Sure, playing Call of Duty at home is fun – but have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a hotel with some of the world’s best equipment and a game at your fingertips?
Wonder no more! Trendy hotel brand W introduced its special Gaming Suite in November at its London branch, which has the distinction of being the first in the UK and combines “the sense of casual gaming with the luxury of world hospitality”: basically, W London has taken the position. Bandit suite and a whole load of hi-tech comforts.
With the election season now extended to July 31, now is the perfect time to pay a visit.
But is it the best place to play? I set out to find out.
“hardware”
There’s a dazzling amount of hardware for gamers
/ CuraConn/W LondonThe first thing that strikes you when you walk into the W London Gaming Suite is the sheer amount of hardware on display.
It is from the top in CyberPower PC game that downloads games in a thread. There’s also an Xbox Series X/S, though, weirdly no seats, making this feel like some kind of incomplete gaming setup.
The best feature, however, has to be the Samsung 55 “Oyssea Box”. With its huge, curved screen and insanely good graphics, it makes gaming — especially shooters — a dream. I don’t think I’ve ever done it that well, although the graphics for Halo or Call of Duty sometimes struggled to do justice to its immense size.
After all, a gamer — and especially an awesome streamer — has all of these things you need anyway, and then some.
Do you want a mic? This one illustrates it. There the lighting (and the camera) is arranged so that all the streams appear spectacular; The chair — a Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022, no less — feels like sitting on a cloud. Even the desk — a Large Metallic model from Secretlab can be adjusted for height and has a soft leather surface for your arms to rest on.
In terms of games, it is accompanied by a wide range of popular ones (think Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Fifa) but usefully, you can also request that they be joined prior to your arrival – or even by using the hotel. Xbox Game Pass when you come.
Are they washed away alone? The hotel’s WiFi didn’t quite keep up with online gaming speeds. Games like Halo’s struggled to make online players on the Xbox a significant amount of time — though, once the actual game was received, it wasn’t a problem.
It is a place
The suite is medium and pretty bright
/ CuraConn/W LondonThe Game Suite is located right in the heart of London – and when I say heart, I mean windows overlooking Leicester Square. It’s located in the LATRO W London Suite, which is pretty gorgeous: you can control the lighting and music from one of the many iPads, a huge bathroom, and a huge bed. The suite is divided into two, one side comprising the living area (and game set up) and the other, the bed.
W has also helpfully designed specific tables for those who are too deep into their game to want to leave their room. Entitled ‘Brain Boosters’, that’s quite accurate: the food offering (besides the standard dining/dining options) is gradually getting more trendy than the full on meals.
We went for a bunch of Bao Buns but, for the healthy conscious, there are Mana Lion’s mushroom drinks, cocoa granola bars, and sometimes balls (like some cocktails) to stick in. three chickens – and also, of course, good for boosting concentration.
judgment
Looking for… a drink from the Brain Boosters menu
/ CuraConn/W LondonIs the W Gaming Suite a fun way to spend a night or two? Absolutely. Even if you’re not a professional gamer, sitting in front of that huge screen, surrounded by a swirl of lights, makes you feel like royalty, like video game royalty.
The only drawback is perhaps the necessary cost. Is it worth going? With prices starting at £1500 a night, it’s unlikely if you live in London, especially considering a decent PC game will set you back significantly less. Plus, this is not the best place to bring friends: there are two Xbox controllers, but everything else is provided for one person, from the chair (one) to the big screen (also one).
But if you’re a fast streamer on the move — and you want to access the best gear while you’re on the go — then there’s no better place to be. Plus, did I mention the huge TV screen? That concession alone is almost worth the price.
More information about the W London Gaming Suite, including booking details, can be found here this.
