Docklands in London?
My family (2 adults, 2 kids) will be in London for 4 days over Thanksgiving. We can stay at the Hilton Docklands for free (using HiltonHonors points)or at a hotel more convenient to downtown for around $250 per night. We want to have a GREAT experience in London - do you all think staying out in the Docklands in a chain hotel will be worth the cost savings? Thanks!
Lori
Ex expat 11/3/09
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Free is nice, but that being said.
When I passed through The Docklands on the way back from Greenwich I found it to be an interesting part of London. It is East of "The City" with lots of nice shiny new office towers around the old wharfs, but at night it might get pretty dull there. Most of the "fun" in London is West of The City (West End and beyond). The City itself is deathly dull in the evening when all the stockbrokers, barristers and newspaper types go home as well.
And the Docklands Hilton is across the river from the rest of the Docklands so you will have some traveling each night to get back "home." Its about a five miles walk from Convent Garden.
To get from the West End, Westminster, Chelsea, Convent Garden, Knightsbridge, Kensington and the like you will need to transit to The City, cross the River Thames and walk along the South Bank area to your hotel. There is no Tube service near the Hilton, but a ferry dock is right there for rides to Westminster and a bus stop right out back. Frankly to go that far at night, I'd be hailing a cabbie.
In other words, it's kinda far from most place you'll want to visit.
There are other HHonors places in better locations you should try, including
The Trafalgar London
Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton London-Regent Street
Hilton London Green Park
London Hilton on Park Lane
Hilton London Euston
Hilton London Tower Bridge
Hilton London Metropole
Hilton London Paddington
Hilton London Metropole
Each has better Underground access and should prove easier to visit London from. I hope you can find a freebie among them
Also there are often engineering works on the Docklands Light Railway and Jubilee Line at weekends to prepare them for the Olympics that may make it even harder to get into the centre.
Be sure to check out the Museum of London Docklands while you are there. It is terrific. My wife and I spent about three hours inside last month.
We spent a day in the Docklands area. It's definitely more of a business environment, but we connected easily to the Underground via the Docklands Light Railway, both of which took our Oyster Passes. At rush hour, however, it can be tough to get to and from the area on public transport.
I'm not familiar with the Hilton Docklands, but we used honors points at the Hilton Trafalgar Square and I was not impressed with that hotel. Other than for the location, I wouldn't recommend the Trafalgar Hilton.
OK, you talked me out of the Docklands as a place to stay. The Metropole and Euston are both candidates (can fit the 4 of us in 1 room.) I can't use points because a 4-person room is considered an upgrade (would need double points - there is always a catch, eh?) but we can get a room for 4 with breakfast for 189L a night. Is this a good deal or should I bag the Hilton and try for something else. (I'm finding 4 bed rooms hard to come by.)
Check out "The Mansions" in Earls Court. Full serviced apartments. No breakfast included but you get an apartment witth kitchen and w/d plus maid service. One block from Earl's Court tube Station. Lots of restaurants in the area, take away shops, markets.
You can do better than that. Hilton is good only if free IMHO. The Docklands is only good if free and you're willing to stay way out.
Try the Rick Steves' London book for some really super hotel ideas. The Three Abbey Green Guest House has family rooms for 135-165 GBP per night stay@threeabbeygreen.com
We stayed at the Hilton Paddington once when we were flying out of Heathrow (normally we use Gatwick but that trip, London was the first stop before heading east). I liked the hotel. It is inside Paddington station making it very convient for trains and the tube. There are lots of places to eat in the station and the surrounding area as well as several smaller convience type grocery stores. I'd suggest you check it out. Also could the adults share a room and the kids share another???
I agree that the docklands isn't the best spot to stay in London, but the history of the area is interesting and I might suggest a walking tour (for adults, not so much for kids) to learn about the history. On the other hand, your kids, if they're Dr. Who fans, may want to visit the area to see some of the buildings that were part of the series and the headquarters of Torchwood London!!
Thanks all! You talked me out of going the Hilton route. I emailed EVERY quad room hotel/B&B in the RS Great Britain 2009 book and they were all filled...except one. Apparently "holiday season" in London starts Nov 20. (And I thought it would be the slow season!) We got in at the Westland Hotel. Best part is that they'll stow our EIGHT EXTRA BAGS (we're moving back to the USA) for no charge while we tour around England.