I am writing this review on behalf of my parents w...

I am writing this review on behalf of my parents who stayed at the Goring while visiting my husband and I in London. I also was at the Goring quite a bit during their stay, and we were all very disappointed.

It was their anniversary trip, and they booked the hotel through American Express Fine Hotels. We have stayed in many American Express Fine Hotels before, and it seemed as though the goring was simply, lacking.

Traditionally, with a booking through Fine Hotels, AMEX provides early check-in (if available), as well as a room upgrade (if available), in addition to breakfast. Upon checking in, they found out neither an upgrade or early check-in was available. Which was fine, such is life. However, when it came to check-in...we were told to "be their guest, go out and about London, and return by 3 and the room should be available". Upon returning, the room was STILL not available at 3 o'clock. Disappointing at best. Finally, once the room was available, my parents had to wait for their luggage and for keys to be sorted. At this point, being international travelers and arriving early in the morning - all they wanted to do was simply go into their room and take a nap. Instead, they had to sit in their room for quite a bit of time - and wait further for everything to get sorted.

Breakfast was disappointing. No where on their website does it state breakfast included is continental. In London where a dozen of eggs costs 2-3 GBP, to not include eggs with breakfast - is absurd. Especially at a 5 star hotel with this reputation. If other 5 star properties in London can do it, so can the Goring. That'll be a 6 GBP charge for an egg if you want it. At the end of the day, what's 6 GBP? But, still. it's the thought. It doesn't take much work to make eggs. Breakfast was the worst service I've experienced. Oatmeal came out before tea and drinks. If you wanted a spoon with your oatmeal, you had to ask for it. Toast? Be sure to ask for butter. Oh, and jam, ask for that too. Also, ask for more coffee - - and dont't forget to ask for a napkin. (Sadly, this wasn't exaggerating). Breakfast the following day, in the main dining room was much improved. The room they stayed in was very nice. It was small but beautifully decorated. Hallway carpeting was being dug up in the corner, exposing floorboards. The hotel does need some TLC. Toilets under the bar in the evening have a bit of a hard time flushing and bathroom downstairs needed some TLC (wet hand towels about etc). Step father was woken up at 4 in the morning from bottles being dumped into the garbage truck. I'll cut it off there. But in sum, I would not recommend this hotel to other guests staying in London. There are far better experiences, at similar properties available. Perhaps they were having a few off days.