Blog: Shawn Rogers

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Hilton Hotels and Youth Hostels

For my last post on my trip to Europe last week I am going to spout off like a spoiled American. Can anyone explain to me why the large American hotel chains don't maintain their quality standards at their European properties? I stayed at the Hyde Park Hilton (on Bayswater) in London this past week and paid 159 pounds or $310 USD for a one night stay.

My room featured the following:

• No Early Check in for Gold VIP Members
• A spring mattress with wood slat supports, sagging to the middle
• Chipped, scratched and broken furniture
• Moldy shower/tub walls
• Carpet that left your bare feet black if you walked around on it.
• Pay movie channel that didn't work

Frankly the Hilton resembled an above average youth hostel. The Hilton corporation needs to get a clue. The front desk staff at the hotel were generally unhelpful and seemed to take a certain pride in their inability to run a real hotel. The only employee to demonstrate "Hilton like" service was the doorman/valet. I arrived at the hotel at 9AM and requested to be checked in as soon as possible we were given our rooms at 2:55 PM after waiting all day as the staff checked in dozens and dozens of other guests in front of us. The valet finally got involved and went upstairs to redirect the efforts of the cleaning crews so we could get into our room.

Just to be certain my message gets across in this post AVOID THE HILTON on Bayswater at ALL COSTS. Save your money and get a room at the local youth hostel it will be a better value.

Has anyone had similar issues? Whats your favorite London hotel?

Tags: Hilton, Hostel

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