Introduction: Situated opposite the 350 acres of open space at Hyde
Park is the London Hilton Park Lane Hotel
. The hotel first opened in 1963
having been designed by William B. Tabler Architects. The 28 floors reach 331
feet (101 meters) affording wonderfully panoramic views over London. The hotel
has become synonymous with London and still referred to as 'THE' Hilton, despite
being one of many such branded hotels within the capital. Enjoying an enviable
location on the edge of one of the countries most affluent and desirable areas,
Mayfair. Many large companies have offices here just to take advantage of this
internationally known address. Mayfair is largely a mix of residential
apartments and corporate offices with top brand shops. Located here are roads
such as Bond Street, which attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to
its reputation for the best in upmarket jewellery and fashion. The Hilton Park
Lane hotel is
actually at the south end of Park Lane (a busy main road) a short stroll from
Hyde Park Corner. Just the other side of Hyde Park Corner is another popular
park, Green Park, which marks the start of the grounds of Buckingham
Place (0.5 miles). Also off of the corner is Piccadilly which offers some
excellent shopping with names like
Fortnum and Mason. Just
over half a mile to the north of the Hilton Park Lane is
Marble Arch,
which also marks the start of Oxford
Street, one of Europe's busiest shopping streets and very much geared
towards the tourist. London's famous West End and hectic nightlife centres
around
Piccadilly Circus less than a mile to the East. In fact a few minutes taxi
ride in any direction will find a host of some of London's bet known
attractions. A selection of which include Apsley House (former home to the Duke
of Wellington, known as number One London) (0.16 miles), Wellington Arch
(0.21 miles), Michael Faraday Museum (0.45 miles) and the
Queens Gallery
(0.54 miles). London's top attraction of the
London Eye
(Millennium Wheel) is 1.3 miles away just on the other side of the River Thames
by Westminster Bridge.
Hotel:
An internationally renowned hotel, the Hilton Park Lane offers 5 star service
and facilities and a choice of no less than 6 restaurant and bars. Full
concierge services.
The hotels bedrooms have marble bathrooms (with bathrobes, hairdryer, telephone) and
come in a range of room sizes.
All bedrooms are modern in style, are air-conditioned and
use soothing calming colours in their decor. Large windows ensure plenty of
daylight and air-conditioning ensures your comfort. Bedrooms have views either over Hyde Park
or the surrounding area of London. In-room amenities include minibar, flat
screen television with on demand movies (at least 37 inches screen), safe, high
speed internet access (charges apply), tea/coffee maker, desk, phone (with auto
wakeup and dataport).
Standard and deluxe Rooms: 22m
² to 25m².
Executive rooms are decorated with a burgundy colour scheme and include a
trouser press and give access to the executive lounge.
25m².
All suites are at least 64m
², have executive lounge access, a fax
machine, separate lounge and bedroom area with an en-suite bathroom.
Room service is 24 hours and Kosher food is available. Daily newspapers
delivered to room. Connecting rooms possible. (can be requested but subject to
availability). Floors have lift access.
Dining:
Galvin at Windows Bar: 98 seats. Located at the top of this 28 floor
hotel with views over the surrounding area. A lavish and glamorous environment
for this cocktail bar with a bar menu that includes such items as Oak smoked
salmon and piquello peppers on toast. Open 10.00 till 01.00 (Monday till
Thursday), Friday till 03.00, Saturday: 17:30 till 03:00, Sunday: till 22:30.
Galvin at Windows Restaurant: Elegant styled a La Carte restaurant. 108
seats. Also on the top 28th floor with three hundred and sixty degrees of view,
right around the restaurant, makes for a stunning setting. The central part of
the restaurant is raised from the floor to give better views. Serves seasonal
contemporary French haute cuisine. Open 07.00 till 22.30 (Sunday till 14.30),
closed between 10.00 and noon and 14.30 till 18.00 (Saturday 10.30 till 18.00),
(Sunday 10.30 till noon).
Trader Vics: 290 seats. Is an exotic restaurant and tropical bar and
known for its Mai Tai cocktail. Serves a French Polynesian style menu. Features
Tiki carvings on the walls. Open 12.00 till 01.00 (Monday till Thursday, Friday
till 03.00), Saturday 18.00 till 03.00, Sunday 18.00 till 23.30.
Pop Bar: 40 seats. Lively Champagne bar. Pommery Champagne served in mini
bottles. The setting is one of gold/cream colours with leather chairs. Open
16.00 till midnight.
Podium Restaurant (was the Park Brasserie): 120 seats. Had a £500,000
refurbishment in 2007 overseen by designer Aukett Fitzroy Robinson. Decorated
with silver leaf and ivory glass and American style window blinds. A la carte
restaurant serving contemporary seasonal European cuisine and located within the
hotels lobby. Open 07.00 till 01.00 (Sundays till midnight).
The Whisky Mist at Zeta:240 seat capacity. Newly opened in June 2008 and
created by Nick House & Piers Adam. There are two bars and a nightclub/dance
area. Offers a range of drinks including vintage wines, Champagnes and
Cocktails. A feature is being able to drink from large containers such as a
Victorian trophy cup which costs around £2000 to fill. The restaurant serves a
menu that includes smoked salmon, mini burgers, potted shrimps and Aberdeen
Angus steak.
Open: 17.00 till 02.00 (Closed Sunday)
Dedicated business centre providing fax, internet access, Secretarial Services,
Photocopies and Transparencies, Mobile phone rental and Courier Service. Open
07.00 till 19.00, Saturday 09.00 till 13.00, closed Sunday.
WiFi in all public areas.
The Hilton Park Lane has 5 meeting rooms that have a capacity for between 20 and
50 guests. 3 of these are especially suited as boardrooms centred around a
single large table. These are all located on the business level on floor four. A
6th room on the first floor is suited to large events and is called the Grand
Ballroom with a capacity for up to 1,200 guests. In total there are 13 function
rooms/conference rooms.
The Hilton Park Lane hotel has an onsite health club (Hilton Fitness by Precor) with sauna, steam
room and solarium, as well as a well equipped gym (cardio machines, free eights,
stretching area, personal trainers). Open 06.30 till 21.00 (from 08.00
weekends). 3 massage and spa treatment rooms also with complex open 10.00 till
22.00 (till 18.00 weekends).
Onsite unisex hairdresser open 09.00 till 18.00.
Hotel offers luggage storage facilities. Florist and gift ship within building.
Hotel provides currency exchange service.
Parking: Available. Underground car park with 200
spaces. (charges apply)
Room Numbers: 450 / 28 floors
Check-in: 15.00 (3 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon (express late check-out options)
Awards:
Top business hotel in UK (Businesstraveller.com 2009)
World Travel Awards: England's Leading Business Hotel 2007/2009
Visitbritain.com-Enjoyengland.com 2007 awards: Large Hotel of the Year
'Silver Award'
Galvin @ Windows restaurant: Tatler's Restaurant Awards 2007 "Best Front of
House"
Visit London 2006: Best large hotel
History:
Originally opened as the London Hilton in April 1963 with 512 bedrooms starting
at $14 and standing 328 feet high. At the time of opening the Hilton had 5
restaurants and 5 bars.
The hotel was the target of a bomb planted by the IRA (Irish Republican Army, no
longer active) which took the lives of 2 people (further 63 hurt) on 5th
September 1975.
A fire broke out at the hotel on 1st July 2011 requiring all guests to be
evacuated, about 1500 people at the time (incuding pop star will.i.am, Status
Quo, Tinie Tempah and celebrities Annie Lennox and Liza Minnelli). The fire was
believed to have started in a generator on the lower roof. 4 fire engines and 20
fireman attended the blaze.
