evapor8

I thought I'd start a new thread for this hotel that's due to open on 17 July 2012:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...WHI/index.html

I've booked a night here on Saturday 21st July - £85 (inc. taxes) for a King Guest room using the Great Getaway rate.

Will report back after my stay!

Chris

365RoadWarrior

Looking forward to your report: I'm booked in early August. Let me know about the fitness center, if you see it. Thanks!

raikje

Inadvertently ended up here on opening night, so a quick write up.

Hotel is located directly between Wembley Arena and the Stadium. It's all very swish and modern looking, lots of staff hovering around (though probably because it's opening night). Haven't had a good explore, but a few impressions for you:

Upgraded to an exec room as Gold. Room is nice enough and obviously modern, some photos below (excuse the poor quality camera phone shots, I don't have any of my good cameras with me). Decent size bathroom, but just a shower over the bath. No water in the room, other than the £3.95 bottle for my convenience(!), which I thought was surprising for an Exec room.

[Edit: it seems Photobucket have recompressed the photos and they have suffered very badly - I'll try and tidy them up a bit when I get a chance!]


Front entrance


Exec room


View from room


Bathroom


Desk/TV area






A few shots of the exec lounge

Exec lounge is a decent size, mix of sofas and proper tables. Arrived towards the end of drinks/canapes (7pm-9pm). Usual fare - drinks were a small selection of spirits, beer, red and white wine. Couple of small hot food options (chicken satay, spring rolls) and a reasonable array of crudites, cheese, etc. Lounge is the on the 9th (top) floor, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Wembley Stadium. At the other end of the floor, with a glass wall to the lounge, is the outside terrace area of "Sky Bar 9". However, this is only available for private functions, not to guests or the public. It was hosting an opening party this evening. Not sure if lounge guests will be able to get out there if there isn't a function on.

Sorry 365RoadWarrior, haven't been down to check out the gym/pool yet.

A few early snags - wifi doesn't work (well, BT Openzone works, but the authentication link between the hotel guest database and the wifi didn't - "Please check you have entered your last name / room number correctly"). Power sockets on the desk didn't work. Need your key to get to the rooms on the Exec floor (8th), but there are two sets of floor buttons in the lift. One set have a card reader and a sign. The other set have nothing - you just press the button, then as soon as you look away the light goes off again and the lift doesn't go to your floor...

Definitely the nicest hotel in the Wembley area, and quite an improvement on the Wembley Plaza (though with a consequent increase in price too).

365RoadWarrior

Thanks, raikje! Nice review and pictures. I'm feeling better about my decision.

evapor8

Thank you for the report and pics raikje.

Let's hope they have worked on some of the teething problems before Saturday!

Chris

evapor8

I'm in the exec lounge as I type this message.

First impressions are fantastic as I love brand new hotels. Some front desk staff are still being shown the systems, but check in was smooth and I was acknowledged as a Diamond, told about my free breakfast, told where the lounge was.

I just took my key card to head to my room when .... The fire alarms sounded and everyone was evacuated!

5 minutes or so later (false alarm!) we were back in and I headed to room 601 on the 6th floor. I was upgraded from an ordinary king guest room to a corner suite with a view of the stadium. A pic of the lounge bit is below:



Sofa is to the left of the pic, desk to the right. Through the door you can see the bathroom to the right, and the bedroom is to the left. Lovely decor. Bathroom is particularly nice.

Went to take a look at the gym for you. Pics below. Free weights, plenty of machines (looking at over the stadium for motivational purposes!) all shiny and brand new. Swimming pool is small but suitable for (short) laps. Sauna.




Lounge is on the 9th floor as was mentioned. It's very nice indeed. The canapés this evening include samosas, Thai chicken skewers, bread sticks, cheese and crackers. Very civilised. Very empty right now!

Right now ... This has become my new favourite Hilton!

Just a shame I'll not need to regularly stay here, as it's nowhere near any work I'll need to do!

Chris

Edit: wifi authentication via name and room number seems to work ok now.

BotB

Thanks for the reviews and pics raikje and evapor8 ^

Have been thinking about staying here myself and always find it helps when people do take the time to review the place and post a pic or two.

Looks great, a few teething problems that every hotel will have on opening...

365RoadWarrior

Many thanks for the comments and pics, evapor8! Helpful things like this are what make FlyerTalk great.

docgasman

Stayed here this week - outstanding service and recognition as a Diamond guest. I found the Executive Lounge to be of an extremely high standard and run along the lines of a property like the Conrad in Singapore.

Despite being outside of Central London the property is only a short walk from Wembley Park tube station which is only 3 stops from Baker Street on a fast Metropolitan Line train.

Upon arrival I was automatically upgraded to the Executive Floor, offered a choice of Executive Lounge breakfast or complimentary full breakfast in the restaurant. My room was spacious, functional and had a very nice view of the Stadium. It was quiet and well noise proofed. There was a 1 litre bottle of complimentary water as well as some nice "welcome to Wembley" cakes / fruits.

I cannot fault this stay. Any teething problems would seem to have been ironed out. I had a most satisfying and enjoyable dinner in the hotel restaurant - excellent wine list too.

The Executive Lounge has a nice relaxing outdoor area as well as being comfortable and spacious inside. An excellent property, really enjoyed staying here and highly recommend it.

365RoadWarrior

I was negligent and failed to provide a review after my stay...two stays...three stays. Yes, I enjoyed it enough that I eventually migrated there, rather than staying in Central London. This despite the fact that it was work and my employer was paying (within some pretty limiting rate limits). Great lounge, staff throughout the hotel, fitness center. Everything was clean and new. And all three stays were without incident.

hugolover

It seems like Nor1 hasn't been set up for this hotel because it doesn't show anything for my stay. AFAIK it is a normal rate that I've booked. Any experiences otherwise?

evapor8

Does anyone have an email address for this property?

My initial Google searches have been fruitless ...

Thanks,

Chris

mandc2000

Staying here now - quiet apart from Exec Lounge - staff very attentive - great for a cheap £64 rate - no fizzy stuff in lounge - tray of white chocolate covered strawberries as welcome gift in room - bathroom is huge !!!

evapor8

I'm popping back on 5 January. Got a £59 rate thanks to the Friends & Family thank you promo.

Chris

russ1h

This is my new favourite London Hilton. Received excellent treatment from all staff.

Nice suite upgrade. Great selection of bottled beers in executive lounge.

Will be returning ^^