Hannah Ricketts stayed at the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square as part of her ongoing series reviewing five-star hotels in London. She paid approximately £520 for one night, including breakfast, and selected a room with a balcony for a bit of outdoor space. While she appreciated the elegant, Japanese-inspired interiors and calming atmosphere, the overall experience fell short of five-star standards. The room was beautifully designed, with sleek finishes, a very soft bed, and a clean, modern bathroom—though lacking a bathtub, which she noted as a disappointment. The minibar was well-stocked, albeit pricey, and she appreciated small touches like a teapot, branded robes, and thoughtful lighting. However, she found the balcony small and underwhelming, with no furniture or meaningful view. Hannah’s biggest issue throughout her stay was the consistently poor service. She encountered a lack of hospitality from staff across the hotel—from a cold check-in experience, to being ignored or treated dismissively in the restaurant and bar, and long waits for callbacks or room queries. A request about her Expedia booking perks (breakfast and a complimentary bottle of wine) was initially dismissed until confirmed later, without apology. Dinner at Nobu’s restaurant featured high-quality sushi, but the solo dining experience was made awkward by aloof service and inattentive staff. Breakfast was served in-room but arrived lukewarm, and she was nearly charged £45 despite breakfast being included. Additional criticisms included Wi-Fi issues, noise from slamming doors throughout the night, and underwhelming turndown service. Despite the stylish setting and great food, Hannah ultimately rated the hotel a disappointing 3.5 out of 10, stating she would not return due to the unwelcoming atmosphere and lack of basic five-star service standards.
