over £1 that would trigger the bonus).

        You can also get the same fare as the child fare by selecting ‘Jobcentre Plus discount card’ as the railcard.

        Remember if you’re using the Edinburgh-Haymarket trick to trigger a Nectar bonus you must select a train operated by the correct operator. On the LNER website the LNER trains are clearly displayed, on the Virgin Trains website I think you need to click to see more details.

        • gavin says:
          25 Oct25 October 15:06

          Ts and Cs make no reference to child tickets. I have definitely picked LNER, the 2017 departure from Edinburgh is a LNER train.

        • Genghis says:
          25 Oct25 October 15:07

          I’ve done this many times with kids tickets. You’ll be fine.

        • BJ says:
          25 Oct25 October 19:31

          Anybody know if we actually need to collect tickets from station if that is the delivery option? In the past I have had no problems to pick them up as been in station anyway but tomorrow I have no other need to go there.

        • Genghis says:
          25 Oct25 October 19:45

          I have always collected the tickets but usually from Cannon Street.

        • BJ says:
          25 Oct25 October 21:22

          @Genghis, I think I’ll chance it this time to check if points post without collection. Not a big loss if they don’t.

        • Gavin says:
          26 Oct26 October 07:40

          I’ve never collected the tickets before

        • BJ says:
          26 Oct26 October 11:14

          Good to hear Gavin because I haven’t collected mine today.

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