Westminster is the centre of power and the home of Government, where all the national decisions affecting our lives are made. The EC4A postcode contains The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street and even a legendary pub called the Red Lion. This is one of the nation’s most affluent neighbourhoods and a place where things happen.
If you want to be at the heart of all this action during your next visit to the country’s capital, then look no further than The Westminster London Curio Collection by Hilton.
Hotel
Just a short stroll away from The Houses of Parliament, this four-star 464-room hotel is close to all the action, but far enough to offer guests privacy. That makes it attractive to MPs, diplomats and well-heeled tourists.
This Hilton property offers all the hallmarks of the world’s most distinguished brand, but also stamps out its uniqueness and artistic flair. Quirky touches include bowler hats in the window and vivid portraits and sculptures in the tasteful lobby. Nothing is quite as it seems here, and all around are images of obscured faces blurred nodding to the hotel’s proximity of parliament and MI5. Who knows which guests you might be staying with, spies or diplomats?
Room
Formerly the DoubleTree Westminster, the hotel is now under the Curio Collection by Hilton and the hotel has a wide variety of rooms and suites which are both modern and sophisticated for that home from home feel. The 13th floor king, one-bedroom suite has a spacious lounge area with a fold-out sofa bed and a large 50-inch television screen. Meanwhile, the main bedroom has another TV and both share an incredible view of the London skyline.
Kick-off your shoes and relax a while in the room, nibbling the hand-dipped chocolate strawberries and a glass of bubbly before stepping into a sleek black marble bathroom to get ready for the evening. The hotel does not have a spa, but it does have oversized baths in all the rooms to enjoy, so turn on the taps to the square bath, fill it with Crabtree & Evelyn DoubleTree bath foam and select one of the books laid out in the room and retire for some well-deserved ‘me time’. Spend a relaxing time putting your makeup on in the mirror and brushing your teeth in the large vanity sink. There is also an enclosed toilet for privacy.
Food and drink
The main draw of this hotel is the incredibly chic STK Restaurant, where guests make a grand entrance. Stop by the floral sign for those all-important Instagram snaps as you wait to be seated. Personalised service begins from the moment you are taken to your booth.
What better way to start the evening but with a delicious cocktail or mocktail? Sip this in style as you peruse the menu, and nibble on the STK’s tasty signature brioche bread and sauce, which is delivered with a flourish. Not only is this extremely tasty, but it looks incredible.
The menu is bursting with mouth-watering options, but the tantalising tortellini topped with truffle is a good choice. The melt in the mouth cheese and expansive truffle shavings tantalise the taste buds for a different experience. Those with hearty appetites would do well to choose the Caesar salad which is both generous and flavoursome. Meanwhile, kids are in heaven with the ‘lil’ burg’s’ starter made up of mini burgers with brioche and a special sauce.
The speciality of STK is, you guessed it, steak. This comes in many varieties from flat iron, rib-eye, sirloin and fillet. For an extra treat, one can add on a lobster tail and make it a surf and turf meal. This can be accompanied by a variety of sides including truffle topped fries or potato gratin. The steak is cooked to such perfection that it slices through like a knife through hot butter, and it is cooked by flames to achieve a crispy-on-the-outside, chargrilled barbeque style taste. Inside, it is cooked to your taste – medium to well – and goes well with the salty flavour of the lobster or you could enhance the taste with a delicious sauce.
A sweet dessert wine from France called Chateau Laville pairs wonderfully with cheesecake or chocolate cookie with caramel sauce and ice cream, while for the children there are healthy options such as fruit salad.
The next morning, awake to some of the most splendid views of the capital in your room and after a refreshing shower, venture downstairs for a delicious English breakfast. There’s a splendid array of bacon, sausage, egg, hash browns, beans and tomatoes as well as sliced ham, pepperoni and cheese if you fancy going continental – not to mention a vast array of cereals and a variety of milk, including vegan options.
The food at STK is wonderful and there’s also a casual dining outlet called Bao Yum is a whimsical twist on classical bao; offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert bao.
To do
Inside the hotel, guests will find their very own bowling alley to make use of during their stay. Following an amazing meal, enjoy exclusive use of the private bowling alley, complete with an honesty bar and self-returning ball mechanism, this is a great entertainment option for the whole family. Book ahead for a special birthday or the perfect way to spend an evening as a family.
The Westminster Curio Collection by Hilton is also ideally positioned to explore the capital’s main attractions. The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and the hotel can arrange a late check-out for those who want to explore the area. On weekends and during times parliament is not in session, a tour of The Houses of Parliament makes for a great family day out.
As you stroll down Millbank, detour to Horseferry Park where the kids can enjoy the playpark while adults enjoy an alternative view of this great building which survived Guy Fawkes’s attempt to blow it up in 1605. Marvel at the beautiful architecture and admire the glorious views of the River Thames as you meander towards it.
Westminster Abbey has witnessed every coronation since that of William The Conqueror in 1066. It was here, fifty years ago, on June 2, 1953, that Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip. And of course, no visit is complete without pressing your nose up at the gates of 10 Downing Street, trying to glimpse a look at the big black door signalling the entrance to the abode of the current UK Prime Minister.
Following this, one might pop for a pint at The Red Lion to enjoy a drink within the same walls Charles Dickens’, Sir Winston Churchill and Clement Atlee once bended the elbow. Situated between 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, the Red Lion is probably the best pub in the city for lovers of political history, and there’s every chance you’ll rub shoulders with a member of the political elite too.
Families will love to visit the newly restored Big Ben, while the London Eye and Shrek’s Adventure is phenomenal for all ages. While in this prestigious neighbourhood check out Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Palace, which is perfect to catch the famous Changing of The Guards at midday. All this is on the doorstep and within walking distance of The Westminster hotel.
In a nutshell
The Westminster is a great place to stay and is incredibly family-friendly, poised on the doorstep of the major sightseeing attractions. While the hotel is modern, it is set in a historic area which makes it a very special location to stay in and around. It feels like a home from home as the hotel staff think of everything down to the nibbles that await you in the rooms to the personalised service at dinner.
In the room, there are all the amenities you could want and splendid views from the top floors. Those staying at The Westminster will feel a sense of belonging, and also experience the excitement of this historic location, full of intrigue and power. It seems like anything can happen at any moment and you never know who might be sitting next to you at the bar.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £ £165 pppn
Address: The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton, 30 John Islip St, London SW1P 4DD
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7630 1000
Website: hotelwestminster.co.uk
Hotel images courtesy of Matthew Shaw
