DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newbury North {GBR} (formerly Hilton)
Sep 20, 2017, 8:30 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 380
I too did not receive a cookie at check in. Breakfast did have fruits, yogurt, hot buffet items, breads, and cereals but very limited options in comparison with other Doubletrees. My wife is gluten free. I called and asked room service what options were available for her. The response: "I don't know."
At one point, there was a long line at reception and for at least 8-10 minutes not a single person was at the desk. We just waited there.
At breakfast you have to wait to be seated, but the person doing the seating also does the coffee behind the bar, which can lead to long delays.
Won't be in a hurry to return
At one point, there was a long line at reception and for at least 8-10 minutes not a single person was at the desk. We just waited there.
At breakfast you have to wait to be seated, but the person doing the seating also does the coffee behind the bar, which can lead to long delays.
Won't be in a hurry to return
May 29, 2022, 11:19 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
BUMP - I’m here Friday night on my return journey from Cornwall to break the journey up.
I noticed nobody has posted since September 2017 so I’m taking a bit of a leap of faith…..anyone had any recent experiences?
Will do the usual reporting…..
I noticed nobody has posted since September 2017 so I’m taking a bit of a leap of faith…..anyone had any recent experiences?
Will do the usual reporting…..
Jun 2, 2022, 8:41 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Ihg diamond ambassador hilton gold
Posts: 196
This is my local hilton but have only sent parents there. Hope you have a great time
We are normally just two miles away so if you are venturing further than the M4 junction and want some tips, please let me know
We are normally just two miles away so if you are venturing further than the M4 junction and want some tips, please let me know
Jun 2, 2022, 3:13 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
I have been preupgraded from a queen guest room to a queen deluxe room a few days back, I done OLCI to a room on second floor overlooking the courtyard so hopefully this will be quiet……will report back!
Jun 4, 2022, 8:50 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Arrived 11:30pm last night, car park appeared fairly full but still plenty of spaces, it’s £5 per 24hours and not comped for diamonds.
Digital key for my preupgraded room arrived @ 1-44pm but reception area upon arrival was very quiet so got a physical key too.
Two cookies and two waters given and I’m off to the room ….
Note - 2 floors and no lift!
QUEEN DELUXE ROOM - reasonably large but not huge however whilst a little worn it was clean and tidy, super king size bed ( English ) , two extra waters on desk, table and chair , robe in closet and safe.
BATHROOM - medium sized , shower over bath type arrangement , usual toiletries…clean and tidy too.
I didn’t get any photos I was simply too tired and forgot….. we slept well but mattress was very worn and we both had sore backs , nothing bad but I wouldn’t choose this room again during OLCI ( 247 ).
SPA - i managed to get an hour in here before breakfast, it’s pretty good to be honest, clean albeit small changing rooms , lockers take a £1 coin .
Pool is nice , sauna was nicely hot , steam room too….. jacuzzi was out of order.
GYM - didn’t indulge but had a quick look , basically two of everything ( cross trainers, treadmills, etc ) some resistance machines , free weights and a pulley rack.
It was fairly small but reasonably equipped.
BREAKFAST - this was great, a nice selection of fruits , cereals and yogurts ….. was half full @ 9am this morning….. hot food was hot and tasty too with a great selection …… tea/ coffee self serve….cappuccino from machine was good.
CHECK OUT - done online at 10am and posted room card in express box.
CONCLUSION - apart from the creaky, worn bed it was a solid stay, I would definitely stay again but would not choose the same room, must also mention that digital key whilst works fine is almost useless here as front desk needs to put a pin code in parking tablet before you can register car so one would have to queue regardless, kinda defeats the object.
ROOM NO - 247
NEXT PLANNED STAY - Hilton Canary Wharf ( 6 / 6 / 22 )
Digital key for my preupgraded room arrived @ 1-44pm but reception area upon arrival was very quiet so got a physical key too.
Two cookies and two waters given and I’m off to the room ….
Note - 2 floors and no lift!
QUEEN DELUXE ROOM - reasonably large but not huge however whilst a little worn it was clean and tidy, super king size bed ( English ) , two extra waters on desk, table and chair , robe in closet and safe.
BATHROOM - medium sized , shower over bath type arrangement , usual toiletries…clean and tidy too.
I didn’t get any photos I was simply too tired and forgot….. we slept well but mattress was very worn and we both had sore backs , nothing bad but I wouldn’t choose this room again during OLCI ( 247 ).
SPA - i managed to get an hour in here before breakfast, it’s pretty good to be honest, clean albeit small changing rooms , lockers take a £1 coin .
Pool is nice , sauna was nicely hot , steam room too….. jacuzzi was out of order.
GYM - didn’t indulge but had a quick look , basically two of everything ( cross trainers, treadmills, etc ) some resistance machines , free weights and a pulley rack.
It was fairly small but reasonably equipped.
BREAKFAST - this was great, a nice selection of fruits , cereals and yogurts ….. was half full @ 9am this morning….. hot food was hot and tasty too with a great selection …… tea/ coffee self serve….cappuccino from machine was good.
CHECK OUT - done online at 10am and posted room card in express box.
CONCLUSION - apart from the creaky, worn bed it was a solid stay, I would definitely stay again but would not choose the same room, must also mention that digital key whilst works fine is almost useless here as front desk needs to put a pin code in parking tablet before you can register car so one would have to queue regardless, kinda defeats the object.
ROOM NO - 247
NEXT PLANNED STAY - Hilton Canary Wharf ( 6 / 6 / 22 )
Last edited by wizla; Jun 4, 2022 at 8:54 am Reason: Typo
Jun 4, 2022, 9:55 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Where the digital key was really useless was one Hampton where it didn't work the lift, and the front desk said it was a known problem...
Plus you have to go to the front desk anyway if you want DT cookies.
Jun 4, 2022, 12:40 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
Well, if there's a queue you could go straight to the room and then come back later to register the car, that's what I do as I'd rather not have to stop when carrying my stuff up to the room.
Where the digital key was really useless was one Hampton where it didn't work the lift, and the front desk said it was a known problem...
Plus you have to go to the front desk anyway if you want DT cookies.
Where the digital key was really useless was one Hampton where it didn't work the lift, and the front desk said it was a known problem...
Plus you have to go to the front desk anyway if you want DT cookies.
I don’t normally bother with the cookies as they are so calorific but yes they was welcome with a cup of tea on this occasion after dinner 6 hours back and a 200mile drive… talking of tea they had twinnings rather than that horrid H + G rubbish.
Last edited by wizla; Jun 4, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Jun 5, 2022, 2:37 am
#42
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Brentwood
Programs: BAEC silver, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 111
We also had solid albeit functional experience. Pre upgraded to 2nd floor Queen deluxe (213). Surprised about no lift. Also worn and lumpy mattress but did sleep well. I did notice that the windows opened as well as AC being good. Staff all seemed welcoming and I'm told they are happy to serve drinks from bar all night as long as you room charge post 10pm. We arrived at 8.30pm so ordered a couple of starters from the restaurant menu to have either some wine in the (very quiet) bar. Food mediocre really. Next morning we used gym. Pretty standard, a little tired but did the job. Typical hilton one of two treadmills out of order... had water machine but no small towels.
At breakfast they were trialling table service orders on hot food when we were there. Not sure if it was just as they were quiet? The F&B manager was actively seeking feedback on it from guests who had been there for buffet day before. I think its a good concept to reduce waste and not have eggs that dry out under heat lamps but they do need a menu on table if they are going to ask for table orders.
On reflection it was solid. Something about the atmosphere and student hall type corridors that i can't quite decide on... trying to decide how I feel about this place vs our usual m4 stopover at Swindon... Time will tell i suppose next time what the gut feeling is when we make trip.
At breakfast they were trialling table service orders on hot food when we were there. Not sure if it was just as they were quiet? The F&B manager was actively seeking feedback on it from guests who had been there for buffet day before. I think its a good concept to reduce waste and not have eggs that dry out under heat lamps but they do need a menu on table if they are going to ask for table orders.
On reflection it was solid. Something about the atmosphere and student hall type corridors that i can't quite decide on... trying to decide how I feel about this place vs our usual m4 stopover at Swindon... Time will tell i suppose next time what the gut feeling is when we make trip.
Jun 5, 2022, 3:17 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,397
We also had solid albeit functional experience. Pre upgraded to 2nd floor Queen deluxe (213). Surprised about no lift. Also worn and lumpy mattress but did sleep well. I did notice that the windows opened as well as AC being good. Staff all seemed welcoming and I'm told they are happy to serve drinks from bar all night as long as you room charge post 10pm. We arrived at 8.30pm so ordered a couple of starters from the restaurant menu to have either some wine in the (very quiet) bar. Food mediocre really. Next morning we used gym. Pretty standard, a little tired but did the job. Typical hilton one of two treadmills out of order... had water machine but no small towels.
At breakfast they were trialling table service orders on hot food when we were there. Not sure if it was just as they were quiet? The F&B manager was actively seeking feedback on it from guests who had been there for buffet day before. I think its a good concept to reduce waste and not have eggs that dry out under heat lamps but they do need a menu on table if they are going to ask for table orders.
On reflection it was solid. Something about the atmosphere and student hall type corridors that i can't quite decide on... trying to decide how I feel about this place vs our usual m4 stopover at Swindon... Time will tell i suppose next time what the gut feeling is when we make trip.
At breakfast they were trialling table service orders on hot food when we were there. Not sure if it was just as they were quiet? The F&B manager was actively seeking feedback on it from guests who had been there for buffet day before. I think its a good concept to reduce waste and not have eggs that dry out under heat lamps but they do need a menu on table if they are going to ask for table orders.
On reflection it was solid. Something about the atmosphere and student hall type corridors that i can't quite decide on... trying to decide how I feel about this place vs our usual m4 stopover at Swindon... Time will tell i suppose next time what the gut feeling is when we make trip.
As for Newbury against Swindon I feel Swindon was definitely more modern but it’s the spa at Newbury that wins it for me , I love to sauna and swim before breakfast…… room wise I had a suite at Swindon which was far superior to my queen deluxe at Newbury so would be unfair to judge on rooms.
Overall I agree with your thoughts, both solid stays although both rooms had creaky beds which was annoying.