Review of Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel 4*

I usually stay in hotels in higher price ranges, but I wanted to try the Pestana Hotel because of it's location (Chelsea) and the Wellness and Spa. Over all the Pestana is okay, but some of the staff were really disinterested and unfriendly. Three examples: The first point freaked me out was that there is no possibility for the hotel to book from your credit card without a pin number (even though I had my passport with me and it was the same card I used to book the hotel) — I was already in a looot of different hotels but this problem never crossed my way. Because of this incident we wanted to change our foreign cash into British Pounds, but the reception staff said it's not possible. After I got angry and I explaned the situation of the credit card, he unwillingly changed the money (but max 100pounds each) and controlled the money intensly (as if we would be criminals?! ). Point two is the Spa and Wellness. After our weird arrival we wanted to relax and asked for the different treatments as massages. The guy from the reception gave us a cheap looking flyer with the treatments — the prices are unbelievable high. I live in Zurich Switzerland and I love the spend money to pamper myself so I would be okay with paying a bit more than others, but I get some good stuff in return. But the prices of Pestana massages and treatments are not in any way justified — and by the way it makes no sense to me to offer 25min massages (no one can relax in this short amount of time). And the third point is similar to the first point and it's about the portier. Even in 3starhotels (if they have a portier) I got better service than there in Pestana. We were two young women with quite a lot baggage and they've got those baggage trolleys (the golden ones) but he never even looked at us — and that way in the check in and check out.! In the end it was the friendly cab driver who helped us carry our luggage. I mean, what the heck is this guys job? I want this job too — just standing around all day and not doing anything. So would I stay in Pestana again? Will I recommend it? HELL NO! Next time I will (even for a short stay) book a room in the Marriott or Covent Garden again. Sure I pay much more there, but after the PestanaExperience I rather pay more but at least I know I will be treated in a good way and I won't need to carry my luggage around…