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Starting to think about short haul trips for 2025 – still limited as to time away (3 nights typically) so not considering further afield for now.
About to switch back to Hilton, having qualified for 2 year lounge access with IHG for 2025/26. Logic being I have Diamond with Hilton through 2025 and a load of points to use – then back to IHG for 2026 to take advantage of lounge access there.
Interested in people’s views of best Hilton in Europe for Diamonds. Especially Eastern Europe or less well trodden places. Happy to go back to mainstream locations but like many on this site I’m well travelled and always looking for somewhere new.
Thanks!
I really like the Art Deco-style Hilton Vienna Plaza. The penthouse suites are beautiful and in summer you can sit out on the balcony and look out over the rooftops. I’m only gold but we were given a table full of F & B goodies in the room for OH’s birthday last year. We didn’t have lounge access, but the breakfast is so splendid (buffet plus a la carte), I wasn’t bothered.
Would you be staying at the Hilton Hotels for the lounges, the rooms, the location (city), or a mix of the three?
There are some I’d recommend on one or more of those, but knowing the preference it would be easier to detail as to why.
Hilton Budapest is also well-respected as you mentioned Eastern Europe. It is east-ish..
Conrad Istanbul is pretty good if you get a Bosphorus view.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is a classic, I think, if you don’t mind the crowds.
I haven’t tried, but Dubrovnik Imperial is one of those I am considering for 2025.
We had a great two-night stay earlier this year at the Hilton in Belgrade. Lovely staff, great little lounge with decent food (fresh snacks during the day and proper dishes in the evening) and well appointed rooms, although not huge. The city is also interesting and we are keen to go back.
Another suggestion, if you’re not worried about the lack of lounge is the HGI in Bucharest. Very central and with decent rooms (well I was upgraded to a lovely corner room).
Would you be staying at the Hilton Hotels for the lounges, the rooms, the location (city), or a mix of the three?
There are some I’d recommend on one or more of those, but knowing the preference it would be easier to detail as to why.
A mix really. I’m flexible on location, but clearly only to the extent having investigated (if not been before) I’d want to go. I appreciate this is very person specific, but for me that means smaller/prettier cities, or those with a particular draw eg sea/mountains/spa or a historical angle. Lounges are important, if good – some I’ve experienced have been amazing, some awful. Rooms less important – if I’m upgraded to a suite great, but I’m equally comfortable in a smaller room…
I really like the Art Deco-style Hilton Vienna Plaza. The penthouse suites are beautiful and in summer you can sit out on the balcony and look out over the rooftops. I’m only gold but we were given a table full of F & B goodies in the room for OH’s birthday last year. We didn’t have lounge access, but the breakfast is so splendid (buffet plus a la carte), I wasn’t bothered.
Looks great. I’ve been considering the Vienna into Bratislava option…
Hilton Budapest is also well-respected as you mentioned Eastern Europe. It is east-ish..
Conrad Istanbul is pretty good if you get a Bosphorus view.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is a classic, I think, if you don’t mind the crowds.
I haven’t tried, but Dubrovnik Imperial is one of those I am considering for 2025.
Been looking at Budapest – last went 20 years or so ago. Did have IC booked there for Christmas market this year but have since re-thought location.
Istanbul/Venice also not visited for some time.
Spent 5 nights in Dubrovnik Imperial with wife/kids earlier this year. Couldn’t recommend it enough – we loved it.
We had a great two-night stay earlier this year at the Hilton in Belgrade. Lovely staff, great little lounge with decent food (fresh snacks during the day and proper dishes in the evening) and well appointed rooms, although not huge. The city is also interesting and we are keen to go back.
Another suggestion, if you’re not worried about the lack of lounge is the HGI in Bucharest. Very central and with decent rooms (well I was upgraded to a lovely corner room).
Belgrade is an interesting thought – had toyed with idea a few months back. Will re-look at with Hilton hat on.
Stayed in Bucharest about 6 months ago. At IC Athenee Palace. No more that average I’d say.
The lounge at Budapest and the river view rooms were excellent, Dubrovnik lounge and location of the hotel were also excellent, Vienna Plaza lounge was useful at breakfast as the restaurant is too cramped,
lovely views at Sorrento but a poor lounge offering.The lounge at Budapest and the river view rooms were excellent, Dubrovnik lounge and location of the hotel were also excellent, Vienna Plaza lounge was useful at breakfast as the restaurant is too cramped,
lovely views at Sorrento but a poor lounge offering.We had a great two-night stay earlier this year at the Hilton in Belgrade. Lovely staff, great little lounge with decent food (fresh snacks during the day and proper dishes in the evening) and well appointed rooms, although not huge. The city is also interesting and we are keen to go back.
Another suggestion, if you’re not worried about the lack of lounge is the HGI in Bucharest. Very central and with decent rooms (well I was upgraded to a lovely corner room).
Belgrade is an interesting thought – had toyed with idea a few months back. Will re-look at with Hilton hat on.
Stayed in Bucharest about 6 months ago. At IC Athenee Palace. No more that average I’d say.
Belgrade is a very interesting and attractive city and quite a few very good day trip options. Have visited twice in last twelve months and planning a much longer Serbia/Balkan trip for next year. I stayed at the Hyatt. The Hilton looks to be an odd location? They are building a Waldorf Astoria on the river and there’s an SLH hotel Saint Ten which I don’t know, but is apparently well regarded.
We had a great two-night stay earlier this year at the Hilton in Belgrade. Lovely staff, great little lounge with decent food (fresh snacks during the day and proper dishes in the evening) and well appointed rooms, although not huge. The city is also interesting and we are keen to go back.
Another suggestion, if you’re not worried about the lack of lounge is the HGI in Bucharest. Very central and with decent rooms (well I was upgraded to a lovely corner room).
Belgrade is an interesting thought – had toyed with idea a few months back. Will re-look at with Hilton hat on.
Stayed in Bucharest about 6 months ago. At IC Athenee Palace. No more that average I’d say.
Belgrade is a very interesting and attractive city and quite a few very good day trip options. Have visited twice in last twelve months and planning a much longer Serbia/Balkan trip for next year. I stayed at the Hyatt. The Hilton looks to be an odd location? They are building a Waldorf Astoria on the river and there’s an SLH hotel Saint Ten which I don’t know, but is apparently well regarded.
I would agree that the Hilton location is slight odd. I would have expected it to be closer to the old town. That said, the city isn’t massive and we walked everywhere in early March with no problems. The Hilton rooftop bar and the bar downstairs are both worth a visit too.
WA in Belgrade sounds like potentially a great sweet spot!
WA in Belgrade sounds like potentially a great sweet spot!
I’m worried it’s actually a St Regis rather than a WA that’s opening on the waterfront. Sorry to get your hopes up. It may even be open now; it was still a building site in May.
St Regis just opened on the waterfront. Very cheap on points for now. 31k vs 446 euros. I can even use my FNA which is probably currently the best return on Bonvoy spend.
Yes it is St Regis. Tears.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/begxr-the-st-regis-belgrade/overview/
Yes it is St Regis. Tears.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/begxr-the-st-regis-belgrade/overview/
The sadder thing is that BA no longer flies to Belgrade. Probably dissed by all the tier point runners as the surrounding capitals were 80 point destinations. I saw hardly any Brits anywhere in Serbia; amazing country.
St Regis Belgrade is top notch. It will be one of the best Marriott properties in Europe and the cheapest after Metropole exited Luxury Collection.
It’s good that there is no direct BA flight (selfishly even less Brits), but it’s served by Air Serbia and Wizz Air.
Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Iceland has a great lounge. Top floor overlooking the bay, floor to ceiling windows. Breakfast was excellent in the main restaurant. Iceland has no many incredible things to explore
Hilton Reykjavik is fine if you have a car (or take tours that pick you up), otherwise it’s a bit far away from the city centre. Hilton Belgrade is near to the final stop of the A1 shuttle bus from the airport and public transport outside of peak hours is fast, but it just seems very overpriced for most dates.
Berlin, Warsaw, Sofia treat Diamond well, Tallinn is not as good as it used to be. Belfast is quite nice too.
For Dubrovnik, since all rates include breakfast, book for 1 even if you are 2 to make most use of Diamond breakfast. (Strictly speaking, 2nd guest stays free doesn’t apply in this case, and lounge has no breakfast since everyone gets it.)
Hilton Kyiv and the Curio in Minsk are supposed to be good 🙂
I thought the Berlin lounge was very underwhelming; the breakfast in the main dining room was much better and of course there are the impressive Dom views (although there were extensive works surrounding it when we were there!)
Shout out for the Hilton Stockholm, beautiful waterfront views and a nice lounge with decent food at night. Impressive breakfast with a separate area for Diamonds. Only two stops on metro from central station, very close to old town.
I thought the Berlin lounge was very underwhelming; the breakfast in the main dining room was much better and of course there are the impressive Dom views (although there were extensive works surrounding it when we were there!)
Yes, also hugely unimpressed with Berlin lounge. Especially when compared to the superlative lounge at IC Berlin.
Shout out for the Hilton Stockholm, beautiful waterfront views and a nice lounge with decent food at night. Impressive breakfast with a separate area for Diamonds. Only two stops on metro from central station, very close to old town.
Rooms are tiny and rare to get a meaningful upgrade though. And Slussen is just a big construction site at the moment
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