How does the Sea Containers London ‘Commuter Club’ hotel subscription work?

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

• Mark Janes says:

  14 May14 May 10:18

  At those higher tiers I’d consider renting a studio apartment instead. That way you get a more home-like environment, total flexibility, a place to cook and more capacity to store your stuff.

  • Londonsteve says:

    14 May14 May 10:52

    If you can find one that isn’t let within 30 minutes of going on the market, isn’t falling to bits with a vermin problem, doesn’t require a 3 year contract with a year of rent upfront, that doesn’t go to sealed bids after a viewing afternoon, and so on…. Sea Containers Hotel know exactly what they’re doing and why.

    • Chris W says:

      15 May15 May 10:14

      Yes the London rental market is tight right now but its not as dramatic as you make out. No-one is asking for a 3 year lease with a year upfront rent.

      These were all fairly predictable consequences of a major city during and after a global pandemic – people leave during the pandemic, and return afterwards. (just like the inflation)

      You could easily find a studio apartment for 2,500 per month.

      • Rob says:

        15 May15 May 11:48

        My 90 sqm 1 bed river view flat in Wapping, with balcony overlooking the Thames and a 15 second walk to the tube, is renting for just over £2k per month.

        Admittedly I could probably kick it up a bit but the tenants are nice people, I don’t need the money and they know I want it back in 2026 if my daughter goes to Uni in London.

• Bagoly says:

  14 May14 May 11:57

  Other than the ability to substitute people, and to the sister hotels, I agree that this doesn’t look to offer anything one couldn’t expect to negotiate at many places (including providers of serviced apartments)
  The fixed (or probably in practice, minimum) 12 months term is particularly limiting.
  I wonder to what extent it’s driven by Finance wanting to show committed cash coming in against which to borrow.

  I would see the logic much more at something more modest like a Staybridge – a kitchenette is key to reducing F&B cost.

  • Chrisasaurus says:

    14 May14 May 21:34

    Reducing both F&B cost and one’s waistline…

• MT says:

  14 May14 May 12:08

  While it works out cheaper in some ways, the fact you spend so many nights at a hotel, earn 0 points to use personally and no status anywhere it seems a pretty poor deal overall. Also generally you can find a decent hotel in London for £300 ish a night especially if combining Amex offers.

  While the hotel is decent, the fact it isn’t aligned to any group works very much against it, especially I would think in regards the HfP crowd.

• AirMax says:

  14 May14 May 12:46

  Interesting proposition and it would be nice to see competitor hotels doing something maybe cheaper.

  Granola bar though..

• Tom says:

  14 May14 May 13:01

  I already have a significantly better deal with the Bankside just around the corner. I get points, upgrades, late check out, exec lounge, breakfast, use of the gym/pool when I’m not staying.

  Sure, no Tom Dixon or M&G shampoo but it’s just for work.

• Alex says:

  14 May14 May 13:13

  As someone that is doing 2 nights/week in London I would be very keen to reduce accommodation costs.

  Do people have any pointers where to start and what kind of a deal I could possibly get?

  • Richie says:

    14 May14 May 13:36

    When nothing is happening at the ExCel centre, do the hotel prices aroind there fall? Would the DLR/ Elizabeth line trains be good for you?

    • tony says:

      14 May14 May 14:32

      @Richie yes, rates around Excel are very low most of the time, but the location can be awkward depending where you need to be in London. I put a high value on a convenient location.

      @Alex, I find a great starting point is the hotels view on google maps. Play around with that and you start to see patterns emerging. Obviously depending on budget you need to make a call. Not sure if 8 nights a month would be enough for most hotels to be bothered with. I flip between a bunch of high end City properties on midweek nights and haven’t paid more than £295 a night.

      • Richie says:

        14 May14 May 18:33

        There’s an Ibis Styles hotel across the road from Custom House Elizabeth Line station, you’d be in Central London very quickly from there.

        • Save East Coast Rewards says:

          14 May14 May 22:24

          The Ibis Styles is an asylum hotel currently. Which is a shame as it’s in a useful location. I usually stay at the Doubletree Excel when I need to be in that area

  • pauldb says:

    14 May14 May 17:04

    I’ve got 60+ nights booked up at the Hyatts in Stratford this year to earn Globalist, rarely more than £200/n and that’s a mix of Hyatt Prive ($100 F&B) or Flex w/ Breakfast. They haven’t shown any interest in a bespoke deal though. Not an inspiring location but convenient for amenities and the Central or Elizabeth Line, or Boris bikes!

• Andrew. says:

  14 May14 May 13:18

  That could be so much better if the breakfast option was a hot drink and a visit to a granola bar.

• Henry Young says:

  14 May14 May 14:59

  I have long thought that there is a gap in the market for a convergence between accommodation and storage.

  • tony says:

    14 May14 May 15:59

    Well Premier Inn are part way there as many properties seem to participate in a 3rd party luggage store scheme for £5 a day or so.

    I suspect the liability of trying to offer this as a bundled service makes it prohibitive, but PI rely on the 3rd party’s insurance.

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