Hilton London Angel Islington {GBR}
Apr 10, 2019, 11:30 am
#151
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Arrived 2-30pm, no pre upgrade as hotel is sold out so I took the step of securing a top floor double guest room as booked, no upgrade on arrival but this is understandable.
Room to be fair is quite nice double is an English queen and comfy, view is of inner courtyard and near lift but is quiet, two waters, nice decor and a reasonable size.
Bathroom is ok, no bath but monsoon shower, again a reasonable size too.
Popped to lounge for a coffee at 3pm, no afternoon tea as such but Alpen bars and posh crisps ( chips if you are from the USA) .
Did notice that there was only take away cups ,and fridge has cans of cola and lemonade rather than bottles, no big deal but not very executive .
Now gonna use gym and then back to the lounge for evening service. I’m not expecting anything great but will engage an open mind ......will report back!
Room to be fair is quite nice double is an English queen and comfy, view is of inner courtyard and near lift but is quiet, two waters, nice decor and a reasonable size.
Bathroom is ok, no bath but monsoon shower, again a reasonable size too.
Popped to lounge for a coffee at 3pm, no afternoon tea as such but Alpen bars and posh crisps ( chips if you are from the USA) .
Did notice that there was only take away cups ,and fridge has cans of cola and lemonade rather than bottles, no big deal but not very executive .
Now gonna use gym and then back to the lounge for evening service. I’m not expecting anything great but will engage an open mind ......will report back!
Probably the most disappointing canapés I’ve ever seen, tasty but poor selection.
BEERS - budvar
SPIRITS - none .
WNE - red white and rose ( no fizz )
CANAPÉS - chicken wings, tortilla chips, Italian ham on bruschetta, tomatoes on bruschetta and crudités.
My lady is vegetarian and is very disappointed......we are off to the gate restaurant which claims to be the best vegetarian restaurant in London so that’s the saving grace, it’s a 10min walk from hotel..
Will report back!
Apr 10, 2019, 12:20 pm
#152
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
....... lounge has emptied out now, just us and four others.....I thought this would be packed as the hotel is sold out but not the case.....some southern fried chicken strips have just appeared which are very nice indeed. Tastes identical to KFC.
I’m drinking budvar tonight as the wine is undrinkable......will report back!
I’m drinking budvar tonight as the wine is undrinkable......will report back!
Apr 10, 2019, 1:05 pm
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,578
Budvar and tanker wine: not very executive is it?
Why don’t they have spirits? It’s in the brand standard. Litre of Gordon’s is £10 in Morrisons.
Is that just another example of a standard that applies to some hotels but the rest of them just ignore it and the muppet franchisees who respect the brand standard are laughed at by those who don’t. Corporate are pathetic at enforcing this.
Why don’t they have spirits? It’s in the brand standard. Litre of Gordon’s is £10 in Morrisons.
Is that just another example of a standard that applies to some hotels but the rest of them just ignore it and the muppet franchisees who respect the brand standard are laughed at by those who don’t. Corporate are pathetic at enforcing this.
Apr 10, 2019, 2:59 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Budvar and tanker wine: not very executive is it?
Why don’t they have spirits? It’s in the brand standard. Litre of Gordon’s is £10 in Morrisons.
Is that just another example of a standard that applies to some hotels but the rest of them just ignore it and the muppet franchisees who respect the brand standard are laughed at by those who don’t. Corporate are pathetic at enforcing this.
Why don’t they have spirits? It’s in the brand standard. Litre of Gordon’s is £10 in Morrisons.
Is that just another example of a standard that applies to some hotels but the rest of them just ignore it and the muppet franchisees who respect the brand standard are laughed at by those who don’t. Corporate are pathetic at enforcing this.
Apr 11, 2019, 12:15 am
#155
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
To be fair restaurant breakfast looks good but as the lounge won’t be open again until 6-30pm tonight what about those who want to grab a tea/coffee during today?....poor!.
Talking of the gym it’s on the 4th floor, it’s quite small but the equipment is new....... two treadmills, a cross trainer and a bench with free weights up to 20k, I was in there last night and it was empty.
I will use the gym again this morning and then onto breakfast.......will report back!
Apr 11, 2019, 2:03 am
#156
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Dante's 6th Circle
Programs: British Airways, Hilton Hhonors, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 80
....... lounge has emptied out now, just us and four others.....I thought this would be packed as the hotel is sold out but not the case.....some southern fried chicken strips have just appeared which are very nice indeed. Tastes identical to KFC.
I’m drinking budvar tonight as the wine is undrinkable......will report back!
I’m drinking budvar tonight as the wine is undrinkable......will report back!
Hopefully it was at least cleaner than my last visit there!
Apr 11, 2019, 2:50 am
#157
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Now about to check out and head over to Doubletree Tower of London.....will report back with my conclusion later.
Apr 11, 2019, 8:09 am
#158
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,021
They stopped putting out the spirits early last year from memory after they got cleaned out a couple of times by guests who clearly didn't mind abusing the hospitality. They will still offer some limited spirits from the bar, but you need to ask. Not sure on what system they currently have in place for it. At one point Diamonds got vouchers for the bar, specifically for spirits, but I think it then went down to more of a 'if you know, you ask' system with a few regulars. I haven't been since February, but no problem getting a few spirits when I asked.
Apr 11, 2019, 9:34 am
#159
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
They stopped putting out the spirits early last year from memory after they got cleaned out a couple of times by guests who clearly didn't mind abusing the hospitality. They will still offer some limited spirits from the bar, but you need to ask. Not sure on what system they currently have in place for it. At one point Diamonds got vouchers for the bar, specifically for spirits, but I think it then went down to more of a 'if you know, you ask' system with a few regulars. I haven't been since February, but no problem getting a few spirits when I asked.
Checked out swiftly and I’m on my way.
CONCLUSION- it’s not a bad hotel in fact it’s okay, the lounge is poor and probably the worst selection I’ve encountered but it was tasty, I would stay again but only for convenience not leisure
ROOM NO - 415
NEXT PLANNED STAY Doubletree Tower of London ( I’m here now )
Apr 16, 2019, 8:29 pm
#160
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BOS
Posts: 827
",,,we will be investing over a million pounds into the ground floor of the Hilton London Angel Islington this summer.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
Apr 17, 2019, 12:44 am
#161
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
",,,we will be investing over a million pounds into the ground floor of the Hilton London Angel Islington this summer.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
Apr 17, 2019, 2:46 am
#162
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Dante's 6th Circle
Programs: British Airways, Hilton Hhonors, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 80
",,,we will be investing over a million pounds into the ground floor of the Hilton London Angel Islington this summer.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
Enhancements include:
Remodeled Reception and Lobby area
Brand New Bar and Restaurant concepts
Brand New Grab and Go section
Brand New Executive Lounge
There will be some disruption to the ground floor between 13 May and 15 September 2019 in order for us to carry out these works. There will be no works on the bedrooms floors during this time.
Please Note: The Axis Bar & Restaurant will be closed between 13 May and 31 July. During this period we will be providing a very limited breakfast service at the hotel. The old Executive Lounge will be closed from 13 May until 15 September 2019 whilst we create a brand new larger Executive lounge."
Per hilton.com for the above, so I have award reservation as a Gold this summer for Red Sox/Yankees games. Thinking of switching to DoubleTree Islington, which does have an executive lounge, bus out front and Angel station 5 minutes away and access to a neighborhood with what appears to be interesting selection of restaurants,etc. Hilton 60,000 daily points works best for me and the Islington neighborhood seems to be a plus. Should I make the move as DT does have award availability?
.
I'm very pleased to learn of the renovations, a new, larger EL will def tempt me back!
Last edited by MoodyB; Apr 17, 2019 at 2:48 am Reason: Old age
Apr 17, 2019, 5:00 am
#163
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,021
I always preferred the Hilton to the DT, despite staying more at the DT recently. With a limited breakfast provision, plus all the associated renovation work, I would be 100% at the DT instead. Both hotels are close to all of the stuff in the area, so no real up or downside in terms of location by switching. The Hilton is a bit quieter in the rooms, whereas some at the DT are poorly noise proofed. That is about my only negative for the place though.
Apr 17, 2019, 8:24 am
#164
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BOS
Posts: 827
Apr 17, 2019, 9:33 am
#165
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORF
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold, CAM Card
Posts: 392
My guess is that he was referring to The Island Queen, not far east of the Islington entrance to Regent's canal. I've walked by it and it gets good reviews, but I've never tried it. Also not far from this Islington entrance to the canal is the Charles Lamb, a nice small pub in a quiet neighborhood. I used to frequent The Bull, also on Upper Street, but I was horrified to discover last month that they refurbished the place since I was last there and got rid of their cask conditioned ales. For Sunday roast, I'd recommend The Crown Islington (116 Cloudesley Rd), a Fullers-owned pub with good food. It's a few blocks west of the Hilton in a quiet residential neighborhood, easily walkable.