Hilton London Docklands Riverside Hotel

I booked this through lastminute.com through one of their 'Mystery Hotels' offers, paying £80 for both of us for one night, excusive of breakfast. When I found out it was a Hilton, I was disappointed as I'm definitely not a fan of Hiltons as I find them very 'samey' and not as up-market as they like to portray themselves. Still, I felt it was a good price for a London hotel. I phoned and asked about parking and there was free parking "for as long as I liked" which was interesting - more on that later!

On arrival at the hotel, I sent OH in to find out where we could park as the level by reception was full. OH came out clutching a pass and said we could find plenty of parking in car park 2. We found it easily and used the pass to get into the underground car park, where there was plenty of space. We then went to check in. I asked for a river view room, which they told me would be about 10 minutes to get ready, which was fine and we went into the ordinary Hilton Bar to get drinks whilst we waited. The bar has a good view of the river and a terrace if the weather is good (which it wasn't, being November).

We then went to get our room pass and went to find our room, down lots of very tired looking, gaudily carpeted corridors. We found the lift and got in... The lift 'voice' is hilarious! She sounds as if she's suffering from depression as she tells you which floor you're at - it had me in stitches! The room was small and ordinary. The bathroom small and tired looking. The view was fantastic! Although we had a side of river view, we could see Canary Wharf over one side of the river and at the back of the hotel the gherkin. Shame the windows were dirty on the outside, but you can't have everything.

The shuttle to Canada Water tube station was very good. We never had to wait longer than 10 minutes and we caught it twice from the hotel and twice from the tube station. Staff seemed friendly and helpful enough. The free car parking was a bonus as we checked out, left our car there and went via the hotel shuttle into the city for the day. I do wonder though how long we could actually have parked there for as the pass was given to us before we'd checked in, so nobody knew who we were. There were cars down there in the hotel spaces that had obviously been there for sometime. One particlar one that was covered in a layer of dust had a tax disc on that expired in 2007! We returned the card into the box for that purpose, but wonder how many other people don't and can therefore return again and again...

All in all I got what I expected - an ordinary hotel, with the plus of parking, shuttle, friendly staff and great view. Oh, and the bed was very comfortable!

We stayed at the Hilton – Docklands back in July for a couple of nights. As this was a special occassion (my husbands birthday) I upgraded to the suite. The room was fantastic and the views of the Thames out of this world both by day and night.

The staff were very helpful.

Breakfast was as expected! Unbeatable - afterall it was the Hilton! We had lovelly weather so sat outside watching the world and the boats go by.

It is a little out of the way, but travelling by the Thames Clippers is a great way to get around and well worth the experience. Also the hotel have a courtesy bus to take you to the nearest tube.

The Blacksmiths Arms just up the road, is a pub run by a Thai lady and Irish gentleman – so you can expect the best of welcomes!

I would happily recommend this hotel.

The Hilton Docklands Riverside Hotel is situated on the south side of the River Thames opposite Canary Wharf. It is very remote and in recognition of this a free hotel mini-bus service operates every 15 minutes to Canada Water tube station on the Jubilee line.

As an indication of the remoteness they do not have a concierge desk but a travel desk to book limousines etc to get guests to where they want to go. At weekends the Thames Clipper service does not start until 9am. I used the hotel travel service and a one way trip to Canary Wharf cost £15. You can also get the Hilton mini-bus to Canada Water and go one stop on the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf.

This is a large hotel made up of renovated old dockside warehouses giving it some individual character. This character is emphasised by the old sailing ship preserved on the hotel site next to the hotel main entrance.

I had a single room and the amenities available according to the hotel WEB site were not compatible at all. I did not even have a light switch by my bed. I was not convinced my bathroom extractor fan was working either. The TV alarm was also 7 minutes slow so if catching a particular flight or train service this needs to be taken into account.

The sports amenities for hotel guests are excellent and the swimming pool is worth a visit to relax in. If you do not fancy a swim there is also a Jacuzzi. Also a pampering service is available next to the sports complex for both men and women called Amethyst (amethyst therapy.com).

The hotel food is mainly of the buffet style. Breakfast is a buffet with a good variety of options available. Before entering the Terrace restaurant was a table with orange juice and Brut champagne for you to enjoy. If the breakfast is not included in your room rate the cost was £17.95 per person. I did not think this good value so recommend missing breakfast and eating when arriving in central London at a cafe of your choice. If having the hotel breakfast then eat it Al-Fresco on the hotel terrace if the weather is fine. The sun rises over Canary Wharf and bathes the hotel terrace in fresh morning sunshine. The terrace canopies have heaters in them to ward off any cold. If it is too inclement then ask for a window seat in the restaurant to enjoy the views of Canary Wharf while dining.

The evening meal is also buffet style in the Terrace Restaurant and was £23 per person. A good wide selection of food is available but again not really value for money. The hotel does go to the trouble of having its own kids buffet menu.

The Terrace bar also has a bar menu and is cheaper than the restaurant. A copy of this menu is in your room as it is the room service menu as well.

A good option for your evening meal is to take the 2 minute Thames Clipper service to Canary Wharf. As you walk up the gangway there are restaurants with Al-Fresco dining. In the evening the summer sun bathes these restaurants with natural light. If you do not want to cross the river then the Blacksmith Arms outside the main entrance to the hotel serves Thai food.

The hotel has many free daily newspapers for guests to take so no requirement for to order a paper to be delivered to your room.

The C10 bus service stops right outside the hotel and off peak takes 18 minutes to St Thomas’s Hospital. St Thomas’s Hospital is adjacent to the London Eye and just over the Westminster Bridge from the Houses of Parliament. The problem is you require a ticket before boarding the bus. This means going on the Hilton mini bus to Canada Water Tube to purchase a Day Travel Card (in Sept-09 a 4 zone off peak day travel card cost £6.30). The C10 bus does start its journey to Central London from Canada Water tube station. Only do this if the hotel travel desk does not know of a closer Transport for London ticket vending machine.

This Hilton is clearly geared to the weekday corporate customer from across the Thames in Canary Wharf. This client base is catered for by a 2 minute service every 10 minutes across the river from the Hilton’s very own pier on the Thames Clipper service. The Thames Clipper service is the best way to get to and from central London if time is not of the very essence. From Hilton pier the overall journey probably takes about 10 minutes longer than getting the tube or C10 bus. This Clipper service is not yet fully part of the London transport system but if you have a Travel Card you do get a discount on your Clipper ticket. I recommend you get a day travel card from Canada Water return to the hotel on the free mini-bus then board the clipper service. Again only do this if the hotel travel desk does not know of a closer Transport for London ticket vending machine.

The Thames Clipper service from Hilton Pier serves The London Eye, Tower of London, Shakespears Globe, Tate Modern, Greenwich, the O2 and Royal Arsenal Woolwich.

Thamesclippers.com for more information.

To walk between the sights in central London use walkit.co.uk to print off your walking routes.

Would I stay here again? Yes if I can again get a good low rate. I paid £66.13 per night with breakfast included.