http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/glasgow/hotel/1y22u71/glasgow-hilton-international <b>Glasgow Hilton International</b><br />Glasgow, 1 William Street, G3 8HT, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/glasgow/hotel/1y22u71/glasgow-hilton-international http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/glasgow/hotel/1y22u71/glasgow-hilton-international/1g05t8
Review by ONscotland

Rating: 2.00
Tags:
The Glasgow Hilton markets itself as a five star hotel, and at first glance, it appears to fit the bill. Lovely guest rooms, a variety of public areas and a leisure club are all the ingredients of a good hotel, but what of the actual guest experience?

Check-In:
After queueing for about three minutes (time it, it seems like forever) without apology, I was checked-in by possibly the unfriendliest receptionist I have ever encountered. Practically through the key at me and made those awful sighing noises when I dithered over what newspaper to have the next morning - which in the end wasn't delivered.
I then queued for the lift as the hotel, all twenty storeys, is served by only three lifts. I waited for about five minutes before one became available.

The Room:
The room was lovely. Really nice. The bed was really comfortable and the air-conditioning worked. With views over Glasgow, a flat screen television (albeit with a woeful lack of channels, but you don't go away to watch telly), a kettle, teas and coffees (and awful UHT milk portions) and two shortbread biscuits. The bathroom was new, with a huge mirror, bath with shower, and La Source from Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries. There was a minibar with another Hilton 'trick' - as soon as you TOUCH anything in the minibar - it's added to your bill. Even if you just move something. Be warned!

Room Service:
More 'queuing' - this time five minutes on the phone, which kept going back to reception who would then transfer me back to room service, which went unanswered... anyone would think they didn't want or need my custom! Eventually it was answered, and the food (Pizza) although boring, was adequate, and not much more expensive than a takeaway. After the pizza, we call room service and ask them to remove the trays. Which they don't do.

Breakfast:
More queues. I manage to get into the queue and just the right time, and have a ten minute wait for breakfast. Others behind me aren't so lucky, and soon the queue is stretched from one side of this (remember:) five star hotel to the other. I have breakfast in the bar because the restaurant is so busy. I feel that the hotel must have known how busy they were going to be, but there is just no excuse for making people queue for breakfast.

Hilton loves branding. Every table has a tacky paper sheet with 'Hilton Breakfast' on it. The (paper) napkins have 'Hilton Breakfast' on them. The cups and mugs have 'Hilton Breakfast' on them. Perhaps people forget the hotel they're in, or the meal they're having?

Breakfast in the bar is dull. The fried options are so dry as to be unedible, and simple things like porridge become a Krypton Factor style puzzle, as there is nowhere to place the lid of the porridge pan, while holding the bowl and serving yourself.
Breakfast on other mornings was less eventful, and there was no repeat of the queueing for breakfast although every day I had to ask for the milk to be refilled, and even things like HP Sauce was always 'on request'!

Room Service:
I have room service again that night. Service is fine, except that again, they don't remove the trays after I call them to.

Hilton Bar:
Using the bar as a bar rather than as an annexe for breakfast was a more enjoyable experience, and I couldn't fault the friendly service from all the staff here.

The Leisure Facilities:
A large swimming pool, sauna and steam room, as well as a jacuzzi are offered. They were all fine, although the steam room didn't feel that clean so I didn't stay long. The pool area didn't have any windows at all, and it felt like swimming in a basement. The subdued lighting gave the area a gloomy feel, and also showed up how tired the whole area looked.

Check-Out:
More queues. However the bill was accurate and the whole process took less that two minutes.

Hilton markets itself as a five star hotel, but in almost every area, it falls short of what I know as five star.

Turndown service is not provided - unless you ask for it.
Collecting trays after room service not provided - unless you ask for it. And even then it wasn't done. On the second order, I had to wheel the tray outside the door six hours after calling for collection.
Newspapers are offered - but not delivered.
Room service - the rooms were serviced from about 8am in the morning - want a lie in - then again, ask them, otherwise you'll get a knock at the door!

If you do stay at the Hilton Glasgow, there's every possibility you'll have a good stay. But just don't imagine that this is five star!





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