We recently stayed at The Dilly for 7 nights and, unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences we've had. We actually stayed here around 14 years ago and enjoyed it then, but it honestly feels as though very little has changed since. The location is outstanding—right in the heart of Piccadilly—and that's the only reason this review receives any positive rating.
After a 24-hour flight from Australia, we arrived at 8:30am and were told we'd be contacted when our room was ready. We never heard anything and returned at 3:00 pm only to be told it had been ready. It was the lack of communication, not the lack of early check-in, that was disappointing.
Room 901 felt like an attic with tiny windows, so we requested a move. Room 444 was larger but still tired, with worn furniture, stained carpets, a stale damp smell outside the lifts that carried into the room, a stained shower curtain, a toilet that regularly needed pumping to flush and a leaking fridge. Housekeeping was consistently poor, with dirty glasses and used cutlery left uncleaned throughout our stay.
To make matters worse, the indoor pool was closed for maintenance in the middle of summer, and despite the hotel promoting ongoing refurbishment, it still feels dated and well below five-star standard.
The staff were polite and did move us, but that couldn't make up for the overall experience. We would not stay here again and cannot recommend it. There are far better hotels in London at a similar price