pazza2000

A little off topic, however if wishing to use a BMG here or at the Hilton Park Lane, which property’s best flexible rate is likely to greedily earn me a few more points?

The _Banking_Scot

Hi

I suspect Park lane will be a bit more expensive so will earn a few more points generally but there may be occasions when Bankside will be dearer


Regards

Tbs

pazza2000

Thanks! Likewise, any idea on when those occasions are likely to be, for either property? I see the only blackout date via a BMG is New Years

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

No idea but for example on 13th-15th September
Park lane GBP 202
Bankside GBP 213

( most other dates Bankside is cheaper)

Regards

TBS

residentx

Just a quick update, stayed here for one night on points. I was pretty-upgraded on a points stay (with the new golden arrow notification when selecting a room). The lounge is now open and was well stocked. They now serve alcohol from the buffet from you, but happy to keep you topped up and never a queue. The staff were amazing. The room was clean, well stocked with toiletries and the mini bar had a bottle of hipster cola, lemonade and two bottles of water.

Breakfast is a serve yourself affair with very little face covering or sanitising going on. Looks like they’ve ditched the Diamond tokens and special order menus that used to be on the placemats. It was a good selection as pre-COVID though.

AussieInLondon

Here at the moment for our first stay at this hotel, very impressed especially as we’d spent the last few months visiting regional Hiltons around UK.

pre upgraded to King Executive in the app, requested a suite at FD and got a King One Bedroom. Friendly and helpful staff. Excited for the breakfast that has been very praised in this thread!

Is there any point in going breakfast in the EL or is the restaurant much better?

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

When I was there in late July, breakfast was only served in the restaurant and not in the EL so you may not have a choice ( unless it has changed)

Regards

TBS

AussieInLondon

seems it has changed now, front desk insisted we take it in the EL but did say we can take it in the restaurant if it’s not too busy

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

Thanks.
I suspect that the main restaurant will have more selection than the EL . ( perhaps try both on different days to compare?

Regards

TBS

diamond club freeloader

If you are not able to take breakfast in the restaurant - and in my experience they're happy to let you breakfast in either the EL or restaurant - bear in mind that this lounge is a cut above most Hilton Lounges. Not only is the breakfast selection excellent but - importantly- you can order food from the kitchen that's not on the buffet. I have done this mostly with egg-based dishes (omelette, fried eggs, eggs Bennie), but you might be able to get other stuff if you are after something specific (eg pancakes, French toast) because the lounge staff here tend to be very obliging. Well they were ... I haven't stayed here since pre-Lockdown 1, so that advice is based on (many) stays before that.
Enjoy ... and don't miss sampling the great granola!

Mttrnd

DP from this weekend:

HH Gold
Booked: King Guest, semi-flex, no breakfast, approx. £200/night
Pre-arrival: King Deluxe, did not check-in or request mobile key
Stayed: King Executive (upgraded at check-in)
Offered welcome drinks and snacks / sweets
FD pro-actively changed benefit to bonus points as breakfast included in EL
Complementary but somewhat sparse offering in minibar
EL was busy for evening drinks but decent service and selection
EL was surprisingly quiet for breakfast, smaller selection than restaurant but we were advised that they didn't mind us using the linking door to get items from the restaurant buffet (and lounge attendant was also taking orders for kitchen / egg chef)
Overall impressed, very good value for rate paid
Only disappointment was that all F&B options currently end at 11pm - would have been some additional spend if room service was running slightly later

pazza2000

A bit of a general question.... location aside, why would one choose Park Lane over Bankside? Holding a Hilton branded BRG, I’m not considering the Conrad in this choice.

andimilk

As a tourist - for the views. Park Lane's location and height mean it has significantly better views of London from higher rooms. Even on the top floor of Bankside, the views aren't anything special. Other than that I'm not sure but then I have a preference for Bankside anyway so maybe I'm being biased.

corporate-wage-slave

The big three selling points of Park Lane are, respectively, location, location and then location. So take that out and Park Lane loses most advantages. The views are also stunning too, from almost all floors, just better higher up. I guess this is a variant of location, but the fact that there is a big park in front of the door is useful for those wishing to exercise / walk / run outdoors, Bankside just doesn't have this facility at all. The other minor factor is that Park Lane has some staff who have worked there for decades. and sometimes experience counts for a lot.

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

Pre covid I might also suggest Dining ( as Park Lane has Galvins at Windows and Trader Vic's) as well but dining does not plkay a major factor in my hotel choice.
Possibly the'status' of saying you stayed on Park Lane may influence some people.

Location and views are key imho

Regards
TBS