[ARCHIVE 2016 to 2019] DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in or near London {GBR}
Jan 2, 2019, 11:25 am
#481
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
I have not stayed at the Trafalgar, but really enjoyed my last visit to the Conrad. I am fussy about breakfast and thought that their restaurant breakfast on my last stay was one of the best in quality and variety of any Hilton property at which I’ve stayed outside of Asia. As a gold I wouldn’t expect an upgrade, but if you’re ok with that, location is good for sightseeing and breakfast is great.
Jan 2, 2019, 7:04 pm
#482
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 35
I debated between the same hotels for a visit last spring and was happy with the Trafalgar. I got upgraded to a King room, and the room was very large by London standards. The location is ideal, and the hotel was completely remodeled recently so everything is in great condition. I thought the continental breakfast they provided was very good (fresh croissants and pastries, cereals, fruit, sliced meat and cheese), but you might get a full breakfast or more options at the Conrad. I walked by the Conrad and while it is still fairly central, the area is more office buildings and won’t have the same easy access to multiple lines of public transit that Trafalgar Square does. I would look at distances to places you want to go on google maps and make the choice from there, but pauleeepaul’s assessment is probably correct about picking between a slightly more upscale hotel and a little more convenient location.
Edited to add that I believe the Conrad had rooms with two twin beds at the standard reward rate, which the Trafalgar doesn’t have, if that matters for your kids.
Edited to add that I believe the Conrad had rooms with two twin beds at the standard reward rate, which the Trafalgar doesn’t have, if that matters for your kids.
Jan 2, 2019, 8:04 pm
#483
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: HIlton Diamond, Delta , Southwest, Amex Corp Plat, AA
Posts: 184
I debated between the same hotels for a visit last spring and was happy with the Trafalgar. I got upgraded to a King room, and the room was very large by London standards. The location is ideal, and the hotel was completely remodeled recently so everything is in great condition. I thought the continental breakfast they provided was very good (fresh croissants and pastries, cereals, fruit, sliced meat and cheese), but you might get a full breakfast or more options at the Conrad. I walked by the Conrad and while it is still fairly central, the area is more office buildings and won’t have the same easy access to multiple lines of public transit that Trafalgar Square does. I would look at distances to places you want to go on google maps and make the choice from there, but pauleeepaul’s assessment is probably correct about picking between a slightly more upscale hotel and a little more convenient location.
Edited to add that I believe the Conrad had rooms with two twin beds at the standard reward rate, which the Trafalgar doesn’t have, if that matters for your kids. And I did see that at one time there were twin rooms but those aren't available.
Edited to add that I believe the Conrad had rooms with two twin beds at the standard reward rate, which the Trafalgar doesn’t have, if that matters for your kids. And I did see that at one time there were twin rooms but those aren't available.
Jan 3, 2019, 12:14 am
#484
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 111
If you prefer rooms with a tub.. I always find making a note when booking helps, this has sometimes led to an upgrade for me for them to fulfil the request.
Jan 3, 2019, 2:25 pm
#485
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Agree with the other posters, given your criteria, you're better off at the Trafalgar in my opinion. The boys will love the vibrancy of the location and hotel (it has a 'young' feeling to it). You'll love the ease of access and walkability to everywhere central or through the undergroundl. Not much to fault really, except that it will be popular and so not sure about what upgrade you may or may not get. A good idea to ask for a bathtub in one room and see if they can grant that.
The Conrad is lovely and is also quite central but for 4 people and sight-seeing, the Trafalgar is likely best.
Enjoy your trip to this great city, safe travels.
Please do consider coming back and posting about your experience to help others in future as well regarding hotel choice and other points that we may take for granted or have missed!
The Conrad is lovely and is also quite central but for 4 people and sight-seeing, the Trafalgar is likely best.
Enjoy your trip to this great city, safe travels.
Please do consider coming back and posting about your experience to help others in future as well regarding hotel choice and other points that we may take for granted or have missed!
Jan 5, 2019, 9:10 am
#486
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: HIlton Diamond, Delta , Southwest, Amex Corp Plat, AA
Posts: 184
Please Note, The Rooftop will be closed until 21st March 2019. The Trafalgar Dining Rooms will be closed from 11th February to 17th April 2019. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Just saw this on the website. I sent an email to the hotel this a.m. asking what the breakfast arrangements are if the dining room is closed! So annoying.
Just saw this on the website. I sent an email to the hotel this a.m. asking what the breakfast arrangements are if the dining room is closed! So annoying.
Jan 10, 2019, 1:49 am
#487
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
We (husband and I) are spending three nights in London in September. We stayed at the Conrad last year and absolutely loved it but it is sold out for our dates this year, which is surprising 9 months ahead of time. I’ll definitely keep any eye on it to see if it opens up. The Metropole, Trafalgar St. James and the Hilton Tower Bridge are an obscene amount of points (premium awards only).
I see the DT Kensington is being rebranded as a Curio in March. At 50k points, it is a bargain. Any idea if it is a full reno and will this be a good deal for 50k? i.e. is it likely to increase and should I jump on it now or is it really still just a DT?
I have narrowed it down to the below. As I am now a lowly Gold, a lounge won’t be in the cards unless I get a miracle upgrade. Criteria is: a great breakfast (as a Gold) and close to a tube station, like no more than a couple minutes walk.
Waldorf 80k. Leaning towards this but what is the breakfast like for a Gold?
Bankside 70k
Park Lane 80k
Hilton Paddington 70k
DT Westminster 60k
DT Hyde Park 50k (like the price and the walk in the park, but it’s a DT)
DT Kensington (soon to be Curio) 50k See question above.
Thoughts?
I see the DT Kensington is being rebranded as a Curio in March. At 50k points, it is a bargain. Any idea if it is a full reno and will this be a good deal for 50k? i.e. is it likely to increase and should I jump on it now or is it really still just a DT?
I have narrowed it down to the below. As I am now a lowly Gold, a lounge won’t be in the cards unless I get a miracle upgrade. Criteria is: a great breakfast (as a Gold) and close to a tube station, like no more than a couple minutes walk.
Waldorf 80k. Leaning towards this but what is the breakfast like for a Gold?
Bankside 70k
Park Lane 80k
Hilton Paddington 70k
DT Westminster 60k
DT Hyde Park 50k (like the price and the walk in the park, but it’s a DT)
DT Kensington (soon to be Curio) 50k See question above.
Thoughts?
Jan 10, 2019, 1:56 am
#488
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 304
I didn't like the DT Kensington last time I stayed, as they had closed the lower ground floor restaurant for evening meals, and the only option was the small bar area just off reception. If you have the points I would always suggest Bankside. If you get an exec room upgrade, the lounge is fantastic, otherwise breakfast in the restaurant is decent. Waldorf has an element of grandeur about it, and a good spread for breakfast. DT Hyde Park is a nice hotel, with good views, and some rooms have balconies. Breakfast was OK here. Don't recall any of these hotels restricting breakfast items for the free 'continental' breakfast gold benefit.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:15 am
#489
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
I didn't like the DT Kensington last time I stayed, as they had closed the lower ground floor restaurant for evening meals, and the only option was the small bar area just off reception. If you have the points I would always suggest Bankside. If you get an exec room upgrade, the lounge is fantastic, otherwise breakfast in the restaurant is decent. Waldorf has an element of grandeur about it, and a good spread for breakfast. DT Hyde Park is a nice hotel, with good views, and some rooms have balconies. Breakfast was OK here. Don't recall any of these hotels restricting breakfast items for the free 'continental' breakfast gold benefit.
I like the idea of DT Hyde Park just to be able to go for a walk in the park and Notting Hill seems like a cool place to walk around. How much of a step down is the DT from the Bankside?
Other than breakfast, on-site dining isn’t a big deal. If the Bankside is an easy upgrade, then lounge access would win me over. We loved the afternoon lounge offerings at the Conrad.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:32 am
#490
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 304
In every aspect other than location, I would suggest.
Quite a bit. Bankside still has that 'New Hotel Smell'.
All my own opinion, but after staying in most of the London Hiltons, I would always opt for Bankside if budget allowed it. Don't bank on a room upgrade to executive for lounge access though, I have had limited success there in recent times, but thankfully get access as a Diamond.
Quite a bit. Bankside still has that 'New Hotel Smell'.
All my own opinion, but after staying in most of the London Hiltons, I would always opt for Bankside if budget allowed it. Don't bank on a room upgrade to executive for lounge access though, I have had limited success there in recent times, but thankfully get access as a Diamond.
Jan 10, 2019, 5:42 am
#491
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Waldorf breakfast is very good but does get very busy and queuing happens frequently, have you considered Hilton Canary Wharf?, it's across the road from the DLR stop ( south quay) in a nice area and 20mins from downtown London .
Jan 10, 2019, 11:34 am
#492
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
I did consider Canary Wharf but only premium awards available at 190k.
Jan 10, 2019, 11:37 am
#493
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
In every aspect other than location, I would suggest.
Quite a bit. Bankside still has that 'New Hotel Smell'.
All my own opinion, but after staying in most of the London Hiltons, I would always opt for Bankside if budget allowed it. Don't bank on a room upgrade to executive for lounge access though, I have had limited success there in recent times, but thankfully get access as a Diamond.
Quite a bit. Bankside still has that 'New Hotel Smell'.
All my own opinion, but after staying in most of the London Hiltons, I would always opt for Bankside if budget allowed it. Don't bank on a room upgrade to executive for lounge access though, I have had limited success there in recent times, but thankfully get access as a Diamond.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:04 pm
#494
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Jan 10, 2019, 3:27 pm
#495
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
I also think you’ll find that the Conrad opens up closer to the date of your trip. I’ve seen it sold out (or pricing crazy high) several months out and then open rooms at a reasonable price one to two weeks before my trip.