sarahluv

Don't forgot that advance tickets on HEx offer a significant saving on the list price.

luke5111

My family lives in and around London so I don't often stay at hotels when I'm over there but, when I do, I will pick HEX and Hilton Paddington any day. Short train ride from LHR and I'm then positioned for any place in the city that I want to be and have plenty of pub and restaurant offerings within walking distance.

Finkface

Looking for advice on a cert/points stay for a few days starting next June 1. I love the Conrad St James, we stay there every year but inexplicably, they are sold out for the first few days of June. Will keep looking in hopes that it opens up but if not, what would be the next best option? We love the Conrad for the lounge and the walkable location and tube station right across the street.

A lounge and a good Diamond breakfast is super important, as well as some good afternoon or evening fare (I love the afternoon tea offerings at the Conrad). Next would be location, as in walkable to some things, close to a tube for everything else. Less fussed about a huge room as long as it isn’t the size of a closet. In reading this thread, I am thinking the Park Lane? Paddington would be great for the HEX but it sounds tired and dingy. Trafalgar? Or is that too crazy touristy?

Bartolo

You might want to reconsider your dates. Jubilee celebrations at that time. One of my friends booked her accommodation two years ago.

Finkface

So that's what it is. I wondered. I checked Wimbledon dates and searched but couldn�t see anything. Is it a bad time to be in London?

Bartolo

Well, if you want to be part of the celebrations, it�s a good time.

However, by this point I assume accommodation is scarce and very expensive. Surely will be crowded. Who knows what the Covid situation will be like then. UK PM said yesterday he is giving up the idea of vaccine passports.

Try to go before or after. Or, get �adopted� and stay with the newly acquired relatives. Not sure what you like to do in London but I wouldn�t be surprised if most things will close for a bank holiday. That happened for the previous jubilee.

Finkface

The last time I looked, all of the other Hiltons still had standard room awards available. Except the Conrad. But I can easily change the dates. After you posted last night, I looked it up. Seems an extended bank holiday so I bet a lot of things will be closed as you said. I will just switch dates around and come later. Thanks for the heads up.

corporate-wage-slave

I doubt rooms at the Conrad are booked up for the Jubilee, most Brits wouldn't have that on the radar at this point. I suspect it is a coach or group and that rooms will become available nearer the time. Some hotels do constrain capacity over the longer term to force up rates so keep looking. I think it would be a good time to be in London, shops, museums, attractions will generally be open, even though it's an unusually long bank holiday weekend. Plus the usual entertain options and things like ABBA Voyage.

As for alternatives, I think Bankside is your better bet and take a taxi to/from Paddington. You do lose a bit of centrality and the tube is slightly further away but it's not out in the sticks. If you do prize centrality + tube then it is Park Lane, though the lounge option isn't as good. Trafalgar doesn't have a lounge at all, but the location is unbeatable. Metropole's lounge may be an outsider, it's good for HEX and tube stations, it has a lounge just not as good as Conrad / Bankside. Their breakfast is on similar level and there are lots of food options on the doorstep. But overall I'd book Bankside on a semi-flex rate or points, and then switch over if the Conrad becomes viable.

Finkface

Thank you, as always CWS. The HEX isn�t a must and in fact I have never used it. I have always just taken the tube so Bankside it shall be. We are spending the last night out at HGI T2 as we have an early flight out the next morning so there is no rush to get to LHR. Thanks to all who chimed in.

mhy

Just stayed in Conrad for a week. Location was excellent, although unfortunately on the day of my flight home the Tube station across the street was completely closed so I had to get to the HEX from Victoria. I think the value is good for what I paid (~230 GBP a night for King Deluxe, upgraded to Executive King). Service was good and free breakfast was nice (Gold status)

The lounge was open but bare bones service, I understand the drinks etc are done in another area of the hotel (near lobby?) but I did not partake as it did not work with my schedule. I had only booked a Deluxe room with no lounge access so it was a nice plus anyway.

Was pleasantly surprised at the quality as I wasn't expecting too much given the price point and the central location. I'll definitely return

hugolover

Sounds like the lounge is reduced again?

David7

Could anyone perhaps recommend a Hilton property in London that offers the best experience for Diamond members? (Best lounge offering and breakfast).
I used to be in London more frequently but have no idea what is still available and what has changed with COVID.
Location does not really matter and the prices seem the same for most properties for the dates I am looking (Bankside, Waldorf, Conrad all around 230 GBP for a semi-flexible rate).
Thanks a lot in advance!

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

I think the Bankside is near the top of the list ( Lounge is very good, breakfast is taken in the lounge but you can take items from the restaurant throuugh a connecting door according to recent reports ( when I was there in July the lounge was open in the evening and afternoon but not for breakfast)
The Conrad breakfast for diamonds is very good also ( anything off the a la carte menu ( the pancakes were excellent) plus the self service section ( on request they gave a box of pastries to take away). Lounge is ok for soft drinks and tea and coffee and evening alcoholic drinks but evening snacks are limited compared to Bankside.
No recent experience of the Waldorf ( although the executive lounge has just reopened)

Regards

TBS

Laura Bunts

Heading to London in any 2 weeks and need to choose the best overall hotel for likely upgrade for a Diamond member and overall Diamond Member amenities ( Executive Lounge) any special perks. Trying to convince my hubby that this crazy expensive travel credit card is worth it for the perks .. We may rent a car or take a transit from Gatwick if available. We are there 2 nights for the first time ever and then on to Southampton to head back to the US on a ship. Any suggestions / recommendations will be appreciated!!

Finkface

Welcome to FlyerTalk! I love the Conrad. My favorite property in London. Excellent location, right across the street from a tube station, walkable to lots of great sights. The lounge is excellent with a great afternoon tea and breakfast is awesome. Always my choice in London.

p.s. i also answered your question in the resort credit thread. None of these are considered resorts and therefore are not eligible for the Amex resort credit.