For the business traveller who wants a sleek, smart hotel in the capital with plenty of mod cons, I don’t think you can go wrong at the Hilton London Canary Wharf.
Based in the belly of the financial district and holding 282 rooms and suites as well as an array of flexible meetings rooms with all the technical extras you could need, it’s sure to be top of the list.
Though I was travelling for pleasure, not business (did I mention the hotel is also a stone’s throw from the o2?), I felt relaxed, happily fed and well cared for during my stay – just what a traveller needs from a top hotel stay.
ROOM
I was lucky enough to receive an upgrade upon arrival to a executive king room on the 12th floor. The view from the room was great with the sun shining off the water and the tall glass buildings, which surrounded me. A 12th floor room meant access to the executive lounge so I made sure to pay it a visit for a snack before my concert. The room was modern, spacious and very clean with smart décor. Cookies and cream velvet curtains framed the window and the view of the business district and Thames beyond, while an olive green headboard and flashes of red brightened up the white walls. There were dark wood framed mirrors galore and all furniture (wardrobe, desk, bedside tables) was dark wood with accents of red. The simple, sleek, upmarket feel of the décor didn’t distract from the fact that it was very comfortable and the large bed offered me an incredibly cosy night’s seep – it was quiet too considering the potential for noise in the area (I am more used to be surrounded by fields and cows!) and I couldn’t hear a peep in the night!
A low, grey armchair and soft red foot stall offered up a nice place to sit and enjoy the treats that greeted me – a bottle of Prosecco and some sweet treats. There was also a fully stocked mini bar to hand should I need to indulge – think wine, Toblerones, Pringles, gin…
There were no less than 3 phones in the room (one next to the toilet) and the air conditioning was a delight. Slippers, bathrobes, a safe, iron and TV with an array of channels were also included. The bathroom had a walk in shower and separate bath with a magnifying mirror and a good selection of toiletries, should I have needed them. The bathroom walls were covered in either beige or grey tiles and the wall under the large mirror was painted a bright aqua.
EXECUTIVE LOUNGE
As mentioned all guests in the executive rooms and suites gain access to the executive lounge. Situated on the 14th floor, the stylish room is open all day for cold drinks and snacks but also serves a continental breakfast until 11am, afternoon tea nibbles from 3pm to 5pm, which includes cakes, sandwiches, cookies and teas and hot and cold canapés and wines, beers and spirits in the evenings. I popped along to sample some evening eats and helped myself to some cheese and bread, salad and a small pot of warm aubergine, feta and spring greens, which was very tasty. The area offered great views from its elevated position and numerous windows and was comfortable with sofas to relax at or tables to dine at. Low velvet sofas and chairs in dark blue or deep green sat next to a television, amongst dark walls and simplistic wall art, while on the other side of a partition sat the small dark tables and food area. It felt very relaxed and homely.
FOOD
Cinnamon Restaurant and Bar reflects the contemporary style of the rest of the hotel and is light, airy and spacious. Named after one of the major commodities traded in the area in years gone by, it offers a nice place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, either for a working meal or for leisure. Dark brown leather banquet seating in the eating area matches the square mahogany tables and chairs. Tiled floors and square pillars keep the look clean, while flashes of lime green freshen up the look. The bar area has low angular sofas and tables to relax at and a feature brick wall with a patina effect leads you from reception through the bar and to the restaurant.
Served in Cinnamon Restaurant, the breakfast selection was plentiful and very tempting with a hot buffet or a cold continental selection. Everything on the hot buffet was self service but for a man whipping up fresh omelettes to order. I opted for a pork and vegetarian sausage, hash brown, fried egg and beans but there were plenty of other items as well as a vat of porridge with nuts, honey, dried fruits and syrup to accompany. From the continental buffet I selected some bread and cheeses with a chocolate twist but I could have gone back for more if I had the space! There were lots of fresh and dried fruits, a fruit salad bowl, cheeses, cold meats, breads, yogurts, fruit compote, French toast and mini Danish pastries.
We were invited for dinner but had prior plans (gig at the o2) so regrettably declined. A glance at the menu showed a nice selection of British brasserie style dishes, grilled items, salads and lots of side dishes. Among the 6 starters was a crispy pork belly that comes with baked celeriac, crème fraiche, hazelnuts and a lemon parsley dressing as well as spiced squid with peppers, goat’s cheese with beetroot, fig and walnuts and butternut squash soup. A selection of steaks, fish and chicken are served up from the grill or you can have a main course of slow cooked egg with artichoke, parmesan asparagus and truffle oil, salmon with beans, savoy cabbage and lemon butter sauce or one of 4 salads. Starters average at £8, main courses/grill items range from £12 to £23 and salads can be smaller at £5 or £6 or larger at £10 or £12.
Afternoon tea is also served in the open plan bar and restaurant area and for £23 you can indulge in a selection of teas, fruit scones with cream and jam, chocolate brownie, cakes, panna cotta, fruit tart and a selection of sandwiches.
HOTEL
The o2 arena is very close and easy to access but I feel the hotel is predominantly for business travellers with 8 Hilton meeting rooms and an executive boardroom to hand. Of course some of this combined 15,000sq.ft of space can be used for other events such as a wedding – it holds one of the largest pillar-free ballrooms in East London with a capacity of 400 – but with luxuries such as wireless screen sharing, digital flip charts, beanbags, seating pods, secretarial services and a range of food to keep you working hard, this is geared towards the business guest.
There’s also a fitness centre with gym, steam room and sauna, concierge to arrange activities, laundry/valet service, business centre, parking, cots and high chairs, and it has a focus on accessibility.
City airport is 4 miles, away Heathrow is 20 miles and Gatwick is 45 miles away and the DLR and underground are minutes away.
Weekend rates are available from £139 per room per night, including breakfast for double occupancy. Book now on http://CanaryWharf.hilton.com or call +44 203 002 4419.
Address: Marsh Wall, London E14 9SH
Phone: 020 3002 2300
