Hilton London Metropole hotel review: Affordable luxury and city views in London's 'Little Arabia'

With no shortage of options, location and price are often the deciding factors when choosing a London hotel. For travellers from the GCC, the Hilton London Metropole offers a compelling blend of both. Situated on the city's vibrant Edgware Road , with its wealth of Middle Eastern restaurants, this central location provides easy access to the capital while catering to specific cultural preferences, making it popular with guests from the region – more than 65 per cent of its summer bookings in 2023 were from the GCC. Last year, the hotel was renovated to offer more family accommodation options, including interconnecting rooms and a three-bedroom penthouse with skyline views, plus a new prayer room. The National checked in to experience first-hand what the property has to offer. It is 8am when we reach reception in the spacious lobby of the Hilton London Metropole. Having arrived straight from the airport, we’re entirely grateful that our room is ready early. A smooth check-in includes an explanation of the hotel’s layout, which despite having grown its footprint over the years to now offer more than 1,000 rooms, somehow retains the vibe of a boutique-sized hotel. The hotel occupies a large corner plot on Edgware Road, London's Little Arabia and a multicultural district filled with a large number of Middle Eastern eateries and businesses. Located between Marble Arch and the Marylebone flyover, the street is easily accessible via driving routes and just a short walk from the London Underground stop of the same name on the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines. While this is ideal for getting around without having to splurge on taxis, the lack of lifts at the station make it less handy when travelling with a heavy suitcase. On Edgware Road, Arabic music and the heady scents of shisha are a reminder of home for GCC travellers and both make for a vibrant walk down to Hyde Park and Marble Arch. Oxford Street and Regent Street are also within walking distance meaning there's no shortage of dining, shopping and entertainment options. For international travellers, the Hilton London Metropole is a short distance from Paddington Station where the Heathrow Express can get you to the country’s busiest airport in 15 minutes. Gatwick is reachable in about an hour. Our eighth-floor king executive room is in the stylishly renovated East Wing. While compact, it features all the essentials for a city stay, from a widescreen TV opposite a king-size bed to a Dualit coffee machine and ample tea-making facilities. The bathroom has a good-sized sink and generous corner shower unit with rain attachment, white and grey marble effect tiles and Crabtree & Evelyn lotions and gels, wall-attached to save on waste. Tapering into an angled corner, the bedroom boasts a dark blue sofa, matching curtains and a small marble-topped coffee table. A dressing table doubles as a work area on top of a grey patterned carpet, while muted beige walls and wood panelling add to the mellow interior vibe. A balcony overlooks adjacent offices and apartment buildings, although restricted access prevents guests from going out. From our early morning check-in through to our departure, there’s a noticeable cheerfulness among staff, even during peak times at the busy breakfast service. Our waiter during dinner at Tyburn Kitchen is helpful with menu suggestions, including being able to point out which dishes are halal, and securing us a good table from where we can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen. A mixed scene awaits at the hotel which is popular with families, couples and business travellers alike. Off the main reception is the Bow Bar with convivial seating around a circular serving area. There are plenty of tables and comfy spots that fill up fast both evenings of our stay. A broad corridor leads past a well-staffed concierge desk and the airy Tyburn Market cafe area that serves a variety of snacks. A spacious modern gym equipped with Life Fitness running machines and Peloton bikes awaits, and you’ll also get some steps in finding the space through a warren of third floor corridors. The facility includes plenty of strength equipment, a dedicated stretching area, and health tracking connectivity. Hotel eco credentials include 100 per cent of electricity generated from offshore wind farms, and staff uniforms fashioned from recycled plastic bottles. Property mascot Hugo the hedgehog is a cute addition and the hotel's nod towards conservation of the species – younger travellers checking in are given a Hugo-themed passport and a map for the "Hugo Hotel Hunt" – where they can track down the furry creatures around the property. Tyburn Market is a vibrant casual lobby dining area with a good sandwich selection beside more substantial snacks and grab and go options, while its next-door namesake, Tyburn Kitchen, deals in tasty bigger plates with 90 per cent of ingredients sourced within 150km of the hotel. The lively open kitchen delivers a varied selection of which our spiced duck tostadas (Dh67) were an immediate hit, although arguably overgenerous with the delicious filling of braised duck, chestnuts, mushrooms, garlic and dried plums. Seared sea bass with Weymouth crab and capsicum rice (Dh168) proved a wise main choice, as did a whopper of a tomahawk with cold pressed rape seed oil mash, sage, and bacon jam (Dh134). Tyburn Kitchen is also the main breakfast venue, opening into extra sections during the busiest times. For guests with access to the executive lounge, there’s a calmer breakfast option available here. This is also the place to go each evening at 6pm for delicious canapes such as Korean chicken, moreish potato falafel, mini Bakewell tarts and creme brulee, but get there promptly as the offerings are quickly snapped up. We loved the hotel’s location which is perfect for sightseeing – and furry mascot Hugo the hedgehog adds a fun twist for kids. Patience is needed when waiting for the hotel lifts during busy times. Breakfast can get super busy, so seek out the "hidden" area in the top corner alcove of the dining room for a calmer experience. Good to know – the Executive Lounge is currently being upgraded, with March 1 the date set for its reopening. The English capital offers a vast range of hotels, but if budget and convenience for the London Underground and walkable attractions dictate then the Hilton London Metropole is a comfortable, solid choice. Rates start from Dh730 per night, room only. Check-in from 3pm; checkout until noon This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future.

Hilton London Metropole hotel review: Affordable luxury and city views in London's 'Little Arabia'

Located on cosmopolitan Edgware Road, this four-star hotel has long-been popular with GCC travellers