Review: Hilton London Bankside

• WHAT´S IT LIKE?

In the middle of Bankside sits Hilton's latest London property – the Hilton London Bankside. Located on Great Suffolk Street, it is a perfect location for a weekend retreat. I decided to give it a try when I had to remain in London for a late night event.

The whole hotel has a fresh design and, to some extent, breaks with the traditional Hilton concept. Lots of wood has been used to create a pleasant atmosphere inside.

What really strikes you as you reach the hotel is how friendly the staff appear. I was greeted by two bellmen outside and another staff member inside who then lead me to the counter where I was checked in.

• AMENITIES
• The hotel offers a fitness room as well as an indoor swimming pool in the basement. For those interested in conferencing, the hotel offers a large ballroom as well as meeting rooms.
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For those holding Hilton Honors Diamond status or staying in an Executive room, there is a spacious Executive lounge that provides breakfast in the morning and some light snacks in the evening. In the evening, alcohol is also provided free of charge.

• DINING
• As I was attending a function in the evening, I didn't get to try the restaurant menu, but given the level of service during breakfast and the quality of the food, I would assume it would be well worth a visit.

Breakfast was a wonderful experience. Staying in an Executive room, I had the option of having breakfast in either the Executive lounge or in the main restaurant. I opted for the latter as the staff had recommended this during check-in.

Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by a hostess who took down my details and showed me to my table. I was told that it was a self-service buffet and that cups of coffee and tea were available from a machine. This was not quite correct though as within seconds of the hostess disappearing, I was approached by a server who graciously offered to bring me whatever drinks I desired. I opted for a pot of coffee and went to inspect the buffet.

The selection offered was well beyond what I've come to expect from Hilton and it is presented in a very pleasant manner. Eggs and omelets are available for order from a chef and the usual suspects such as bacon, sausages, etc. are available from a hot section of the buffet.

• ROOMS
• The rooms are beautiful, with dark green tapestry and light wood panels creating a nice ambiance. In my King Executive Room, the bed makes up the centerpiece of the room with a small desk/work area hidden behind the headboard.
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In front of the bed a large flat screen TV rests on the wall, just above the bench hiding the minibar and coffee maker. I found a note in my room stating that snacks and non-alcoholic items from the minibar were free of charge which I found to be a nice touch.

In the bathroom, tiles decorate the floor and walls in different colours. The shower includes a rainforest style showerhead as well as a traditional one, and in the ceiling a large speaker is connected to the TV so you never have to miss out on the sound from the show you are watching.

• SERVICE
• The service level at this Hilton property is excellent. One has to go to a Conrad or a very good Hilton in Asia to see the same level of service. By the time I reached the check in counter, I had already been greeted by 3 different employees, one whose job it seemed to simply assist customers in finding their way – everyone with a smile on their faces.

The property seems to employ the same style as some Conrads at the check-in counter, with the staff frequently walking around the podium to talk to the customer. Just as I was expecting to receive my keys, I was a bit surprised to see the check-in staff escort me to my room. This is not a level of service I expect from a Hilton property.

Another surprise was that as I returned from my function, I found that housekeeping apparently provided an evening turndown service. I returned to my room to find that the blinds had been pulled shut, a towel and a pair of slippers had been placed next to the bed and all the toiletries and towels had been refreshed. The bed had also been remade and no longer showed any signs of me sitting on it.

• CONCLUSION
• This property is well worth a visit. It is truly a Conrad disguised as a Hilton as far as service is concerned and I suspect it may be rebranded in the future.