London Hilton on Park Lane, London > Reviews > London Hilton on Park Lane

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Good
Quality of Rooms	Excellent
Standard of Service	Excellent
Quality of Food & Drink	Excellent
Cleanliness	Excellent

Advantages:	Excellent location, high level of expecation in terms of standard and service
Disadvantages:	Can be expensive, even for a cocktail  !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

A hotel with one of the most prime 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 Lane over to Hyde Park, particularly impressive in the eraly evening and an ideal setting for cocktail recpetions before dinner in the Grand Ballroom - for functions in the 700 - 1,000 region. I have been to a number of dinner funtions at the hotel, and the food at the two most recent dinners was actually of a very high quality ... I state that with a slight twinge of surprise because it can be exceptionally difficult to cater for a dinner of the size of 800 people, even if the menu is pre-selected. Believe me, I have been to plenty dinner events of 700 + people, whereby the food is nothing 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 favourite of mine. The staff tend to love themselves a little, as do most of the clientele, but then it's that kind of place and it didn't bother me too much, as people generally keep themselves to themsleves, apart - that is - from the occasional call girls that work the area looking for business. But then, you get that in any expensive and trendy major city hotel bar in the world!

Finally, the "Windows" restaurant on the 28th floor is the "Piece de resistance", providing fabulous (almost panoramic) views across London's famous skyline and a rare view into the Queens very own back garden, as Buckingham Palace is not a too distant neighbour. The food served in the restaurant on the ocassion that I dined was a sit down buffet, but a very high class buffet ... grade A food .. truly equisite. The ambience in the restaurant is very traditional, old school high society, and the menu costs certainly mirror this with a 3 course lunch costing in the region of £50-£60. Only the finest wines are available and you can expect to pay a pretty penny, with the house wine starting from c£23 per bottle.

The service that I have experienced on my 10+ visits, is, as you would expect from a 5-star hotel, first class. The staff are efficient, friendly and very professional, from front concierge, to reception, business & conference services, housekeeping, room service, and then through to the restaurants and bars.

The standard of bedrooms is of a high quality, with different grades available at high costs i.e. Executive rooms, and suites. Costs per night vary, but you are likely to be talking a maximum of £300-£400 per room per night. The beds are particularly comfortable, as are the bathrobes, which I just had to endulge in further by making a purchase .. think it cost around £40. Believe me, they are the most luxurious bathrobes you will ever experience ... very big, soft and cuddly (God, I sound like a girl!). The bedrooms have tremendous views across London, particularly from around the 12th floor upwards.