The Waldorf Hilton - London, United Kingdom 

"Totally relaxing experience in central London"
Posted: Mon, Nov 23 2009
Stayed in Waldorf for 3 nights. Staff were welcoming and attentive from the moment we arrived, collecting our luggage at the door and showing us to our room as soon as we arrived at 12 although check in time isn't officially until 3. A complimentary bottle of wine was sent up to our room within minutes of arriving. All staff were polite and friendly throughout our stay, making it it a totally pleasant and relaxing experience. This hotel was built in 1908 and has been sympathetically modernised throughout. Public lounges are comfortable with high ceilings, relaxing leather chairs and an excellent supply of complimentary newspapers. The smallest of luxury touches, down to even the bathroom tissues embossed with the Waldorf Hilton name show how this hotel takes a real pride in being a unique London landmark that other new and completely modern hotels just can't match.

very nice but very overrated
Posted: Thu, Jul 24 2008
I don't really know what to say we definately had a mixed experience at this hotel. The hotel is absolutely stunning from the outside, its a beautiful building in a great location. We arrived at the Waldorf as part of the final leg of our journey from Italy, we had set off from Italy at 11am, got a taxi to Nice and a train to Paris, where we caught the Eurostar at 8pm and arrived in London at around 11pm. We were shattered with over a weeks worth of holiday lugage. Anyway we were greeted by friendly reception staff and checked in without a problem, unfortunately we were not offered any help with our 3 suitcases so this was rather frustrating as there was only myself and my boyfriend. We got the lift up to our room which was awkward as when you arrive on the floor there are lots of single steps which are rather annoying when you have luggage. We arrived at the room and it was beautiful but VERY VERY VERY small, infact I think the bathroom was possibly bigger than the actual room (we were paying ?205 for the night for the tiniest room I have ever seen). To add to the problem it was the WARMEST room I have every been in with the most humidity, the window wouldn't open, the air conditioning was broken and the extractor fan wouldn't work in the bathroom so after my shower the entire room was full of steam making it even more unbareable. There was literally sweat pouring off my boyfriend and he was very upset as we were so tired. The room was so small we kept tripping over our cases all the time as there was nowhere to put them!! Anyway after nearly an hour we decided enough was enough and phoned down to reception to move rooms which they allowed us to do. The room we were taken to was a lot cooler but still as minute. The room itself aside from the size is gorgeous, wonderful fixtures in the bathroom and a lovely miniatures pack from Crabtree and Evelyn. The bed was extremely comfortable with lovely soft sheets. The space in the room though was just so poor, even the bed, 1 side was pushed up against the wall so to get out of it I either had to climb over my partner or climb down the bed, it was just a joke. Fortunately the next morning we went for breakfast and it was delicious, they hold breakfast buffet in the grand ball room and it was spectacular, very nice. Our train wasn't until 4pm so we asked if it was ok if we stayed until 12 and they said it was fine which was nice. They also held our luggage for us while we did a bit of shopping. the staff were a lot more helpful at check out and even helped us with our bags and got us a taxi. Overall after staying in other hotels in London for half the price and twice the value I wouldn't stay at the Waldorf again.

Decent Hotel
Posted: Sun, Jul 20 2008
I spent a week at this hotel recently. Arrived quite early in the morning and the room was available - though as Hilton Gold VIP members - they just had an ordinary room for me, but promised to move me the next day. The regular room was decent, - but had the glass shower and bathroom doors - I had no view except some awful black buildings at the back of the hotel. Breakfast was included in the rate. I found it difficult to get what I wanted - wheat toast, arrived as white - scrambled egg as fried - the waitress was from Romania and obviously did not understand much of what was requested. The reception had promised an upgraded room - however, nothing happened. So I went down to reception, who apologised ( and appeared to have no knowledge that I wanted to change rooms) and promptly moved me to the upgraded room. This room had a little entry hall with a chest of drawers and a desk and then the bedroom and bathroom. The room while nice and spacious had tremendously squeaky floors which was irritating when using the bathroom at night and the shower in the tub quite laughable. It had an unmoveble head.. Just try and wash properly when stuck in the corner of the tub right against the faucets!! Turn down service was inconsistent - bottled water was only offered three nights out of the seven we were there. Construction was going on right outside our window and I was woken up bright and early each morning by the workers yelling at each other and hammering! The one afternoon I arrived back at the hotel at 5 p.m. and the room still had not been made up. When I called down - service express - wanted to know if I had left the do not disturb button on. No I hadn't - when the housekeeper came up she told me that this sometimes happens on a Sunday as they are very busy!! The great part about this hotel though was the Executive Lounge - open till late with a great assortment of items to consume. The doormen were friendly - and always ready with a greeting. The hotel is about a 15 minute walk to the nearest tube - Holborn, but there are buses right outside the hotel which I used - and a five minute walk into Covent Garden itself. This is a decent hotel - with a few minor problems - but I probably would consider staying here again.

Ambivalent about the Waldorf
Posted: Wed, Jul 09 2008
I stayed at the Waldorf for TEN nights while on a business trip. I waited a week to write this review because I am still ambivalent about it. Which no doubt accounts for the mixed reviews. First--I booked a twin as I was on business with a colleague and we thought that at USD500 per night we could get somewhere different a little upmarket. London hotels being what they are (ie expensive and small). Their twin rooms are NOT for two people. There is one chest of drawers, the two beds were pushed together and we consistently received enough toiletries for ONE person. Even when I kept leaving notes--two females use a lot of toiletries. Housekeeping was good about sending someone up but... Only one computer outlet (no wireless in room) meant that we had to share the computer..two computers = GBP140 per week and I couldn't justify it. Last, one bedside lamp works--if someone wants to read the whole room is lit up. Bummer. I thought the stairwell to the gym was grotty and it put me off using it...it seemed to be always crowded and in need of a new paint job/renovation. (FYI in NYC I stay at the Affinia Dumont and it's far superior). First night at 12 am room service tried to deliver food to our room--yes, we were asleep. Second night @ 11pm they tried to change our sheets (we hadn't asked). So that did not put me in a good mood. And I must admit to expecting some kind of "apology" fr management. Also they had my name wrong and despite telling front desk twice they refused to believe I said who I was--the booking had my correct name so I could prove it. (I missed phone calls from two important business associates). The Good--the staff were really helpful; breakfast was great (and included in the price); and truly, the location cannot be bettered if you like theatre. Buses are inches away so great for transport If you could get a deal at less than UDS300, I would jump at it. But in future I think I will stay at another hotel and get two rooms. I understand the poster who says s/he is checking the "willing to be contacted" box as I feel the same way . . . which is a pity cos it is so close to being a 'great hotel'.