Hi seacow,
Sorry to hear about your experience, it seems this hotel is not one of the best in the London area and is not really improving.
I'm not sure if you noticed but there is a thread for the Hilton Hyde Park already which may have helped you before you booked to get an idea of the reviews:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...k-hotel-6.html
I personally wouldn't bother staying here if I was you...try the Doubletree just a few hundred meters down the road...it is far better and cheaper with better staff.
Maybe a moderator can merge this thread into the Hilton Hyde Park thread if the OP agrees?