pauleeepaul

My first trip to London 100 years ago I rented a car at Heathrow and drove into the center, was staying at the Holiday Inn in Mayfair if memory serves. I was spending a few days in the city and then driving up north a bit. The car was an unnecessary and expensive anchor chained to my ankle, and i wound up returning it early at a city rental office, and getting another one when I was ready to head up north. Think twice about it.

And- so as to avoid any inconsistency- i will again shill for the Hilton Park Lane .

wizla

Absolutely agree, driving in London is expensive and hard work , finding parking is tricky too and again expensive, I have a stay at Bankside in November, just to drive into the congestion zone and drive out the next day is £44 and that’s without the valet parking at Hilton Bankside ( which I believe is £50 )

lcylocal

Plenty of trains from Gatwick into London. When you have decided between the various Hilton hotels I’m sure that we can provide some info on the best route/service to take.

andimilk

The two main options for LGW to London are the Southwestern train service into Victoria - about equal distance from the Hilton Park Lane and Conrad (less than a mile) or the Thameslink train into London Bridge which is less than a mile from Hilton London Bankside. The Gatwick express service is currently not running. Trains to Southampton usually leave from Waterloo, which is closest to Bankside. It is walkable from Bankside but with large suitcases you would probably want to take a cab anyway. Waterloo isn't a long cab ride from Park Lane or the Conrad either.

Definitely don't hire a car in London!! It's never worth it and it's bloody expensive as has been said before. I do drive through London occasionally but mostly I get around using the very good public transportation network. I am also a keen walker - probably walking further than most people are comfortable with. With all that said, if you choose the Conrad or Park Lane then you really will be right in the heart of the action. The location of the Conrad can't be beaten and if you've only got 2 days and probably want to do all the 'big ticket' sights rather than any of the lesser know gems London has to offer, the Conrad is probably your best bet. The majority of the major tourist sites are easily walkable from the Conrad. That's coming from someone whose favourite of the 3 I've mentioned (all of which have a decent record of treating elites well and have exec lounges) is Bankside.

As for which has the best views/catering/exec lounge/elite recognition - there's multiple up-to-date notes on these topics on each of the individual threads on the Hilton forum.

doug091363

So to save a vacation over the holidays, we've cut out everything but London. Price isn't everything, but it's not unimportant. Where is my best bet to get upgraded(I'm diamond) I know my partner and she'll need some space to spread out. With probably a minimum or 48 hours in one room, we'll need a little more space so we're not on top of each other. We'll be there 2 additional nights so I'd like it to have a lounge Thoughts anyone?

The _Banking_Scot

Hi

The hilton Bankside has quite large rooms and has a lounge. The conrad junior suites are quite large also
As the pcr test on arrival has to be taken on or before day 2 I would try to get a same day pcr test to minimise time in the room

I personally would not count on a upgrade and book the minimum room type that is acceptable and if you are upgraded it would be a bonus.

Regards

Tbs

residentx

It's London and space is a premium - so as above always book the room you'll want to spend 1 day in together rather than expecting an upgrade. The Bankside does have spacious rooms, especially in the lower categories compared to others and this property has probably the best lounge in London. The new Canopy in the city also has quite generously proportioned rooms but no lounge. The Conrad has some very small rooms, and some very large ones due to it's conversion in an old building, it doesn't have a lounge though. Hart in Shoreditch I was assigned a huge room, but again no lounge. Standard rooms in the Canary Wharf Hilton are rather large, and it has a lounge - its location further out and dated decor would put me off here though. The Waldorf has a lounge, but the rooms are small in lower categories due to the historic building.

The most generous with upgrades has been the Bankside for me, followed by the Hart, Conrad, Canopy.

I would advise to use the online check in to see floor plans and book rooms, with this you can normally find larger rooms within the category.

andimilk

The Conrad does have lounge but currently the Canary Wharf Hilton does not (we don't know if it will return, but it's been taken off the hotel amenities list)

Winniesbestfriend

Last week I heard from a manager they are “thinking” of opening next year. Not hopefull tbh as they are getting too many positive comments from people who say they enjoy the alternative. I for one don’t and will not stop telling management that I don’t!

doug091363

thanks very much, Bankside booked

lcylocal

I think the fastest option is doing one with Expresstest at the airport on arrival. They promise a result by midnight the next day. That way you should have no more than a day and half in the room. And if you are lucky you might be able to go out for dinner on the day after your arrival.

I’ve haven’t personally used them though. I’ve no idea whether they use the same labs as the NHS but my last few NHS tests have all taken 24 or 25 hours to come back.

lily23

Can anyone comment on internet speed/reliability for any of the Conrad/Trafalgar/Waldorf/100 Queen's Gate/Hyde Park hotels? Location is not that important, but may need to work a couple days on a 5 night stay so will need reliable internet. Thanks in advance!

The _Banking_Scot

Hi

At the conrad the internet was good and reliable even on the euro 2020 final in July ( England v italy) for web browsing and video streaming
Also good at park lane and bankside
Regards

Tbs

Winniesbestfriend

I’ll be taking a very early flight from City Airport and was looking into staying nearby, which would you prefer, the Hampton at £75 or Doubletree Excel at £84 ? I won’t be walking to the airport with 2 suitcases ☺️ so need either cab or dlr

The _Banking_Scot

Hi

Both are virtually across the road ( connaught bridge )from each other with the doubletree being closer ( hampton Says it is a mile from lcy)
doubletree looks as if it has a nicer view ( River View rooms) plus the cookie
For the dlr it looks like you have to go to royal Albert then head to London and change at canning town( to the lcy line)
to be honest for a single night stay and an early start it won't matter much which hotel but I personally would just pay a few extra pounds for the doubletree


Regards

Tbs