As someone who spends a great deal of time travelling I've become a lover of boutique hotels for their style, little luxuries and the personal touches in service you just don't get at the major chains. These are all qualities I am happy to pay for.
I had heard about the Clift and jumped at the chance to stay there. However, I can only say I was deeply disappointed.
It certainly looks the part - and the gorgeous Redwood bar touched all the style notes for me. However it's here that seems to stem the root of the Clift's downfall - expensive yet poor quality cocktails, ambivalent service without any sense of personal touch and it is incredibly busy (operates practically as a night club) denies residents any sense of exclusivity.
The rooms themselves are noisy, tiny and poorly appointed: our bathroom would not contain two people busying to get ready and had none of the mod-cons any rival hotel in the cateogry would provide (Hi Fi, flat screen TV, etc.)
Finally adding insult to injury was the service which in general was aloof and thoughtless - requests for room changes were declined with an unapologetic lack of sincerity.
Overall, I would say that the Clift is all talk, no luxury and presents poor value for money. Stay somewhere like the W instead.
Pros: Style, location
Cons: Tiny rooms, poor service or value for money
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