I have been neglecting Ciao but hopefully things should be back to normal soon. Ruth x
I have been neglecting Ciao but hopefully things should be back to normal soon. Ruth x
Member since:26.04.2004
Reviews:24
Members who trust:13
The company I work for have a corporate account with the Hilton Hotel chain because we have a lot of people based off site and they often need a hotel near the office if people are visiting HQ (heaven forbid, there is nothing worse than going back to base!) This is the hotel they use the majority of the time because of convenience. I had to stay there a few weeks ago for some training (yawn) so I thought I would write a review for you lovely people.
The Hilton Kensington is situated on 179-199 Holland Park Avenue and is classed as a 4 star hotel. It consists 602 rooms.
First Impressions -----------------------
I always think that you can get a really good fell for a hotel from the lobby/reception area (on a few instances I have been wrong, but that is for another review). You walk through the Hilton’s revolving doors and are presented with a very nice, pleasant reception area. I’m sure I spotted a chandelier, but I may be mistaken. Check in was painless - because I wasn’t paying - and as with most hotels now you can choose to charge items to your room or pay cash. If you decide to charge anything to the room the receptionist must take a swipe of a credit card
for security in case you do a runner. There are three lifts that are for guests and they are rather oddly shaped - normally lifts resemble a box with big doors etc, but these are L-shaped, with a small door that you have to try and manoeuvre luggage in and out of. The corridors were unremarkable and were the same as in most hotels, so off I trundled to my room…
The Room --------------
I know this may seem childish, but I love the experience of entering a hotel room for the first time. Obviously only the ones I stay in - I don’t go around trying to open all the doors to try and get the same high! I think it is because you don’t know what is going to be inside (uh oh another Kinder Egg analogy coming on) and, with a bit of luck and a decent chambermaid, the room is tidy and fresh. Upon entering the room there wasn’t anything that really got me going or really disappointed me either - it was average really. I always check three things before I even bother unpacking. 1) Is the bed comfortable 2) Has the shower got decent water pressure 3) Does the TV have decent channels If the answer is no to either of the first two, I am off to reception quicker than a quick thing to get moved. Luckily, for me and the receptionist, my room passed all three tests so I stayed put.
Facilities in the room: TV, air conditioning, hair dryer, radio, tea and coffee - the usual really. Nothing stood out as being something that is not present in every other hotel around the country. You also get a mini bar in the room. It is one of those fancy ones and there is a sign that tells you if you take anything out it will automatically get charged to your room. Now I must admit I am a bit sceptical of this and I shall tell you why. From previous experience I have discovered that the majority of items in a mini bar are out of date. This is because the prices for mini bar goods are ridiculously high so people in general do not normally bother. So I took all the stuff out of the mini bar (before I read the sign) and low and behold, what did I find, but 3 bottles of beer severely beyond their use by date. I don’t know if this would cause any major upset if someone does drink them, but it is always worth checking before you drink something from a mini bar - a little tip from me to you.
I had to arrange a wake up call for the next day as I didn’t have an alarm with me. I quite like wake up calls because they normally ring you twice. Once to wake you up and a second time because you have fallen back to sleep. So I arranged mine for 7am, enough time to get ready and go down to breakfast and still be on time for work. Well, what should happen, but no wake up call! Luckily enough I woke up at 7.30am, but that was breakfast out the window! So my advise would be to take an alarm, I will next time!
Room Service ------------------
I wouldn’t normally bother with room service, but I did during my stay (what the hell, it all goes on expenses) So I decided to treat myself to the only vegetarian thing on the menu - ravioli - how exciting! Placing your order is quite simple, you just press the button on your phone that says room service. So I ordered my dinner and waited for it to be delivered - which you pay an extra £3 for the privilege. When the food turned up and the waiter had gone I went to tuck in and the majority of the food was cold. If I had just paid £20 for some cold ravioli I would have been very peed off, but I was too tired and hungry to care by then. If it had been hot it would have been delicious.
Restaurants ----------------
If you decide to opt for dining out instead of in then there are two restaurants. One called Zen that serves oriental cuisine and the other is called Imbue and that serves international food. Snacks are also served at the am-pm lounge. As I chose the room service option (doh!) I cannot comment on the food at the restaurants. The am-pm lounge is a nice place to sit and have a drink.
Leisure Facilities ----------------------
Well, erm, basically there aren’t any unless you include eating, sleeping and drinking. Although on the website they do have something entitled ‘Leisure Packages’. And this is basically 1 nights accommodation and entrance to a West End show. Prices range from £113 to £164 per person depending on which hotel you choose to stay in. The Docklands being the cheapest and Park Lane being the most expensive. These do actually look good, I wouldn’t mind going to seeJerry Springer - but I am sure you could arrange the whole lot yourself and save money.
Transport Links ---------------------
The Hilton Kensington is right next to Kensington Olympiatrain station which is also on the District Line. Or it is a 10-15 minute walk, or a short bus ride (just hop on the No9) from Kensington High Street tube station which is on the Circle Line.
Prices --------
Prices for one nights accommodation range from £79-£334 per night. For more information visit www.hilton.co.uk
Conclusion ----------------
I think the Hilton chain is it’s own worst enemy in many ways because it is so well known that you expect something really special from them, and frankly they don’t deliver. It is average all the way and to be honest if you want average you can go to a Travel Lodge, a brand that doesn‘t pretend to be something it‘s not. But because the majority of the guests are there for 1 night due to business they get away with it. I would be really disappointed if I had booked and paid to stay here out of choice because you do have expectations, and they are just not met.
Thanks for reading
Ruth x
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Location. The Hilton London Kensington stands along a tree shaded thoroughfare on London, ... more
England's west side. This smoke free property is located 600 metres from Holland Park and less than two kilometres from Portobello Road. Hotel Features. The h...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Location. The Hilton London Kensington stands along a tree shaded thoroughfare on London, ... more
England's west side. This smoke free property is located 600 metres from Holland Park and less than two kilometres from Portobello Road. Hotel Features. The h...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: Superb, friendly, efficient staff who immediately make you feel at home. Most efficient font desk. Disadvantages: Room was a little small - but this IS London!
Advantages: Superb, friendly, efficient staff who immediately make you feel at home. Most efficient font desk. Disadvantages: Room was a little small - but this IS London!
Jul 15th, 2004
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
