... The London Hilton on Park Lane has, always been "The Hilton" and this 28-storey icon is a London landmark that I have wanted to stay in for nigh on 30 years. This weekend, the dream came true. Nor was the bubble burst.
Booking
I booked on-line through the Hilton website and was offered ... Read review
In the heart of Mayfair, 5-star London Hilton on Park Lane boasts stylish restaurants and ... more
elegant rooms.Hyde Park Corner Underground Station is a 5-minute walk away.All spacious, bright rooms have contemporary en suite facilities and a plasma-screen TV...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: True five-star oasis of calm and comfort with a few tricks up its sleeve. Disadvantages: It would be somewhat churlish to nit-pick. Read the review!
...be - THE Hilton. The London Hilton on Park Lane has, always been "The Hilton" and this 28-storey icon is a London landmark that I have wanted to stay in for nigh on 30 years. This weekend, the dream came true. Nor was the bubble burst.
Booking
I booked on-line through the Hilton website and was offered a rate of just under UKP 128, plus taxes. The room-only room rate of UKP 150 (about $300) was something ... ...room
London hotels are noted, probably, for two things; high prices and small rooms. Here, I thought that the price was good for what we got. The room, also, was by no means cramped. In fact, at 22 square metres, it was actually quite spacious. the King-sized bed was huge and proved to be extraordinarily comfortable. The comfy chair was very comfortable. The television was large and had a good selection of channels. There was a personalised ... more
I have just returned, very happy, from the Hilton. I have often returned, happy, from a Hilton, but this has always been - and will always be - THE Hilton. The London Hilton on Park Lane has, always been "The Hilton" and this 28-storey icon is a London landmark that I have wanted to stay in for nigh on 30 years. This weekend, the dream came true. Nor was the bubble burst.
Booking
I booked on-line through the Hilton website and was offered a rate of just under UKP 128, plus taxes. The room-only room rate of UKP 150 (about $300) was something of a snip and it would have been rude not to accept it; it was about half of what you'd normally expect to fork out for a room in this hotel, which holds some quite extraordinary accolades, including "Best Business Hotel in Europe 2005" and "Daily Telegraph Best British Hotel 2002".
I had intended this to be a visit for myself and Amanda. Young Josh, now 4 1/2 years old was originally going to stay with his granny. She was out of town, so he came along too. I shouldn't have worried for, although one's agenda necessarily changes with a toddler in tow, this turned out to be a very child-friendly place to stay. A friendly place, full-stop, if I am honest.
Arrival
Despite holding a travel card entitling us to free unlimited travel by bus or underground, the only real way to arrive is by taxi, which we did. Barely had the taxi ground to a hault, than the door was opened by a smart - and extremely friendly - doorman resplendent in a black uniform and top hat. travelling light, we coped with our own luggage and made our way through the revolving doors into the vast and opulent lobby. A smile from the concierge on the left welcomed us as we walked past the "Park Brasserie" and a huge display of Easter Eggs and free mini-eggs for the children. There is a cocktail bar and expensive-looking jewellers on the right and, just around the corner, the reception.
Check-in
We checked in quickly. This was efficient and friendly, if a little disconcerting. "Did you book on-line through central reservations?" he asked. "Yes". Frantic key-tapping preceded an apology that they had not been able to allocate us to the Executive floors (There are seven, I think). Ah well, I'd be paying for my drinks, then! I requested a smoking room. As ever, the dilemma inevitably ensues. "We've allocated you a newly-refurbished deluxe room on the 11th floor, but it's non-smoking". Quick as a flash, my non-smoking wife announces that the Hhonors Gold VIP upgrade will be good for my health, and we take the room. More frantic key-tapping and a puzzled receptionist hands me a form to sign, adding "Are you sure this room rate is right". I agree that it matches the booking confirmation, before he tells me that he's never seen a rate like it. As I said, prevailing rates are usually probably double what I paid. A deal was a deal - the experience and gentle interrogation were just a little disconcerting.
But soft! We headed to the one of the four lifts and got Josh to drive. He hit the right button and, in next to no time, we found ourselves 11 floors up. Our room, 1113, was conveniently located a few steps away.
The room
London hotels are noted, probably, for two things; high prices and small rooms. Here, I thought that the price was good for what we got. The room, also, was by no means cramped. In fact, at 22 square metres, it was actually quite spacious. the King-sized bed was huge and proved to be extraordinarily comfortable. The comfy chair was very comfortable. The television was large and had a good selection of channels. There was a personalised welcome card from the manager with two bottles of mineral water and chocolates. The decor was beige in a Hilton kind of way, but the room was very clean and well-maintained. The marble bathroom was well-equipped and comfortable, although I couldn't help wondering why - if this had been refurbished - they had kept the bidet. Or bottom-washer, as Josh insisted on calling it. The Molton Brown toiletries were lovely.
Thankfully, the minibar was well-disguised; with a chunky Kit Kat starting the bidding at UKP 3.50, for instance, I wouldn't really have wanted Josh to mess about with its touch-sensitive shelves, or the increasingly expensive products upon them! There were two monogrammed fluffy bathrobes - I can never understand why some hotels provide only one in a double room. These were available to buy for UKP 50 (Yep, did it). A monogrammed umbrella was also provided. And it was available to buy. Couldn't resist it, either. Bill increased by UKP 15.
Yet, as I looked out through the window, commanding an excellent view over Hyde Park and extending as far as the unfinished Wembley football stadium, I was a very happy chappy. This was, indeed, luxury at a fair price. The hotel boasts the best views in London, and from every room, and I cannot imagine that this is a shallow promise in any way.
The hotel is well located on Park Lane, one of London's best addresses, and is convenient for Hyde Park Corner, and the park itself. We entertained ourselves in the park, took a row on the lake (The Serpentine), then headed East to Brick Lane for Josh's first "proper" curry, before heading back to the hotel for an early night.
Refreshments
The curry experience had been pre-planned, so we hadn't intended to eat at the hotel, although there are a wide variety of options. There's "Windows" on the 28th floor, currently being refurbished. It is due to re-open in may 2006 and it is promised to be spectacular, both in terms of food quality and the panoramic views, high above the city. On the ground floor, there's the Park Brasserie and bar, and in the basement, there's "Trader Vic's". Of that, more later. Alternatively, the room service menu is extensive. And expensive. In most Hiltons, room service is very predictable and, whilst you can still order the usual club sandwich, etc, here you have a far wider variety, including a wide range of arabic food and - if you really want to annoy the bank manager, Beluga caviar which, I suppose, at UKP 150 a portion is probably a steal. It just seemed a lot cheaper when I was in Russia... Perhaps it's inflation.
It would be wrong of me not to comment on the bars, and there are four of them. Mindful of the fact that I'd be reviewing this hotel, I made a valiant effort to consolidate my research in this respect with you, the reader, in mind.
My favourite is "Trader Vic's". I've been to this bar before, as a non-resident, but thought I should check out its current form. Josh was made to feel welcome, which surprised me, but he loved it. The theme is Polynesian and, although you are in the basement of a London hotel, you feel as if you're in a bamboo beach hut in Hawaii! The emphasis is on rum-based cocktails, and these were very enjoyable. Josh had an apple juice. UKP 4.50. Ouch! It's a friendly place, with lots to see, not least the lovely waitresses in full-length silk dresses, slit to the thigh. Not that I really noticed.
Amanda and Josh returned to the room, whilst I continued my research in earnest. The next bar is Zeta's, a trendy nightclub-style cocktail bar with a large menu of exciting looking cocktails. Not for the first time, I was surprised that my cocktail of choice (Harvey Wallbanger) was not listed. When I explained to the waitress how to make one, she quickly returned with a very good rendition of the drink. The barman, I could tell, knew exactly what it was. Concluding with a fantastic B52, I left just as the place was starting to liven up. Strangely enough, the doors from the hotel lobby are locked at 9pm, so you have to go out into the street, and back in through the main entrance. A little odd, but I did so, via a pub down the street; my wallet had started to complain, and I quite fancied a beer. I could have had one at the Park Brasserie if I had known.
And so to bed. The hotel offers a turn down service but, in order to respect your privacy, only do so if you call Housekeeping. Feeling just about competent to turn down our own bed, we hopped in and had an extremely comfortable sleep.
Breakfast would have been expensive and I don't really "do" breakfast, so I passed. After a lie-in (It was Easter Sunday), we wandered down to reception and checked out. Concierge looked after our luggage whilst we visited some more things in London and this was speedily brought to us on our return.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this was a superb stay in an iconic, if expensive, hotel that I have always wanted to visit. It is luxurious and surprisingly friendly; I didn't feel it was at all stuffy, and it affords great views over the capital. If it did fall down, it was an occasional lack of attention to detail. On checking in, I asked if our room would be big enough for a rollaway bed for Josh. It was, I was told, but no bed appeared until a subsequent direct request much later - and then they provided a baby's cot. The complimentary newspaper was not delivered, although they were available near the lifts. I was a little surprised, too, when the gentleman in front of me in the queue for the concierge had to wait whilst the concierge had to consult a guide book in order to "Recommend a nearby restaurant that serves modern British cuisine". I'd have thought that it would have been part of his armoury. At the end of the day, however, these are very minor criticisms indeed. Overall, we had a great time and I would not hesitate to return.
Advantages: Good location Disadvantages: Bathroom not terribly clean, fairly small rooms, over-priced for what it is.
...be said that hotels in London can be expensive, and I guess considering my room was technically free it was good value! The rooms are an ok size, for central London but they were basic - for a "luxury" hotel I can't deny that I expected a little more. My room to be fair was just a standard king room but considering this is Hilton's flagship hotel in the United Kingdom I didn't think they were anything special. The Hilton website said that it was ... ...the next time I'm in London I think I'll give the Crowne Plaza a try - although from the website the rooms look a little more dated. The bathroom wasn't very clean, with a hair in the bath and rusty fittings. The hotel provides few toiletries. I do find it annoying that hotels only seem to give you 1 tiny bottle of soap and shampoo per room, a little more would have been great so that it didn't feel as though they had to be rationed! Had i have paid ...
jack2794 02.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of London Hilton on Park Lane, London
Advantages: Excellent location, high level of expecation in terms of standard and service Disadvantages: Can be expensive, even for a cocktail !
...locations in London, the 5-star London Hilton on Park Lane, boasts one of the more salubrious addresses and settings of the Hilton group's London portfolio, slightly set back from the busy traffic of Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park.
The hotel is modern, but with a certain degree of grandeur, with a spacious lobby, behind which lies the sweeping staircases up the Grand Ballroom and Wellington Ballroom. The latter boats fantastic views across Park ... ...short of appalling. The London Hilton on Park Lane have done themselves proud in this area.
The Zeta Bar located behind reception and also with a private entrance from the street is one of London's recognised trendy bars and you probably won't be served many better cocktails in the capital. The ambience of the bar provides a very relaxed yet vibrant feel, given that extra edge by the zesty cocktails on offer. The buzz light year being a particular ...
newty1977 19.01.2006 (24.01.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of London Hilton on Park Lane, London
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Reviews which might be of interest for "London Hilton on Park Lane, London"
Advantages: Location and views. Disadvantages: Difficult to drive out of onto Park Lane.
they are from GBP149.00 per night for 2 people sharing.
Connections by bus are excellent, but the tube station is a bit of a walk (and not very safe at night), via an underground passageway underneath Hyde Park Corner. There is a taxi rank outside the Hotel and there never seems to be a shortage of taxis.
Speakers corner for a bit of fun on a Sunday, is only about 7 minutes walk away.
Oxford Street and Piccadilly are very close walking distance.
The restaurant ?Windows Restaurant? and bar have the best views in London, as do most of the rooms on the upper floors.
There is a wonderful ?Trader Vics? restaurant by the front entrance, which is well worth a visit.
Food is good, albeit pricey and the service is excellent. Meal for 2 c.GBP150.00. ...
Product Information for "London Hilton on Park Lane, London" »
Product details
Rating
5 Stars
Rooms
450
Type
Hotel
Address
22 Park Lane, London, W1K 4BE
City
London
Country
England
Manufacturer's product description
The 28-story London Hilton on Park Lane overlooks Hyde Park and is within walking distance of Oxford Street and approximately 14 miles from London Heathrow Airport. Within one mile are Waterloo Station, Trafalgar Square, Victoria Station, Harrods, and Buckingham Palace. Tate Gallery is approximately four miles away. It is a modern, 28-storey hotel towering over affluent Mayfair opposite Hyde Park. The 450 guestrooms and suites feature decor ranging from classic to contemporary.
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