Arrival/Check-in: I arrived in London on the Eurostar after a full day of meetings in Brussels, and I felt I had been on the run all day. So I thoroughly appreciated being escorted to the special Executive Floors check-in area where I had a cup of tea, a snack and a quiet moment while I was being checked-in. After a short wait I was shown to my room, a Park Lane Suite on the 14th floor. (20/20)

Guest Quarters: From the large sitting room of my suite, I could see Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner and west across Hyde Park toward the Serpentine. The room was furnished with a sectional couch, coffee table, two ottomans, an easy chair, an entertainment center and a large desk with Internet hookup (about $38 per day). I really appreciated that the electrical outlets at the desk were set at desk level so there was no need to crawl around looking for an outlet. (Other hotels, please take note!) There was an electric teakettle and the makings for tea but not coffee, which was not a problem for a tea drinker such as I, but might concern first-conscious- act-in-the-morning coffee drinkers.

The bedroom, which faced north toward Marble Arch, had a very comfortable king-size bed. The large bathroom included a separate tub and shower, which to my delight provided a deluge equal to Niagara! Amenities were Crabtree & Evelyn La Source toiletries, plus a loofah mitt, a dental kit and a shaving kit. (15/15)

Services/Amenities: Hotel services include a fitness center, a swimming pool, wireless Internet access in the public areas, a business center and 14 function rooms. The outstanding hotel restaurant, Galvin at Windows, is located on the 28th floor and has spectacular views of London on a par with its excellent cuisine. Other dining/ entertaining venues within the hotel are the POP Bar for cocktails and Trader Vic’s for informal dining. (44/45)

The Experience: I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. The hotel is located in Mayfair across the road from Hyde Park and around the corner from Green Park. This is the green and leafy heart of London and is ideal for joggers or anyone who enjoys a pleasant stroll in the park. If you are a shopper or a culture vulture, or just want an evening out, the hotel is a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge and Chelsea, in one direction, and St. James’s and the West End in the other direction. It’s a great place to stay when you visit London. (19/20)

LONDON HILTON ON PARK LANE
22 Park Lane
London W1K 1BE
tel 44 20 749 38000, fax 44 20 720 84142
http://www.hilton.com