The Cavendish London, Electra

We stayed at the Cavendish Hotel for a long weekend and enjoyed the stay very much. The hotel is located near St. James Park and Piccadilly Circus and is on a walking distance from many museums, shopping, and attractions. There is an abundance of restaurants in the area, and Soho is very near if you fancy some nightlife. The staff is friendly and correct, and one employee in particular stood out - Ahmed, one of the bell men, was incredibly helpful and service-minded, always with a smile and positive mindset. The rooms are good, but haven’t been renovated for a while. We stayed in a junior suite and it was spacious with a nice view. The beds are comfortable with several different pillows. We may stay here again at our next visit.

The Cavendish Hotel in London has so much potential to provide a wonderful experience, but unfortunately, our stay was marred by an unpleasant and awkward interaction with one of the bellmen during check-in. While the property itself is lovely, the service we encountered from this staff member was far below the standard expected of a luxury hotel. Our troubles began when we arrived with a single suitcase. Despite politely declining his offer for assistance, the bellman insisted on taking the bag. This might have been a minor inconvenience, but his subsequent behavior was completely unprofessional. He followed us to the check-in desk and hovered awkwardly throughout the process, which made us uncomfortable. Once we received our room key, he followed us into the very small elevator, monopolizing the space while attempting to engage in forced small talk about how hard he’d been working. Upon arrival at our room, he took the key from my hand, entered the room uninvited, and closed the door behind him. He then lingered inside the room for an uncomfortable moment, clearly expecting a tip, despite the fact that we had explicitly declined his assistance in the first place. Feeling pressured in this way was both unwelcoming and inappropriate. It also makes me question guests safety. After he left empty-handed, the awkwardness lingered. To make matters worse, we encountered the same bellman later in the elevator, and he rode in silence with us, adding yet another layer of discomfort to our stay. Elevators are already confined spaces, and his presence without acknowledgment made for an unnecessarily tense moment. While the Cavendish has the potential to be an excellent hotel, staff behavior like this significantly detracts from the guest experience. Guests should feel welcomed and relaxed, not pressured or uncomfortable. I am happy to tip staff when service is truly helpful or deserved, but tipping should never feel like an obligation enforced through persistent and awkward behavior. The hotel’s management should address this issue to ensure their team embodies the professionalism and hospitality expected of a luxury establishment. As it stands, I would hesitate to return to the Cavendish, as such unwelcoming service undermines an otherwise lovely stay.