This is part of a continuing series of my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts while traveling to attend concerts worldwide. This stay was during my extension trip throughout Eastern Europe and London in December 2013. This review is for the Hilton London Tower Bridge. I have stayed at this property multiple times, so this is an updated review.
Property: Hilton London Tower Bridge
Location: London, England
Address: 5 More London – Tooley Street, London SE1 2BY, England (London Bridge)
Phone: +1 888 414-2018
Website: www.hilton.com
Room Type/Class: Executive Level (Room 1215)
Date: December 15 – December 22, 2013
TripAdvisor Page/Reviews: LINK
Booking Source: Tingo
Overall Rating: 5/5 [Note: Score is totally subjective based on price, location, and comparison to “like” properties within same area and price range]
I have stayed at many different hotels in London over the years, and the Hilton London Tower Bridge stays at the very top of my list. Whenever I am planning another visit, my hope is to stay at this Hilton, because it is an excellent hotel with the very best customer service, and I love the location. Stepping out of the hotel and out toward the Thames River, and all the surrounds it, is a singularly unique experience for visitors to what is also my favorite city in the world.
I have published a prior reviews of this property, so this latest update will not differ much, apart from falling in love with this hotel more and more with each visit.
The property itself feels very “new” in every way. The lobby area is quite large, with two restaurants, a bar, and lots of places to sit and relax. There is also a concierge desk which was always staffed and they were always extremely helpful as well.
I was coming into London from the U.S. quite early in the morning, and staff were able to accommodate an early check-in as well as a few other special requests. They have always been extremely prompt and courteous and so very helpful.
The room I was booked it was on the 12th floor, near the top. It was of a good size for a London room (though small by U.S. standards). As with past stays, this room was very nicely appointed, nice furniture, and a comfortable king-sized bed with a “real” mattress (unlike a lot of UK beds, which are frequently two smaller mattresses side-by-side or futon-like non mattresses, both of which can be uncomfortable).
Unusual for a London room, it featured both a soaking tub as well as a separate stall shower. And unlike most London hotels, you don’t feel like you are going to fall trying to get in and out of either.
The room features some closets with some shelving, but there is no where else in the room to store your clothes for an extended stay, so I would say it could get crowded with more than two people if you want to get your clothes completely unpacked out of your luggage.
There is a desk with wired or wireless Internet options (cost varies depending on your booking and your status with Hilton – it was free for me). It was appropriately fast, and fast by UK standards.
With this trip, I found that the wired ethernet connection was extremely fast.
There are a number of other in-room amenities, including a small fridge – though mostly stocked at a pay-per-use system, there is a small space for your own things. There is also a coffee/hot water maker and some dishes and glasses. There is also an electronic safe in the room, just large enough to accommodate a 15.4″ laptop and other items on top (if you place it in at an angle).
The views from the room I was in were nice enough, but nothing spectacular – mostly looking at the offices in the adjacent commercial space.
There is an awesome executive lounge on the 9th floor with an outdoor balcony with high tables and chairs with awesome views, and in inside area with couches and dining areas. There is a buffet breakfast most of the morning, wine, cheese and crackers, and appetizers in the evening, and other goodies. I had access to this as a Hilton Gold member (all gratis), but am not sure of the availability, if any, for non members. There are also a few computers to use here, and a printer (though if you need to print off your own system, make sure to bring a USB card – they weren’t compatible with SD cards). This was a fantastic amenity though; can’t recommend it enough.
In addition to all of those pluses, I can’t rave enough about the location. Fantastic.
The hotel is about a 5 or so minute walk from the London Bridge tube station (and a direct walk on the same street).
It is about a 2 minute walk to two different markets (one is probably the largest “grocery store” I’ve found in London), as well as a pharmacy, lots of take out food places, and some nice restaurants and other attractions.
For me, probably the nicest thing about the hotel is that you are about a three minute walk to the River Thames, with awesome views of the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the HMS Belfast, London Bridge, etc. It’s so awesome to stroll just outside of your hotel on a wide pedestrian-only sidewalk right to all of these attractions.
On top of all of this, I can’t say enough nice things about the staff at the Hilton London Tower Bridge.
All in all, the Hilton London Tower Bridge Hotel is far and away the best place I have stayed in London, and will definitely be returning there on my next trip, without a doubt. I can’t imagine anywhere else so perfectly matching my needs and exceeding my expectations.
Below are photos I took during my stay at the Hilton London Tower Bridge Hotel:
Jason DeBord