[ARCHIVE to 2019] Hilton London Bankside {GBR}
Oct 14, 2018, 6:23 am
#571
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Free minibar items should not be a problem as there are Tesco and Sainsbury´s right outside the hotel entrance... My next stay there will be Wed-Thu and I will report back. Stayed there around 30 times so far and only once was upgraded to a suite, usually to a deluxe room. Decline in service quality bit by by bit has been distinctive during this year.
Oct 14, 2018, 6:54 am
#572
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
Oct 14, 2018, 7:01 am
#573
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Free minibar items should not be a problem as there are Tesco and Sainsbury´s right outside the hotel entrance... My next stay there will be Wed-Thu and I will report back. Stayed there around 30 times so far and only once was upgraded to a suite, usually to a deluxe room. Decline in service quality bit by by bit has been distinctive during this year.
Oct 14, 2018, 8:11 am
#574
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: London
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC Gold (OWE)
Posts: 204
Does sound like a huge shame the direction they are taking.. I havent been in awhile due to the high rates and company policy but sounds like the hotel is now charging more and offering less.
While still leaders in terms of their offerings its such a shame to see a hotel cutting back so much. Direction from above?
While still leaders in terms of their offerings its such a shame to see a hotel cutting back so much. Direction from above?
Oct 14, 2018, 8:44 am
#575
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
ready for consumption...
Oct 14, 2018, 9:18 am
#576
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
That would be a huge shame if they have......that yogurt goes very well with the Bankside granola and the almond milk.......has anyone else noticed that this hotel appears to be changing from a great hotel into a good hotel?....... they slowly seem to be cutting back in every area.
@Winniesbestfriend said they thought it was becoming a conference hotel and if it is the deterioration in quality doesnt surprise me.
Oct 14, 2018, 12:21 pm
#577
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
It certainly sounds like things arent as luxury as they once were which is a shame.
@Winniesbestfriend said they thought it was becoming a conference hotel and if it is the deterioration in quality doesnt surprise me.
Oct 14, 2018, 12:29 pm
#578
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
That would be a huge shame if they have......that yogurt goes very well with the Bankside granola and the almond milk.......has anyone else noticed that this hotel appears to be changing from a great hotel into a good hotel?....... they slowly seem to be cutting back in every area.
Oct 14, 2018, 1:01 pm
#579
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
Currently showing as #51 of 1,087 on TA, which seems pretty impressive when there are many more expensive hotels in London.
I wonder if position 51 is better or worse than 1 year ago?
Oct 14, 2018, 2:47 pm
#580
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: HH Diamond,Virgin Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 248
I have noticed significant changes with Hilton Bankside aswell which is a real shame as Bankside was our favourite Hilton in London
guest relations manageress had always been so helpful to us in the past
last stay this was not the case, quite blunt and nowhere near as accommodating as the dozen or so previous stays
we have not returned recently as the rates have been much higher in 2018
used to be able to stay here on a Friday and Saturday for around Ł125 a night
rates have been nearer Ł200 this year for Fri and Sat
ranking on Tripadvisor has been in the 50s and 60s range for a long time
maybe a drop in rankings will slowly filter through in 2019
guest relations manageress had always been so helpful to us in the past
last stay this was not the case, quite blunt and nowhere near as accommodating as the dozen or so previous stays
we have not returned recently as the rates have been much higher in 2018
used to be able to stay here on a Friday and Saturday for around Ł125 a night
rates have been nearer Ł200 this year for Fri and Sat
ranking on Tripadvisor has been in the 50s and 60s range for a long time
maybe a drop in rankings will slowly filter through in 2019
Last edited by PaulH1; Oct 14, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Oct 14, 2018, 9:07 pm
#581
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
Still my #1 Hotel in London - & so much better than any other Hilton (TB is close) - 3 nights booked for next Spring GBP485 all in (Honors flex rate) - very happy.
Oct 16, 2018, 12:26 pm
#582
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA 1k.
Posts: 296
I spent this past weekend at the Bankside, Friday through Sunday.
Positives: nice shower in the room, helpful concierge, excellent breakfast. Lounge was decent, food choices just fine.
Negatives: no upgrade whatsoever. Claimed to be full, but when we checked in at 3pm suites were still available. I was told we would be getting a "very nice room." Fine it was, with a view of a wall (7th floor). I was also told we could help ourselves to the minibar, which is free. Free it was and also completely empty. Finally, I asked for late checkout. We were first given a 2pm checkout and a manager then moved this to 3pm, although a bit reluctantly. We finally asked to pay for the 6pm checkout, which was granted at 20 GBP/hour. Back to the executive lounge: service in the lounge was mediocre to nonexistent.
I do not typically stay in hotels in London, or Europe in general. My main stays are in South East Asia. In that context, my stay at Bankside was nothing to talk about.
Positives: nice shower in the room, helpful concierge, excellent breakfast. Lounge was decent, food choices just fine.
Negatives: no upgrade whatsoever. Claimed to be full, but when we checked in at 3pm suites were still available. I was told we would be getting a "very nice room." Fine it was, with a view of a wall (7th floor). I was also told we could help ourselves to the minibar, which is free. Free it was and also completely empty. Finally, I asked for late checkout. We were first given a 2pm checkout and a manager then moved this to 3pm, although a bit reluctantly. We finally asked to pay for the 6pm checkout, which was granted at 20 GBP/hour. Back to the executive lounge: service in the lounge was mediocre to nonexistent.
I do not typically stay in hotels in London, or Europe in general. My main stays are in South East Asia. In that context, my stay at Bankside was nothing to talk about.
Oct 27, 2018, 8:43 am
#583
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
I am staying here quite regularly since late September and love the place, compared to almost all other Hiltons (and the 2 IC's) it is a great property, ticks all my boxes, service has always been good for me and it is a 10 minute walk to the office.
I do like the CP City at Blackfriars but the Hilton is better in every respect but for a few more minutes to walk to work.
I do like the CP City at Blackfriars but the Hilton is better in every respect but for a few more minutes to walk to work.
Nov 14, 2018, 2:22 pm
#584
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 77
This is my favourite property in England.
As a diamond I have received upgrades on every stay. The lounge is beautiful, rooms are modern and also to a high standard, and the breakfast is great in the restaurant.
It is normally available for incredibly reasonable prices, and you can walk to the tube to get to the city centre in 5 mins, where the underground will only take another 10 minutes to get central - so worth it for the price.
The one very sad piece of news is that David, director of guest relations is leaving the property - he has always been fantastic and his passion comes through in the rest of the staff. Hopefully his replacement will be able to maintain the great service levels at this property.
As a diamond I have received upgrades on every stay. The lounge is beautiful, rooms are modern and also to a high standard, and the breakfast is great in the restaurant.
It is normally available for incredibly reasonable prices, and you can walk to the tube to get to the city centre in 5 mins, where the underground will only take another 10 minutes to get central - so worth it for the price.
The one very sad piece of news is that David, director of guest relations is leaving the property - he has always been fantastic and his passion comes through in the rest of the staff. Hopefully his replacement will be able to maintain the great service levels at this property.
Nov 25, 2018, 1:16 pm
#585
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orange County and oftentimes London
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, HH Diamond, AA EXP, VS Gold, BAEC Silver, Global Entry, UK RT
Posts: 539
Fabulous As Always
First time back since February and it never disappoints, This is by far my go-to in the capital. Checked in yesterday and upgraded to a jr suite. Service and staff are top notch as always. I took breakfast in the restaurant and service was excellent. We were looked after very well. The executive lounge this evening has a very nice, relaxed vibe. Got some work done while having some glasses of fizz and the selection of canapés was very nice. Might hit up The Distillery for a night cap in a bit. Staying until Tuesday and then it's off to Cambridge. I am staying at the Hilton Cambridge City Centre for the first time so will post on relevant thread. Looking forward to my stay there.