insideKENT Magazine Issue 68 - November 2017 | Page 128

GETAWAYS
HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE
LONDON IS JUST SUCH A VAST CITY, EVEN IF – IN TERMS OF SQUARE
MILES AT LEAST – IT IS RELATIVELY SMALL. THERE IS SO MUCH TO
SEE AND DO THERE THAT AN OVERNIGHT STAY IS OFTEN THE BEST
WAY TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF A VISIT TO THE CAPITAL. PICKING
ONE HOTEL OUT OF THE PLETHORA THAT EXIST IN LONDON IS A
TOUGH JOB, HOWEVER, AND ONE THAT CAN BE RATHER HIT AND
MISS, BUT SOMETHING THAT MAKES THAT JOB A WHOLE LOT
EASIER IS KNOWING THAT THE FIVE-STAR HILTON BANKSIDE OFFERS
PRIME LOCATION, ULTIMATE COMFORT, AND SOME OF THE BEST
FOOD IN THE CITY AT ITS ADJOINING OXBO BANKSIDE
RESTAURANT. LOOKING FOR LONDON LODGING? THEN LOOK NO
FURTHER THAN HERE. BY SARAH GREENE
The Hilton Bankside has 292 well-appointed
rooms that are as luxurious as they are ideal
for exploring London itself. From here you
can easily (and quickly) get to The Shard, St
Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,
the London Eye and the Southbank – which
includes Shrek’s Adventure, the London
Dungeon and the Sea Life London Aquarium,
as well as Borough Market.
Back to those rooms, though...modern, with
a grey and black colour scheme and wooden
accents, they’re comfortable and calming. The
mini bar offers free chocolate, water and soft
drinks, which is an unusual and welcome
touch, and there’s an actual coffee machine
in the room, so you can wake up to proper
coffee, making all the difference first thing in
the morning. The large bathroom was
impressive and just the right type of relaxing
space that’s required after a day out in London
amongst the crowds. Exhilarating though the
hustle and bustle of the city may be, having a
sanctuary like this to come back to is a
necessary joy.
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As is having a good restaurant onsite. No taxis
and no trips on the underground, just a quick
journey from room to restaurant where you
can sample some of the finest cuisine created
by one of the most exciting new chefs in the
city, Paul Bates.
The OXBO Bankside caters for hungry guests
wanting breakfast, lunch or dinner, and we
opted for a leisurely evening meal. After being
welcomed warmly and seated, we were given
ample time to take in our surroundings and
browse the menu. The relaxed, contemporary
theme seen throughout the hotel continues
into the restaurant and its ambience strikes a
perfect balance between informal and
professional. Thanks to the fake animals heads
lining the walls – there’s even a unicorn
presiding over things – and the chilled-out
atmosphere, there is no standing to attention
and no pretension, which is never a bad thing.
We started with the ceviche of butternut with
pink grapefruit, coriander and cod cheeks,
and the pea and mint soup. This was followed
by the Josper-roasted stone bass with celeriac
puree, mouli, crab and watercress, and the
Blythburgh pork belly with caramelised onions,
duck egg and a shallot jus. Every dish was
delicious; cleverly paired with the right
seasonal ingredients and delicately balanced.
Dessert came next in the form of raspberry
crème brulee and baked cheesecake with a
berry compote. Oh wow. Our
recommendation is to make sure you have
dessert at the OXBO, even if you don’t feel you
can manage it – it’s so good, as is the whole
package, actually – book a stay here and you
won’t regret it.
Hilton London Bankside
2-8 Great Suffolk St
London
SE1 0UG
020 3667 5600
www3.hilton.com
HiltonBankside
HiltonLondonBankside