THE HOTEL: The Pestana Chelsea Bridge hotel opened in 2010 and is the Portuguese group's first property in the UK. The four-star hotel has 216 guest rooms and, as the name suggests, is located by Chelsea Bridge, on
the south side of the Thames.
THE CHECK-IN: Entered the hotel into a bustling lobby area and was attended to at reception after a short wait. Staff were exceptionally polite and efficient.
THE ROOM: Guestrooms are split across five
categories, from Standard to two-bedroom
suites. Guests on the Club Floor have access
to a lounge where complimentary breakfast,
snacks and drinks are served. My room
featured light, modern decor, with a number
of London-themed pictures and photos.
There was a large desk, king-size bed, small
sofa, flatscreen TV, air conditioning, tea and
coffee-making facilities, a safe, iPod docking
station and bathroom with separate bath and
shower. There was no iron and ironing
board, and it took three calls to reception to
eventually have one delivered.
THE BUSINESS: There are six meeting
rooms across two levels, catering for groups
of ten through to 500 delegates. Some rooms
have natural daylight. Day delegate rates are
from £60 including VAT. Videoconferencing
facilities are also available. There's free wifi
access in the lobby and bar area, and paidfor
internet access in the business centre.
THE FACILITIES: The Atlântico Restaurant
and Lounge serves a comprehensive
breakfast menu – with Portuguese pastries a
speciality, of course – as well as evening
dinner. Lunch is on offer at the Atlântico
Lobby Bar Buzz, which opens from 9am
through to midnight. Round-the-clock room
service is available. There's also a gym, small
pool and spa with treatment rooms.
THE VERDICT: This is a stylish and
thoroughly modern hotel with some neat
touches and nice views over iconic Battersea
Power Station. The main drawback is its
location – it's a ten-minute walk to the
nearest train station (Battersea Park overground),
though there are buses aplenty.
THE DETAILS: Rooms start from £129 and
suites £149, including VAT but no breakfast.
354 Queenstown Road, London, SW8 4AE.
Tel: 020 7062 8000; see: www.pestana.com. Martin Steady
