No access after midday: The strangest hotel pool rule I’ve ever seen
Rooftop swimming pools in Central London are not common. Real estate space is at an absolute premium, and the often gloomy skies in the United Kingdom can mean that, most of the year, it's not ideal outdoor swimming weather.
When it's a warm and sunny day, however, it's glorious to have access to a rooftop pool.
That's why I was so excited to stay at the new Mondrian Shoreditch London hotel recently.
I knew from my research that the hotel had a rooftop restaurant, as well as a small swimming pool. When I checked in I was advised that breakfast for all guests was served on the rooftop and the next morning I enjoyed a delicious a la carte breakfast in a fabulously bright, renovated space that made me feel like I was in sunny South Beach, Miami, without needing to leave the gritty Shoreditch neighborhood in London.
During breakfast, I spotted the small rooftop swimming pool next to the restaurant. It wasn't large, and there were no sunbeds nearby to relax on. With such limited space to work with, most of the rooftop has been used for the restaurant.
This made sense to me since I assumed most guests would be more interested in a hearty breakfast each morning than a dip in the pool if they could only choose one or the other.
I asked the rooftop staff about the restaurant and pool opening hours. After all, it would be a lovely spot to watch the sun set across the city on a warm evening with a cocktail in hand.
The staff asked if I was staying at the hotel and I told them I was, even showing them my room key. They abruptly told me the entire rooftop was closed "for a private function" from midday onwards. While this seemed a little unusual, I thought perhaps it was a one-off.
When I checked out of the hotel I asked about the pool and rooftop restaurant and was advised it was completely off-limits to all hotel guests every single day starting midday.
Review: Sexy in the city: A review of the Mondrian Shoreditch London hotel, an Accor Live Limitless property
Why?
Because the rooftop is shared with the Curtain Club, a private members club next door. Hotel guests can use the space from 7 a.m. until midday and then it is reserved exclusively for the private members club for the remainder of the day.
I mentioned to the front desk manager that this was a strange rule, to which he replied that a number of guests had commented the same thing.
While I'm positive there was no mention of this rule when I booked back in early September (I do my research before booking a hotel), there is now a small "blink and you'll miss it" disclaimer on the hotel's website:
Mondrian Shoreditch also hosts a [24-hour] gym as well as a pool, which is available for guests from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
I contacted the hotel to ask them for a comment on this rule, and they extended their "sincerest apologies regarding [the] pool policy."
"Though our website now shows the pool opening hours this should have still been communicated to you at check-in," I was told. The note added that there are two businesses (the hotel and private club) occupying the building, and said they "try [their] best to accommodate hotel guests and club members."
"However," the response concluded, "I definitely understand your frustration in finding out that you could not access the rooftop at certain [hours]."
Bottom line
This relationship between this luxury hotel and the private members club next door is a strange one.
With only one rooftop they are attempting to keep both groups happy with separate access hours. The problem is that hotel guests only receive five of the 24 hours each day that the space could potentially be used, which is likely to irritate high-paying hotel guests, especially in the summer months when rooftops are particularly sought-after amenities.
Perhaps allowing hotel guests access from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., before giving the space to others to party the night away, would be a better compromise.
This is a really fabulous hotel and the half-amenity rooftop rule was really the only thing I disliked about my stay.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.