Hilton Olympia ends up on Medallists' Podium
Written: Sep 01 '05 (Updated Sep 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comfortable, friendly and pretty stylish London hotel
Cons: The movie channel didn't work properly. Minor criticism.
The Bottom Line: Relaxing, good-quality London hotel where the staff seem to take a pride in looking after their guests
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| andymcf's Full Review: Hilton Olympia |
Hilton fan, though I may well appear to be, it was Priceline who, at a very reasonable £45 for the night, selected this hotel for me. Rarely, I was away-from-home-alone at a Meet-and-Greet in London and I'd booked the stay well in advance. The price was exceptional value, and being an Hhonors Gold VIP, I was pleased to have been allocated to the Hilton, even if its location was not entirely convenient for my proposed meeting on the other side of town, in Fleet Street. And, anyway, it's well connected by buses and tubes (ie underground trains), so what the hell? I was a very happy bunny.
And then Al Q'aeda (it's alleged) decided to start bombing London - specialising, in a somewhat incompetent fashion, in tubes and buses. I thought long and hard. Do I avoid the terror and stay at home, or do I make a statement and go to meet what turned out to be a group of really nice people who'd congregated from miles and miles away? At the eleventh hour, I decided not to be defeated. Nothing to do with losing £45. More to the point, I'd have missed out on meeting some great people (and you know who you are) and would have missed out on the opportunity to stick a finger or two up at the most incompetent pseudo-terrorists of the century. Dammit - I travelled on the tube and bus almost out of defiance. But enough of that...
A short tube ride brings you to High Street Kensington station. Probably more convenient than the more obviously named "Olympia", but it's only a brisk walk or bus ride to the hotel and - hey - that's what you really wanted to read about. So here goes. Sorry; no baby Josh element here - just the thoughts of a single traveller; rare, from me - but possibly relevant!
I'd walked from High Street Kensington tube station and saw the hotel easily. You can't miss it, and I walked into a stylish and welcoming lobby. Check-in was not only quick and efficient but - given that I'd booked via Priceline I was surprised, yet delighted, to note that the Hhonors Gold card I placed on the counter started reaping rewards. No room upgrade this time, although that wasn't really necessary anyway, but I was offered a free breakfast. And breakfasts in London hotels never come cheap. I was allocated a room on the first floor and was dealt with in an extremely curteous and friendly manner.
Up I went in the lift. Great room. London hotel rooms are small and this wasn't really an exception, although it was certainly big enough for my needs. It was, however, well laid-out and well equipped. The room and bathroom were clean and the bed was very comfortable. Had the infamous 3-year-old Josh (Who, bless his cotton socks, is a bit of a "bull-in-a-china-shop") been there, it might have been less adequate but, given that I was there alone, and looking forward to an afternoon of pretty serious drinking with some new friends followed by a place to simply crash out in some degree of style, it was absolutely fine. I'd very happily stay there again.
I looked at my watch and realised that I had some time to kill before venturing east and the words of the very friendly receptionist directing me to the "Plum Bar" on the first floor (convenient!) were ringing in my ears. It needed to be tested out and I was determined that it wouldn't escape inspection. Off I went. It was a large space; comfortable, with friendly staff, good drinks at good prices (for a London Hotel). The ambience suited me down to the ground and I had a very relaxing drink.
I descended down non-functioning escalators to the ground floor and caught a bus to Fleet Street.
I then had a few beers and went on the London Eye. Both are highly recommended. But that's got precious little to do with the hotel.
I returned. It would have been rude, I think, not to re-visit the Plum Bar, and, when it comes to it, I consider myself to be very polite indeed. A very pleasant Harvey-Wallbanger later found me alone in my room. Before retiring, however, I remembered that I hadn't ordered a newspaper for the morning. I teetered down to reception to see if it was too late to order one. In a way, it was. Being a member of Hhonors, however, it wasn't. It was delivered promptly the next morning. Hats off!
Movie-of-the-month was "Meet The Fockers". I decided to treat myself. I booked it. It was, however, completely unwatchable. No - not the alcohol; the TV screen was jumping around all over the place due to some kind of technical fault. I 'phoned reception and - to their credit - a member of staff was in my room within five minutes, fiddling with cables, slapping the TV (like you do) and doing all the non-technical sorts of things we all try in desperation when the TV won't work properly. It was, however, to no avail - but he did have the decency to cancel the movie charge from my bill there and then.
Time for bed - and a great sleep ensued. Unusually - since it was free, I suppose - I attended breakfast. I don't really "do" breakfast, but the juice, coffee, cereals and toast worked wonders. Those with a less-minimalist approach, however, shouldn't worry. The couple next to me had piled their plates higher than Mount Everest itself with cooked items and could quite happily have gone back for more. I'd never seen a breakfast quite like it and retired to my room to call Sherpa Tensing before checking out, as efficiently as I had checked in.
Don't let the terrorists win. Visit London and, if you decide to do so, this is not an altogether bad place to lay your proverbial hat.
Andrew
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
andymcf
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Member: Andrew McFall
Location: Canterbury, Kent, England
Reviews written: 74
Trusted by: 132 members
About Me:
Maths teacher. Father of young Josh. See below!
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