I'd a lovely experience at the Portland for my first baby. But I'd a completely uncomplicated birth and pregnancy, so I can't speak for someone who had a compicated or problematic pregnancy/birth. The care I received was extremely good in every way. The only disappointment was my consultant--I found him brusque and arrogant.
I went to the Lindo Wing for my second, having decided that because there is a risk associated with birth, i'd preferif I were to opt for private careto be in the private wing of an NHS hospital in case of emergency.
That's still my feeling--that it's safer to be in/near an NHS hospital. For that reason I wouldn't go to John & Lizzie's either. (In fact my friend nearly died there twice: both during the birth, and after the operation she had there to correct damage done to her reproductive system.) And for the same reason, I'd be hesitant about having my baby at home. I guess anywhere that isn't a proper hospital with back-up care makes me nervous.
As it happens, my second birth, the one at the Lindo Wing, was also very easy. But I hemorrhaged afterwards. Though I didn't need a transfusion, it was comforting to know I was somewhere that could handle that kind of emergency. On the other hand, I didn't get the assistance I'd have gotten were I at the Portland. At the Lindo, I was sent off to the public loo right after the hemorrhagethe midwife didn't seem to take my dizziness seriouslyand I fainted. I suspect the midwives would have been a bit kinder at the Portland--well, that was my experience with the first birth.
I loved the Portland and have no regrets about going there. I'm sure it continues to be lovely. When my son had a procedure there requiring an overnight stay, it was wonderful then too. But because I'm a bit neurotic about the possibility of complications, I'd probably not go back.