vindesante

Having stayed at the Islington a couple of months ago I will definately agree with you Karen, the concierge service left a bit to be desired. In fact the fellow on duty early in the day was not knowledgable at all. I do think the gentleman that came on late morning for the rest of the day was at least more willing and somewhat more able. In all I was quite pleased with my stay though and as it was July it was nice to have AC! Also we got excellent value for money at GBP85/night for 4 people including the full english breakfast buffet which was good.

Gaza

Nick

I thought the Hilton National brand died a few years ago?? In any case the Islington was ex-Stakis never part of the "National" brand.

newK2

Just stayed there this past Sunday, nice hotel if not fancy (seemed like a euro-Garden Hilton). Got a 40 pound rate that made it excellent value for money.

Karen2

OK you win. For 40 GBP I would go back. Exactly good description: a Garden Inn. Got a letter of apology from the manager about the restaurant staff and internet. They are going to work on the internet problems. He was appalled that the service in the restaurant was so poor. yada yada. We had a 78 GBP rate mid-week, inc breakfast (but no rolls at 630 AM!) and I thought that was good. However, I think leisure rates are going way south now that tourism has ground almost to a halt.

writetorich

I too was sorely disappointed by this hotel.
Further, the location, not withstanding drtoobee'raves, was nothing special.

DOC 2 BE

Well, I've returned to the boards so I'll respond. Rich, I am sorry you did not enjoy your stay, but honestly, I don't think that anyone can say that my above post constitutes a "raving" review.

Nevertheless, I have stayed at the hotel quite recently -- 2 days prior to New Year's when I switched to the Trafalgar -- and I had another excellent experience. I was upgraded as a Gold to a King suite that had an office off of the bedroom.

I found the hotel quite convenient for the tubes, especially for anyone coming in from Gatwick, as the ThamesLink train can leave you at a tubes stop right on the line to the hotel. What's more, is the fact that the neigborhood is absolutely splendid, with plenty of inexpensive-moderate trendy/ethnic restaurants in abundance. Moroever, many of them are open quite late by London standards.

Finally, I paid 65 GBP VAT included, and as a Gold, not only did I receive an upgrade, we received comp breakfast for 2, as well.

I saw the health club and it was quite big with a pretty nice-sized weight room. No pool, but 3 whirlpools.

Gaza

If you want to be surrounded by tourist tat then you are correct. However, if you want to see a real piece of London where Londoners live, then it is excellent. I agree with Doc 2 Be that the choice of restaurants is excellent. I'm am not a great fan of London but I do enjoy this part of town.

DOC 2 BE

Ahh, I forgot to add that it is a short 15 min walk from the hotel to the tube stop and suburban rail line and then 2 stops on the latter to Hackney where the Burberry's Outlet is located!

Karen2

I am not sure it is even 15 min to the tube. We scoped it out the day before and walked ourselves and our luggage to the stop early in the AM, onto the tube and a cheap trip to Heathrow! The location and neighborhood were fine. We even revisited the spot where Carrier's Restaurant once was.

schriste

A Motel 6 is actually pretty nice. I had not stayed in one for many years until two months ago when I stayed at two in the Southwest. They were refurbished, had incandescing lighting, orgasmatron showers, and the bed was reasonably comfortable.

The major downside is they are always 6 feet from the freeway, but on the plus side there is no way you can be charged anything other than your room rate. They also have cable TV with zillions of channels rather than just the handful major hotel brands provide. There is no concierge, so you don’t have to worry about how good s/he is. Only $34.95 too!
comfortable.

DOC 2 BE

I was not referring to the Angel tube stop, which is about a 10 min walk if you have luggage. I was referring to the tube stop at the other end of Upper street that you take to the Burberry's Outlet in Hackeny.

However, I suggest that you give the place another chance if you are Gold elite or above for you almost certainly will get an upgrade.

I can't disagree with you re the Metropole as I really like the place and the hotels are just not comparable, although the Metropole's immediate neighborhood some might find less than desirable. However, the Metropole was significantly more expensive than the Islilngton for the days that I had booked.

nyc6035

I didn't find anything definative on this property in a thread search.

Anyone know what the amenity is at this property? Apparantly the Hotel doesn't have a lounge.

Thanks.

squeakr

it's a dinky biz hotel in an outer suburb so I wouldn't expect too much...

JadedTraveler

I had some comments a while ago, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/004776.html

The staff had an atty-tude, and did not, after asking, acknowledge anything on upgrades nor breakfast certs. I don't recall a lounge, and I doubt I'd stay there again.

On the plus side, however, it's in a great area for hanging out in bars and eating at hip restaurants.

Wudy15

I my experience at most UK Hiltons if you have no benefits in the room tell the hotel front desk staff you are GLD/DIA and ask them to have the room "Clubbed up". This almost always ensures Bathrobes,Water,Potato Chips and often a bottle of Wine.
It was a Staff member at the Edinburgh Airport Hilton that gave me the tip.

Cheers

Alan