Phoenix Heights By BridgeStreet

This is my second time staying at Phoenix Heights. First time we were placed on the south side of the hotel. We had a view of the London towers to the right. It was great. This time was awful. We were placed on the 9th floor on the east side of the building. All the machinery that was hidden behind closed doors made the elevator lobby unbearably hot to stand and even wait two minutes for the elevator. The LRT (above ground subway/tube train) that ran every three minutes gave off unbearable noise from 5.30am till 1.am. Right outside our window. It was also so hot in the apartment (there’s no air con) that our apartment did not drop below 26 degrees. We were stuck in a catch. Open the windows and be deafened by the train track. Close the windows and die of heat. We asked to move rooms. Reception did not even try to accommodate our request. Just awful customer service. Although the apartment was huge by London standards it would only translate to a 3 star in my North American comparison. It was pretty basic and showing many signs of age. Definitely do not stay here in the summertime. If I have to stay there again I would only stay in the winter on the south side of the building. But after that experience I will not return. Another important note. It was advertised on the internet for 2300 per week. Through my timeshare I paid 3000. Couldn’t cancel. It was a non refundable booking much to my dismay.

We stayed here for a week in April with a family of 5. The first thing prospective visitors should realise is that you need to collect the key from an apartment complex nearly a km away and then navigate through roadworks with suitcases to the building. First impressions last and they were not good. The floor was warped and the "parquetry" was broken in places and jutting out of the floor. The beds had dormitory comfort, being thin and unsupportive and the beds are small (double beds). The also tended to make you both sag towards the middle. The furniture was straight out an Ikea catalogue. It was clear that little maintenance/updating had been done in this circa late 90s apartment. Don't be deceived by the photos. The most displeasing feature was the intermittent hot water supply. This seemed to be contingent on the use of other apartments as it would be rare to get hot water during the morning or evenings. I called the manager and the polite receptionist told me she would return my call....this didn't happen. The building is centrally heated with a local controller for the apartment. The building's heat would permeate the apartment and the heating element would rattle all night making sleep uncomfortable. Windows wouldn't stay open sufficiently to allow some ventilation. It would also have been lovely to see out the windows, but the amount of grime on them leads me to believe they haven't been cleaned in many years. The only plus side is the location with excellent transport and shopping options. Aside from this, we paid a premium expecting a quality apartment and responsive management. We received neither. Perhaps we were naive in believing in staying with a branded apartment company, a certain standard would be maintained. I would never recommend these apartments. If you are staying in Canary Wharf, there are plenty of options.

As commented by others check in is a faff because its away from the flat. I have been to the area a few times but I still had to phone to find the office which is ten minutes or so walk from apartment block. In view of construction walk think it easier to walk over the footbridge to get to flat rather than the more obvious looking route on a map. They must operate several apartments and so this is of course only a review of the particluar one we were allocated. The view from the 19th floor is amazing with Canary Wharf in one direction and the City in another direction and somewhat further. First impressions very good and appeared generally well equipped. However........ After first day we had very sporadic hot water. To be fair on complaining we were offered to move to another flat with a taxi fare paid but we declined due to amazing view. Bathroom sink didn't drain properly and toilet flush was pretty ineffective. Couldn't get dishwasher to work, but that may have been me. Internet was free and quick but kept losing connection. Given there is a minimum booking length (we had 4 nights for 3 people) the amount of toilet paper and shower toileteries (not especially a problem in view of lack of hot water!) is obviously not adequate. They may have brought more if asked I don't know. Didnt find anything wrong with beds or mattress though. Good for Tube and DLR, very nice restaurant on ground floor of apartment block.