Hilton London Syon Park

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Syon Park, this Hilton has a truly stunning setting. The park and estate is the country home of the Duke of Northumberland. This pastoral setting is among only a few similar properties in London, with a fairytale-esque castle complete with turrets and breathtaking grounds. The hotel itself is a couple of minutes’ walk from the house and gardens, with a large parking lot out front and an attractive, slightly residential, facade. Interiors are chic and comfortable, with plenty of posh touches -- each area has its own individual style. For instance, it’s all rich olive tones and purple-pinks in the lounge, with velvet and leather fabrics creating a handsome first impression. Elsewhere, in the Marco Pierre White Restaurant, there’s a more classic and restrained style, with grassy greens and browns predominating as well as formal armchairs. The large lobby is bright and airy, with something of a greenhouse feel, which is befitting given there’s a Great Conservatory over at Syon Park House.

During the summer months, guests tend to spill out of the lounge area to the outside terrace. Generous cabanas line the space and flank the central water feature, which runs the length of the terrace, ending at the oldest bonsai tree in Europe. Pink, white, and purple flowers decorate wooden boxes around the water and Moorish lanterns complete the look. This hotel offers competitive rates -- especially given the number of high-end features and size of the rooms -- but travelers can expect a long journey into central London.

Strangers to London probably won’t have heard of Brentford, and for good reason. What it lacks in tourist hotspots it makes up for with transport routes, having good access to commuter motorways as well as Syon Lane and Isleworth Stations. The immediate area around the hotel, however, is removed from the commuter traffic and there isn’t much in the way of restaurants and bars. Shopping is limited to a few local convenience stores unless you don't mind traveling farther afield. The Syon Park Wyevale Garden Centre is two minutes away on foot and has a cafe. Otherwise, it’s a longer but scenic 12-minute walk to the London Apprentice Pub, which sits by the riverside just outside the estate. The hotel is almost equidistant from Boston Manor Station and Richmond Station, Boston Manor takes 17 minutes to reach by bus and Richmond takes 25 minutes. For journeys into central London, Boston Manor Station is the way to go. From here, the Piccadilly line reaches Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus in 30 minutes. Top London landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben take an hour to reach by bus and train. For the charms of West London, it's best to head to Richmond, where there are theaters, boutique stores, quaint pubs, and plenty of good restaurants and cocktail bars. It takes half an hour from the hotel to reach Kew Gardens, which has a large and diverse botanical collection. For corporate guests, The City takes just over an hour to get to by train or car. There’s ample parking available on-site, which is just as well because it's often easier to drive from this location. Heathrow Airport is just a 20-minute drive away or 40 minutes by train. Luton and Gatwick Airports take just over an hour to reach by car.

The 137 rooms are modern and strikingly large, but the most impressive element are the furnished balconies overlooking the communal lawn. Interiors consist of gray carpeted floors, plush purple armchairs, and gray cushioned headboards. The color palette is clearly aiming for chic and refined, but can be a bit dark and one-note, with not enough purple accents to lift all the grays. Other unusual design features include the dangling chandeliers that add a little whimsy. Beds are comfy and have crisp white linens and plenty of large pillows, rooms also include at least one velvet armchair. There are long desks in all the rooms with separate desk chairs in black leather.

High-end amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, plus large wardrobes with safes. Decadent bathrooms have black and white tiling, alongside some marble. Bathrooms feature a mixture of showers and bathtubs or a combination of both, in addition to premium toiletries and hairdryers. The built-in TVs in the showers, while not the most practical feature, do impress previous guests. The best option is the King Deluxe Room, which is similar in look and style to the other rooms but much larger, with a bigger TV and bathroom.

The hotel’s main draw, aside from its parkland setting, are the Kallima Spa, The Terrace, and the Mood in the Park restaurant & bar. During the weekend the Kallima Spa gets understandably busy. On the ground floor of the hotel, it’s a sumptuous, moodily-lit space characterized by lots fuchsia and mustard tones, along with a good helping of rich velvet. Treatment rooms are surprisingly big and luxurious, with mosaic tiled walls and a peaceful vibe. Alongside the usual range of spa treatments, the hotel offers signature packages using ELEMIS products. Manicures and pedicures are also available. There’s also a decent-sized pool, lit in a similarly atmospheric way, with plenty of seating, and a modern fitness center with Technogym equipment.

The Terrace houses several cabanas, a central water feature, ample seating, and a beach-hut-style bar. This should be a destination, but Syon Park’s out of the way location ensures it remains a bit of a secret. The style out here is loosely based around the ancient bonsai tree that sits at one end of the terrace, but despite the calm trickling water, there’s a convivial and social vibe thanks to the cabanas and beach hut bar. Inside, the Mood in the Park restaurant & bar offers a more formal setting with an extensive range of menus covering dinner, dessert, afternoon tea, as well a dedicated vegan menu. Breakfast is a continental buffet and is served in here in the mornings; there are also cooked options for an added charge. Next-door, the bar -- which is infinitely more stylish -- serves a light bites menu and drinks.

Several well-equipped and versatile meeting rooms round off the list of features at this hotel. Though they weren’t busy during our visit, the hotel is particularly popular for events and has a large ballroom. It is also worth mentioning Syon Lounge, a sushi restaurant and shisha lounge that adjoins the Hilton building. It’s busy in the evenings.