Le Meridien Piccadilly

Le Meridien Piccadilly occupies a gorgeous building constructed in 1908, with a colonnade exterior. Originally the Piccadilly Hotel, the property has public spaces that retain their original features -- only the Oak Room, now used as a function venue, has not been extensively restored. The impressive entrance hall has intricate details on its white stone walls, and checkered marble flooring. Elsewhere, classic features combine with more modern design --  geometric-designed carpets, for example, complement the lobby's black wrought-iron balconies and high-ceilings. The intimate club lounge has high white tables and padded stools in a shade of red that punctuates much of the decor. Even the pool makes the most of its period decor, with high ceilings, stone pillars, and large curved internal windows. The Terrace Grill & Bar (once an open-air pool) is a warm, airy venue set partly in a glass atrium that looks right onto Piccadilly.

London hotels don't come much more central than Le Meridien Piccadilly, which is right in the heart of the West End. Set on busy Piccadilly, with Regent Street behind it, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the Piccadilly Circus tube station. The Piccadilly Theatre is three minutes away on foot, Leicester Square is a six-minute walk away, and the National Gallery is a nine-minute walk, a three-minute drive, or a four-minute ride on public transportation. It’s a six-minute tube ride to Covent Garden, and an 11-minute tube ride to Buckingham Palace; both take around 14 minutes to reach on foot, or around six minutes by car. Oxford Street is an 11-minute walk, a four-minute tube ride, or a five-minute drive away, while it’s a 13-minute walk to Mayfair, or a 10-minute trip on public transportation, four minutes by car. Big Ben, Bond Street, and the London Eye are all within 10 minutes of the hotel, either by public transportation or taxi. The closest airport is London City, a 29-minute drive or 39-minute trip on public transportation. Heathrow Airport is 32 minutes away, by car or public transportation, and Gatwick Airport is 46 minutes away on public transportation or about an hour in a taxi.

In contrast to the striking public areas, the 280 rooms at Le Meridien Piccadilly look neglected and below the standard of a luxury property. They're undeniably dated, and guests complain about subpar maintenance and housekeeping. When we visited in January 2016, some were undergoing renovation. For now, framed black-and-white prints adorn gray walls, complemented by dated, often clashing wood furniture, and old-fashioned gray-patterned carpeting. Flat-screen TVs have trailing wires, but the small; bright-red armchairs look out of place. Some rooms have larger windows than others, but they're framed by old-fashioned curtains and lack balconies. The overall effect is dark. Views range from pleasant Regent Street to unattractive office blocks. Club and Deluxe Rooms, while larger, feel sparse; Family Rooms have two double beds and can sleep up to four. Junior Suites have connected living spaces a couple of steps down from the elevated bedroom, the way marked by dated dark wood banisters. Executive Suites have separate living rooms, with mismatched red armchairs, glass-topped dark-wood coffee tables, gray sofas, and black-and-white floral design padded chairs and a mahogany dining table. Ceilings are beautifully ornate.

Like the rooms, bathrooms are dated, with dingy-looking cream tiles, and shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads, although some have additional power showerheads. All rooms have air-conditioning with basic controls, free basic Wi-Fi, minibars with free water, and coffee- and tea-making facilities; microwaves are available on request. There are safes, slippers, robes, and basic toiletries, plus irons, ironing boards, and a turndown service. Connecting rooms are available, but single-glazed windows mean some rooms are noisy. Reaching many rooms involves navigating steps, which could prove a challenge for guests with limited mobility.

Le Meridien has several impressive features: Its heated indoor pool is the largest in central London, and there’s a pleasant steam room and a hair salon. There’s a simple multi-sports room, but the gym is small and has little more than a few cardio machines. Breakfast is included for guests staying in Club Rooms and Suites, and is served in the Club Lounge, which also serves free drinks and snacks, and has PCs and printers available. The Terrace Grill & Bar serves locally sourced meat and fish, as well as afternoon tea, and the Longitude 08 bar is well-stocked and stays open late. Free basic Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but connectivity can be patchy -- faster premium access is available for a fee. The property’s meeting rooms can host up to 250 people, and there's a business center on-site.