Hilton London Syon Park (was Waldorf Astoria Syon Park) {GBR}
Apr 11, 2011, 6:04 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
kryten
Just booked yesterday for the Easter weekend (22 - 25 Apr). 'Spring Break' rate, 200+VAT per night, instead of the rack 350+. Will let you know if you haven't been by then.
It got a whiny review in the Mail on Sunday (Mrs C reads it, not me, honest)yesterday but we thought we'd take a look anyway. TA is positive so far but only 2 reviews I think.
Just booked yesterday for the Easter weekend (22 - 25 Apr). 'Spring Break' rate, 200+VAT per night, instead of the rack 350+. Will let you know if you haven't been by then.
It got a whiny review in the Mail on Sunday (Mrs C reads it, not me, honest)yesterday but we thought we'd take a look anyway. TA is positive so far but only 2 reviews I think.
Apr 25, 2011, 7:59 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
Mini Trip Report Pt 1
Just got home from a weekend at the WA Syon Park & will post a link to some photos in due course, although I have already geo tagged some on Google Earth right on top of the hotel (which is still showing as half built).
Check in was quick & efficient although, as with all comments on this weekend I don't think there were many guests staying at all. We were given Diamond free upgrade and escorted to our room on the second (top) flooor & shown the various bits & pieces, including an Apple TV of which more anon.
Welcome gift was a 375ml bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne with a bowl of fresh fruit and some chocolate. This did not last long. Two free (glass) bottles of water, 1 still, 1 sparkling, which were replaced after use by housekeeping.
Internet was either wired in room (ethernet cable) or wifi via BT Openzone vouchers (1 per day), which I didn't need as I get BT Openzone via my mobile provider. No problems with free vouchers for Diamond.
Room was large, decorated in greys and neutrals. Bed quite big for the UK. Bathroom had a large, again for UK, bathtub, a walk in shower with normal & rain showers. Toiletries by 'Salvatore Ferragamo'. Two bathrobes & slippers. 3 largish bath towels (not bath sheets).
There were plenty of easily accessible power points in the room, including a couple that looked like they would take non-UK plugs, YMMV so don't take my word for it.
The room had a balcony, although window ledge might be more accurate - it was just large enough for a couple of heavy wrought iron/wood chairs. We did notice that balconies on the first floor were slightly larger with room for a small table & 2 chairs, but presumed from a window count that the rooms were smaller. Ground floor rooms also had the table & 2 chairs outside.
Pt II to follow shortly...
Check in was quick & efficient although, as with all comments on this weekend I don't think there were many guests staying at all. We were given Diamond free upgrade and escorted to our room on the second (top) flooor & shown the various bits & pieces, including an Apple TV of which more anon.
Welcome gift was a 375ml bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne with a bowl of fresh fruit and some chocolate. This did not last long. Two free (glass) bottles of water, 1 still, 1 sparkling, which were replaced after use by housekeeping.
Internet was either wired in room (ethernet cable) or wifi via BT Openzone vouchers (1 per day), which I didn't need as I get BT Openzone via my mobile provider. No problems with free vouchers for Diamond.
Room was large, decorated in greys and neutrals. Bed quite big for the UK. Bathroom had a large, again for UK, bathtub, a walk in shower with normal & rain showers. Toiletries by 'Salvatore Ferragamo'. Two bathrobes & slippers. 3 largish bath towels (not bath sheets).
There were plenty of easily accessible power points in the room, including a couple that looked like they would take non-UK plugs, YMMV so don't take my word for it.
The room had a balcony, although window ledge might be more accurate - it was just large enough for a couple of heavy wrought iron/wood chairs. We did notice that balconies on the first floor were slightly larger with room for a small table & 2 chairs, but presumed from a window count that the rooms were smaller. Ground floor rooms also had the table & 2 chairs outside.
Pt II to follow shortly...
Apr 25, 2011, 9:51 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
Mini Trip Report Pt II
Some photos, hopefully.
Welcome gift.
Upgraded room bed.
Apple widescreen TV & desk.
Bathroom 1.
Bathroom 2. Note recessed TV above bath - separately controlled from main room TV.
Bathroom 3. Walk in shower.
More to follow...
Welcome gift.
Upgraded room bed.
Apple widescreen TV & desk.
Bathroom 1.
Bathroom 2. Note recessed TV above bath - separately controlled from main room TV.
Bathroom 3. Walk in shower.
More to follow...
Apr 25, 2011, 10:01 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
Mini Trip Report Pt III
And more pics.
Main entrance.
'The Deck' - 1st floor roof bar, opening May 2011
Part of outside bar area - herb garden for hotel kitchen to right.
Outside bar area.
Yet more outside bar.
Another main entrance view.
Main entrance.
'The Deck' - 1st floor roof bar, opening May 2011
Part of outside bar area - herb garden for hotel kitchen to right.
Outside bar area.
Yet more outside bar.
Another main entrance view.
Apr 25, 2011, 10:29 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
Mini Trip Report Pt IV
Back to the story. Every single member of staff we had any interaction with in the hotel was so eager to please you'd think the whole thing was a collective venture and they all had equal shares. They really did go out of their way to chat, make sure you had everything you wanted & were happy with what you had. As I said in Pt I, I think the place was so empty they were glad of something to do but hopefully they can carry on the attitude when they're full of demanding HHonors members. 
The food, whilst expensive, was superbly cooked with very good quality ingredients. Service impeccable, we listened to the maitre d'/sommelier going through a host of different wines with another guest, bringing small tasters and generally doing the job properly.
The hotel doesn't formally open until May 19th, hence some of the advertised restaurants/bars weren't operational. We were able to have a look at 'The Deck', a rooftop bar/bbq and the 'Boldt Room' which appears to be a mixed business/relaxation lounge, both on the first floor. There is no Exec Lounge at this property.
Also just off the bar there is a side room, the 'Duke's Parlour' which contained giant chess, noughts & crosses and domino sets, a massive wall mounted TV and a free to play pool table.
Cons.
No tea/coffee making facilities in our room. Found out that there are none in any rooms.
Location 1. The hotel is difficult to get to by public transport if you have any sort of luggage. The nearest rail stations (Syon Lane and Brentford) were both a good 15 minutes walk, there are also several Tube stations a little further away than the rail, Osterley, Boston Manor & Hounslow East (all Piccadilly Line), but basically if you've got cases you're going to need a cab from any of them. Heathrow is about seven miles away.
Location 2. The area outside Syon Park grounds (Brentford) is not the most salubrious I've ever seen. Morrisons was the 'posh' supermarket compared to CostCutter (for UK FTers).
Location 3. Once you've done Syon House & Gardens and maybe walked the mile or two along the Thames to Kew Gardens there's not a great deal else to do around the hotel. As noted above public transport isn't great when you have luggage but without it some combination of local bus/tube/rail will get you into central London within an hour or so.
The Apple TV. Nice shiny box. Soddin' useless performance.
Conclusion
All in all, however, we'll definitely go back. It's not cheap & it's not convenient, except maybe as an alternative to the Hilton Heathrow before a flight, but the staff were making such an effort it'll be nice to see how they do after the hotel's been open a while.
If anyone's got any questions just let me know.
Cheers
Rich
The food, whilst expensive, was superbly cooked with very good quality ingredients. Service impeccable, we listened to the maitre d'/sommelier going through a host of different wines with another guest, bringing small tasters and generally doing the job properly.
The hotel doesn't formally open until May 19th, hence some of the advertised restaurants/bars weren't operational. We were able to have a look at 'The Deck', a rooftop bar/bbq and the 'Boldt Room' which appears to be a mixed business/relaxation lounge, both on the first floor. There is no Exec Lounge at this property.
Also just off the bar there is a side room, the 'Duke's Parlour' which contained giant chess, noughts & crosses and domino sets, a massive wall mounted TV and a free to play pool table.
Cons.
No tea/coffee making facilities in our room. Found out that there are none in any rooms.
Location 1. The hotel is difficult to get to by public transport if you have any sort of luggage. The nearest rail stations (Syon Lane and Brentford) were both a good 15 minutes walk, there are also several Tube stations a little further away than the rail, Osterley, Boston Manor & Hounslow East (all Piccadilly Line), but basically if you've got cases you're going to need a cab from any of them. Heathrow is about seven miles away.
Location 2. The area outside Syon Park grounds (Brentford) is not the most salubrious I've ever seen. Morrisons was the 'posh' supermarket compared to CostCutter (for UK FTers).
Location 3. Once you've done Syon House & Gardens and maybe walked the mile or two along the Thames to Kew Gardens there's not a great deal else to do around the hotel. As noted above public transport isn't great when you have luggage but without it some combination of local bus/tube/rail will get you into central London within an hour or so.
The Apple TV. Nice shiny box. Soddin' useless performance.
Conclusion
All in all, however, we'll definitely go back. It's not cheap & it's not convenient, except maybe as an alternative to the Hilton Heathrow before a flight, but the staff were making such an effort it'll be nice to see how they do after the hotel's been open a while.
If anyone's got any questions just let me know.
Cheers
Rich
May 13, 2011, 12:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Harlow, UK
Programs: HH Gold & bunch of mainly useless other bits of plastic
Posts: 228
The pool IIRC was about 25m long, I didn't use it but was shown round the pool/spa/gym area by (yet another) helpful member of staff.
Jun 9, 2011, 1:04 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
Stayed here last Friday using a Rewards Voucher that was about to expire. We live locally so I was just keen to see what the property is like.
As has been said before don't expect a hotel in an English stately home - it occupies what was part of the car park for a garden centre and is a modern redbrick building.
What I struggle to understand is who will stay here. It's not an airport hotel and it's not close to any public transport links so to get into London you will either need a taxi or your own car. There are no real tourist attractions within walking distance apart from Syon House which is beautiful.
The reception staff were very pleasant and we were upgraded to an Estate Room next to the elevators and opposite the linen cupboard even though the hotel was eerily empty. My profile actually says "Away from elevator"!
The room is nice with a large bathroom but the AC couldn't cope on a warmish UK day and was always uncomfortably hot. Amenity was fruit, water and champagne - no complaints.
Wandered around the almost empty hotel and took quite a lot of photos. There was a professional photographer there shooting the hotel as well. The Deck is nice and the Library is a nice quite haven with an Apple Mac and a PC.
We ate in The Capability restaurant which had 6 people eating when we arrived. The menu isn't extensive but has a reasonable amount of choice - not cheap but not outrageous either with plenty of locally grown ingredients. My wife and I are not big eaters so we just ordered Mains. This caused shock and horror with our server who said that we had to have starters and wouldn't take No for an answer. Took some time for him to realise that we weren't budging - bizarre behaviour! Similarly with our meals there was a hard sell for sides and we did cave this time.
Food was good and the sides weren't required. Wine selection is pretty good with entry level wines around the 20 mark. I have the menu if anyone would like more details.
As there is no lounge at the property Diamonds don't get a free breakfast so we passed on this. Coffee maker in the room would have been nice. Checkout was easy but I as was taking a photograph of a chair my wife liked the Concierge came over and very firmly told me that no photographs are allowed - if that's the case then just put up a notice but don't hassle guests.
All in all it's a nice hotel but if I was visiting London I would stay in town. If I wanted to stay in a grand old mansion hotel then there is one very close to where I live with heaps of charm and character and half the price. The other issue is the price - I don't believe the hotel and the location make this worth the current rates - probably why the place is still so empty.
As has been said before don't expect a hotel in an English stately home - it occupies what was part of the car park for a garden centre and is a modern redbrick building.
What I struggle to understand is who will stay here. It's not an airport hotel and it's not close to any public transport links so to get into London you will either need a taxi or your own car. There are no real tourist attractions within walking distance apart from Syon House which is beautiful.
The reception staff were very pleasant and we were upgraded to an Estate Room next to the elevators and opposite the linen cupboard even though the hotel was eerily empty. My profile actually says "Away from elevator"!
The room is nice with a large bathroom but the AC couldn't cope on a warmish UK day and was always uncomfortably hot. Amenity was fruit, water and champagne - no complaints.
Wandered around the almost empty hotel and took quite a lot of photos. There was a professional photographer there shooting the hotel as well. The Deck is nice and the Library is a nice quite haven with an Apple Mac and a PC.
We ate in The Capability restaurant which had 6 people eating when we arrived. The menu isn't extensive but has a reasonable amount of choice - not cheap but not outrageous either with plenty of locally grown ingredients. My wife and I are not big eaters so we just ordered Mains. This caused shock and horror with our server who said that we had to have starters and wouldn't take No for an answer. Took some time for him to realise that we weren't budging - bizarre behaviour! Similarly with our meals there was a hard sell for sides and we did cave this time.
Food was good and the sides weren't required. Wine selection is pretty good with entry level wines around the 20 mark. I have the menu if anyone would like more details.
As there is no lounge at the property Diamonds don't get a free breakfast so we passed on this. Coffee maker in the room would have been nice. Checkout was easy but I as was taking a photograph of a chair my wife liked the Concierge came over and very firmly told me that no photographs are allowed - if that's the case then just put up a notice but don't hassle guests.
All in all it's a nice hotel but if I was visiting London I would stay in town. If I wanted to stay in a grand old mansion hotel then there is one very close to where I live with heaps of charm and character and half the price. The other issue is the price - I don't believe the hotel and the location make this worth the current rates - probably why the place is still so empty.
Jul 2, 2011, 8:39 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
I did ask when I checked in and was told that breakfast was not offered to HH members. My amenity was 1/2 bottle of champagns and a couple of pieces of fruit.
Jul 2, 2011, 1:50 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,245
Yup, W=As don't grant breakfast as a default HHonors benefit. Pretty crap, eh? It's the same at the Bentley, and will presumably be the same at the Caledonian when it changes next year.
Jul 4, 2011, 3:42 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Redmond, Wahington
Programs: British Air, Virgin, Alaska, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 154
Syon Presidential Suite
Check for business-specific rates--I've booked the Presidential suite for two nights at an astonishing 199 at the government rate. I'll post a trip report once complete.
Jul 6, 2011, 3:35 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Berkshire,ENGLAND
Programs: BA Gold,VS Gold,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 139