Stayed here quite a bit lately so thought I would post some pics and write a (rather large) review for others considering staying here.

Getting there:

A bit tricky if you don't know where you are going and especially at any rush hour times as the traffic can be busy, fast moving and very little courtesy shown to other drivers. In general this site is very convenient to the M3 but also for most New Forest or Southampton visitors. Yes, it is outside of town but it is in a good area of Southampton and is generally quiet. Parking is free now if you are a guest and the barriers to the property are not even fitted (assume they are getting some work done). It can be very busy and hard to find parking here at times but generally quite a few spaces. It is close to the airport so quite a few people must use the park and stay feature. I have seen cars parked on the grass, all around the property on double yellow areas, even outside the barrier area in front of the hotel when it was really busy. A tip may be that there is a far amount of parking behind the property and also to the left before the property (where I assume the staff park). If you are staying for several nights and the barrier does get replaced then ask for the ticket to be validated and it will allow you unlimited entry and exit until your check out date saving several tickets and problems.

A side note that this is a good location to run/jog from as there are quiet a few quiet and green side streets nearby with sidewalks. Not too much in the way of restaurants to walk to though nearby. A petrol station is a 100m away on the roundabout with a small shop if you are so inclined.

Entrance:

The entrance area is spacious and nice with a fish tank centerpiece. A small Costas coffee kiosk is usually manned by hotel staff and has some small snacks as well across from the reception area. further ahead is the lounge area and bar. This is quite a large area spread over 3 areas with partial dividing walls. The restaurant is further still straight ahead. To the right as you enter the hotel are a business centre and meeting rooms. I haven't used either so can't comment on them. The reception area is quite small and has no dedicated hhonors check in area, there is usually only one staff member there anyway.

Reception:

Even though I have stayed about 4 weeks out of the last 5 here, the staff still ask me every Monday if I have stayed before and go through the whole dog and pony show which is amusing but tiresome. I do enjoy when they ask if I have stayed with them before…'yes, all of Sept as a matter of fact'…honestly, doesn't the computer system tell the staff such details? (sorry, rant over).

As a diamond I have always been greeted correctly with the welcome back bit and given the internet code which is valid for the whole calendar month as well as a coupon for the bar (no exec lounge). If you are a couple staying then you get two coupons, singles get one.

I have always been upgraded to a 'better' room here which I think only means that I am getting some slippers and a bathrobe in reality but nevertheless they do pay attention to upgrading and also to preferences in your profile (I like to be away from noise and elevators for example).

The rooms:


Bed Southampton by BA_pics, on Flickr

The better rooms appear to be those that are marked with 'plaza' room brass plates on the doors but I could be wrong. In each room I have had two bottles of water (one still and one sparkling) with a pack of crisps and a welcome letter.


diamond reception and ethernet by BA_pics, on Flickr

There is no wireless in the rooms, only wired internet and a very short Ethernet cable (1.5 m long) so if you like to have the freedom to surf from the bed then I suggest bringing a long cable with you! The speeds are slow and I wouldn't recommend trying to stream music or TV…it is bad enough just surfing in my opinion but it works. Not sure if you get better service if you pay or not.

I have only stayed on the 4th floor so far and found this fine personally for noise. Floor 3 is the main floor and I think you would hear quite a bit of foot traffic in the halls if you were on this floor. below or above is fine and there are stairs as well as two elevators. I could keep the window open (on tilt) if I was facing the greenery…if you face the motorway or parking lot then you will likely need to close it for noise reasons). There is still NO air conditioning. The climate controls consist of a radiator regulator or a fan in the wardrobe. I like it warm but if you are a cold-blooded beast then you may suffer in summer.


wardrobe by BA_pics, on Flickr

The rooms are a decent size for a European hotel and there is space to put bags and such as you can see from the pictures. The room looks darker than it is in reality but that is just the poor lighting from my smartphone, apologies.


Plaza Room 4th floor Hilton Southampton by BA_pics, on Flickr


Entrance area by BA_pics, on Flickr

Nearly all of the TV's in the various rooms i have had worked fine but the remotes are almost all broken…tape on the battery area and the buttons don't work…really frustrating. There is no coffee machine, instead you get an electric kettle and some instant powder and tea bags with the necessary sugar and cream bits. (To be fair there is the costa coffee shop in the hotel lobby so this is in their interest).


desk and TV by BA_pics, on Flickr


kettle by BA_pics, on Flickr

I found the rooms clean and tidy and can definitely say they are fine to stay in. There are a few niggles that bothered me which were the same in every room…

-The toilet roll holder is poorly made and nearly everyone would fall apart when trying to pull the toilet paper so that you are left with the end in your hand and the roll on the floor…I simply give up and take the roll of the mount but this may really bother more dignified people!


shower bath by BA_pics, on Flickr

-The showers leak badly and I think this must be a design fault…You need to place a face cloth or hand towel on the edge area near the taps to soak up the standing water or it will leak onto the floor and pool there, It is not going to flood the rooms but it is a big pain in the …


bathroom by BA_pics, on Flickr

-some toilets don't flush very well and you need to try a few times to get the water to come…not sure why this is but out of 5 rooms, only one worked without fail on the first flush every time.

Food/ Restaurants

The bar staff were always very friendly and busy helping customers, there is generally a good choice of food to eat in the lounge and bar areas and the service is quick and friendly. They seem to have two specials a week for £ 13.95 (one pasta and one curry including a drink, one Mondays and one Thursdays IIRC). The restaurant staff (for breakfast as I didn't eat in the restaurant itself at night) were very good at remembering faces and greeting people and always had a good word to say. The breakfast buffet is very good and you can get a really good full English breakfast here or whatever you wish as there is a good fruit salad area, cold cut meats and cheese, cereals, juices, breads and sweets. Breakfast was always free for me as a diamond and this was true value here as the breakfast is fantastic.

Other:

I did not use the gym, pool or other features so can't say how they were or look like sorry.

To sum up:

I would definitely stay here again and recommend it to others. The place is clean, the staff generally very good and caring and the food and services also wide ranging and good. Compared to Bristol or Newport (where you couldn't pay me to stay again) this is a true bargain…it is a bit dated and does not have the flash of bigger and nicer Hiltons but for the money this is great. I typically paid around £65 to £89 / night without any special rates (advance payment). ^

Hope this is of use and interest to others trying to decide where to stay in the area.