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Overview

Well, that was a bit better, Hilton.

After some very mixed feelings from my recent visits to the Hilton London Metropole and the Hilton Chicago, I was very much hoping for a return to form with the Hilton Paddington.

While this hotel is far from perfect, it ticked all the required boxes for me: a comfortable, well-appointed room, an excellent breakfast and, crucially, adequate recognition of my Elite Diamond status (are you listening, America?).

The Hilton Paddington is of course very well located: almost within Paddington station, it is perfectly placed for Heathrow and you are within very easy reach of the main London attractions.

A Hilton Paddington review would not be complete without me also mentioning that the Paddington Tube station is then literally opposite the hotel, across Praed Street.

Upgraded?

As a Diamond member, my room was upgraded to the Executive floor, and I was given Executive lounge access.

The room

My room at the Hilton Paddington was excellent. It was a little touch, but on arrival I was greated with a fresh(ish) fruit juice and a box of chocolates, given my Diamond status:

Newly refurbished, spacious and well-appointed, the room had all I needed.

The bed was large and comfortable, and there was a well-sized desk/study area, and even a small lounge section with a table and chairs.

The bathroom was large, if a touch old fashioned. However, the shower was new and worked well, and all the necessary amenities were there (or a phone-call to housekeeping away), so I have no issues.

Facilities

There is a slightly pokey gym at the Hilton Paddington, but it does a job, with a couple of running machines and some free-weights.

Restaurants/breakfast

The breakfast range at the Hilton Paddington was the good old Hilton standard, but that is not a criticism. Hilton breakfasts are wide-ranging and the quality is generally pretty good, with options ranging from the fry-up through to more niche gluten-free etc options. There’s also a good range of pastries and muffins.

What was particularly impressive for me about the breakfast was that, for a fairly large-scale, central London hotel, the restaurant still retained a fairly personal touch to it: you were welcomed by two staff members, one of whom then guided you to a very pleasant and comfortable seating area.

Lounge

As a result of my Diamond status, I was granted access to the executive lounge.

The lounge itself is fairly small but perfectly pleasant, with a good stock of drinks (plus food and a wider range of alcoholic drinks at select times). I chose to have breakfast in the main restaurant rather than dine in the executive lounge, however, given how nice the restaurant is, and the wider range of food.

For a quiet afternoon drink and some canapes, however, the lounge was great.

Quality of service

The service at the Hilton Paddington was first class. My room was upgraded and Executive lounge access given without hesitation. Staff were also plentiful, friendly and helpful, and this was a real plus to the visit.

Room details

Rate Paid: £169 per night

Room Type: Executive room

Summary of stay

Well located, comfortable rooms, friendly service and a great breakfast. For £169 a night plus a Hilton points bonus, I felt I got very solid value for money from the Hilton Paddington.

If you are after a comfortable, centrally-located hotel that is within extremely easy reach of Heathrow airport, then you could do a lot worse than the Hilton Paddington. I would certainly strongly recommend it over it’s behemoth neighbour, the Hilton London Metropole.