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Hi All,
Looking for some hotel advice for London in December 2025 (yes we’re organised, it’s an annual weekend anyway).
We are currently looking at the Hilton Waldorf and Hilton Conrad.
Does anybody have any experiences with either of these hotels?
Any recommendations are welcome?
Thanks in advance!
Bankside is generally seen as the best option, to be honest.
Conrad is a smart hotel but in an odd location. Waldorf is old but has historical features of interest and is slap bang in the middle of the West End (bit like staying in Times Square). There’s really nothing the two have in common. It’s really down to what you want from your trip.
Have you looked at the Trafalgar st James, curio collection?
As Rob says, it depends what you want, but for location I reckon some would state that you couldn’t beat it.I’m guessing that your not very familiar with London, so please take this constructively.
It’s about location, location, location. Central London is big; staying in the wrong location is a pain. The tube is dirty, crowded, uncomfortable, sometimes threatening at night and not ideal if you’re dressed up for a night out. Taxis are better but take an eternity due to anti-car policies.
First decide where you want to go, especially in the evenings. Then find a hotel nearby. Better to have a decent hotel in the right location than a great one in the wrong location.
For me, Mayfair comes out top nine timea out of ten; based on the prices there, others must think the same.
Stayed at both Trafalgar St James and the Waldorf. Completely different experiences, but both very central and both excellent in our opinion. In the beautiful dining room at the Waldorf, we had the best breakfast experience we’ve ever had at a Hilton property and a fabulous spread that I think even @JDB would enjoy!
My vote is for Waldorf, great location and easily walkable to many good spots.
I agree with jj that you should look at location first and then pick a hotel you like the look of in that area. I do not agree that the location would be Mayfair 9/10 times – but that depends on what you want to do 🙂
The Conrad is nice, but like the others have said, there’s not really a lot to do in walking distance from it. If you’re new to London the Waldorf has the perfect location (same for the St. James, but that tends to be much more expensive). If it was me though I’d agree with Rob and pick the Bankside – great location as well with walking distance to the Southbank and London Bridge/Borough.
The Canopy and Lost Property are also honourable mentions, but with a slightly more relaxed vibe and most relevant if you already know that you want to stay a bit further to the east.
Yes, location, location, location – think where you want to be, both last thing (short walk back) and in the day (where a nice stroll along the river en route somewhere or of itself may be seen as an upside not a pain).
If you have it, another thing to consider is lounge access. I’m a bit out of date in terms of London lounges, others will advise. But I’d guess Conrad still comes out top there (though again, it’s very personal and depends what you want).
If going Southbank, I’d also consider Hilton London Tower Bridge. Doesn’t have a pool so if that’s important then Bankside wins but logistically it is so easy, right on the doorstep of London Bridge Station. It has a decent lounge with views of the City over the river. It is closer to Borough Market and The Shard than Bankside and you have Tower Bridge and The Queen’s Walk a stone’s throw away too. Decent rooms and good breakfast in my experience.
Going to assume you have Hilton points to burn from the question so are after Hiltons.
TSJ is my favourite London hotel
Waldorf … isn’t.Although the Waldorf is perfectly decent for the right price and if your trip is for Covent Garden, the ROH or the West End in general then obviously it’s ideal. Very much bear in mind that despite the name it is a Hilton, NOT a Walford-Astoria.
TSJ: more interesting/personal than your typical hotel with large rooms for the area and unbelievable location (the HfP review team will be a bit less excited about that because they’re from London so the location isn’t quite so exciting to them 😉 ). If they have points availability on your dates then just do it.If this is a reasonably special trip rather than a functional one then DO NOT stay in the Doubletree West End or the Hilton Euston no matter how good the deal 😉
Bankside covered above. Not stayed at either of the new Curios but they do look interesting (I like Curios generally).
Could never bring myself to book the Conrad. Staying amidst various civil service offices and national agencies just seems so unexciting. From my 5 minute nosey around when in the area it seems very pleasant (who says you don’t get a decent depth of review on internet forums 😀 ).
We stayed in the Conrad when I was a diamond and were really well looked after (they sent us up a whole afternoon tea because we’d missed the one in the lounge). Breakfast was okay, not amazing. Base rooms are small. We got a junior suite which was great. I think it may be the most luxurious option. The Conrad is right by a tube station and close to Green Park.
The Waldorf has an excellent location at the edge of Covent Garden. I’ve never stayed there but I wouldn’t say it’s like staying in Times Square – I’d give that accolade to London’s W.
You will be fine on the tube and you can get anywhere relatively quickly by black cab.
Going to assume you have Hilton points to burn from the question so are after Hiltons.
TSJ is my favourite London hotel
Waldorf … isn’t.Although the Waldorf is perfectly decent for the right price and if your trip is for Covent Garden, the ROH or the West End in general then obviously it’s ideal. Very much bear in mind that despite the name it is a Hilton, NOT a Walford-Astoria.
TSJ: more interesting/personal than your typical hotel with large rooms for the area and unbelievable location (the HfP review team will be a bit less excited about that because they’re from London so the location isn’t quite so exciting to them 😉 ). If they have points availability on your dates then just do it.If this is a reasonably special trip rather than a functional one then DO NOT stay in the Doubletree West End or the Hilton Euston no matter how good the deal 😉
Bankside covered above. Not stayed at either of the new Curios but they do look interesting (I like Curios generally).
Could never bring myself to book the Conrad. Staying amidst various civil service offices and national agencies just seems so unexciting. From my 5 minute nosey around when in the area it seems very pleasant (who says you don’t get a decent depth of review on internet forums 😀 ).
How bad are you saying Hilton Euston is? I’m a former 30+ year Londoner returning to London for one night. Post drinks with former colleagues so only need night plus breakfast relatively nearby. And breakfast – I’m Diamond. I can change easily as points booking…
Never stayed at the Hilton Euston, but I bet it’s 100% better than the Travelodge Euston, where I have stayed, and it’s a disgusting filthy dump!
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