A convenient Bloomsbury hotel: we review DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End

When it comes to accommodation, London has no shortage of five-star historic grand dame hotels and sassy boutique boltholes. But sometimes, you want a cosy, comfortable stay where nothing’s too slick or complicated and you know exactly what to expect. We recently checked into the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End for an easy stay in the capital.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End

Hotel snapshot

Hotel Name: DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End
Location: Bloomsbury, London
Address: 92 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4BH
Number of rooms and suites: 275
Brand: Hilton
Date opened: 2011
Design style: Timeless simplicity
Family amenities: Children under 18 stay free with existing bedding; baby care items; children’s themes and welcome amenities on arrival; gift at check-in for children under 12; children’s menus at restaurants; storybook kids’ “Tales & Teacups” afternoon tea in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books
Wellness facilities: 24-hour fitness centre
Prices from: £239 per night, depending on room and season.

Setting the scene

DoubleTree by Hilton London – West End may have just recently completed a refurbishment project, but it hasn’t completely shed its history. The hotel is still housed in a Grade II-listed building originally completed in 1911, so arriving guests’ first visual touchpoint is the sweeping Edwardian façade on Southampton Row. It still bears the insignia of the building’s former iteration as the Bonnington Hotel, alongside some gleaming modern touches, such as the glass-and-metal awning over the entrance.

Even the hotel’s location echoes this blend of modernity and history. It’s set within the historic district of Bloomsbury, known for its publishing history and 20th-century Bloomsbury Group intellectuals such as Virginia Woolf and John Maynard Keynes. And, guests have easy access to some of the best of London’s past and present, from the British Museum and Covent Garden to Shaftsbury Avenue and Oxford Street. The Holborn tube station is a short walk away for adventures further afield.

Inside, the lobby offers an immediate sense of what guests can expect throughout the hotel, at least from a design perspective. It’s all contemporary yet timeless design composed of neutral tones with just slight bursts of colour or pattern for visual interest. And plenty of plush seating, naturally.

I arrive with one hour to make myself presentable for drinks at a very posh see-and-be-seen bar nearby, fresh off a 20-hour journey. So it’s a relief to be welcomed by friendly staff for an efficient check-in—and the warm signature DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies, which offer a sugar high to get through the evening.

Classic digs

The property boasts 275 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, so I quickly make my way to a newly unveiled King Deluxe Room. The property boasts 275 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, so I quickly make my way to a newly unveiled King Deluxe Room. It’s exactly what you’d expect of a Hilton-branded property—clean, neat, and stacked with everything you need for a comfortable stay. What the room lacks in views (the windows are glazed over, letting in some natural light, but no glimpse of outside), it makes up for in size, plush furnishings, amenities such as an oversized flatscreen TV, and complimentary biscuits in the minibar.

Despite rushing to get ready, I pause to take in the space. There are all the expected furnishings, a king-sized bed I can’t wait to fall into, a workspace I’m sure will be suited for tomorrow morning’s work session, and plenty of charging points. Even the grey-clad bathroom is surprisingly massive, with a spacious, standalone shower and a vanity big enough to accommodate several people’s toiletries.

Food and drinks

Each morning begins in the hotel’s basement The Level Restaurant, which serves the signature DoubleTree Wake-Up Breakfast. Travellers and businesspeople alike grab a table to enjoy a buffet that’s simple yet filling, complete with pastries, fruits, and fresh eggs made at a live station.

In the early evening, guests congregate at the inviting new The Writing Room Bar & Lounge for pre-dinner drinks and snacks, or even dinner. Severely jetlagged, it’s a relief to stumble into this quiet space to enjoy a globally inspired menu that pays homage to Bloomsbury writers in hearty dishes such as The Gatsby Burger, Byron’s Bolognese, and Dorian’s Charcuterie (I only make it halfway through my richly flavoured pasta).

Is there more?

The main extra amenity the hotel boasts is an on-site gym. It’s small, and the equipment is basic, but it’s enough to work up a good sweat, keep my fitness goals on track, and something of a novelty in central London.

Frequently asked questions: The DoubleTree by Hilton London-West End