Why? It is the same bricks and mortar, and still within the Hilton Portfolio so not exactly a 'fresh start with a clean slate' that the past history doesn't matter - just rename the title?

Anyhow, I stayed there on the weekend for a work trip, and as I was over the river it was close by. I lived on the same road on the river 12 years ago, so was interested to see how the area had changed - it was a bit of a dodgy area back then, but as said by others the pub to the south of the hotel is now shut which was my local back then. The area didn't have much soul back then, and still the case now.

Can't say anything stood out with the hotel, most staff I had contact with were pretty average, only a few that made an effort and knew what they are doing. Pity there was a lack of English staff, as even most hotels in the US have American staff on the reception at least. I guess that is the norm these days in England... The refit mirrors what others had said, I found it looking rushed and shoddy - didn't the property owner check the workmanship as the caulking job was done by someone when they were having an epileptic fit! Getting in someone to grind and restore the finish to the marble flooring would have done wonders to the bathrooms, and an opportunity missed I think.

I know it was the weekend, and leisure guests can be a handful, but the place was disorganised.

I did mention this to a mate today that is Hilton management in Europe, and his response was "I did warn you we stopped managing it and it went to franchise"

ETA, although it is provieded by BT, the wifi was unreliable, and many times wouldn't even redirect to the login page to login. Gave up and used my phone as a hotspot.