Travel test
WHAT: Five star Hilton Bankside in Southwark, London. Rooms now from £135 a night. hilton.com WHERE: The hotel is in a great location. The Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, Millennium Bridge, Borough Market and the Shard are nearby and St Paul’s Cathedral is a short stroll away. EXPERIENCE: This is a Hilton on a different level to any I’ve stayed at in the UK before. We could have been in a trendy part of New York with the wood panelled decor, steel clad hanging lights and minimalist style.
It felt new, design led and contemporary – and if this is a sign of future Hiltons then it’s a big thumbs up.
The friendly staff went through Covid compliant check-in procedures that were quick and easy over a free glass of fizz.
Our deluxe King room was huge with loads of space for two people and carried on with the minimalist, wood panelled theme.
There was also a desk, an area with a sofa to watch TV and an enormous serenity bed that was so comfy getting out was a struggle. The industrial chic bathroom was sleek, sexy and stylish and had a huge shower and bath which is rare these days.
The Distillery Bar pays tribute to its roots as a former perfume factory with a range of signature cocktails made with homemade aromatics, infusions and bitters – as well as some amazing gins.
For dinner we ate grilled sirloin steak, with wild rocket and French fries in a tasty chimichurri sauce.
The next morning we had a buffet breakfast in main restaurant Oxbo, which was closed for dinner during our stay.
All the usual options were available and the happy team of chefs whipped up omelettes, eggs and pancakes to order in front of guests in the open kitchen concept.
There is also a gym and indoor heated pool, where we booked a 45-minute slot as per Covid rules during our September stay. QUIBBLES: A strange complimentary Bento Box that was brought out with drinks that consisted of packs of soggy crackers and chewy almonds. VERDICT: Totally unexpected decor for all the right reasons. A modern, cool hotel in a great part of town. 8/10