DoubleTree by Hilton London Kingston-upon-Thames Opens in The Heart of the Royal Borough
The beautifully designed DoubleTree by Hilton London Kingston-upon-Thames is now open. Set a stone’s throw away from the River Thames in the heart of the Royal Borough of Kingston, this contemporary, angular building is the first upscale hotel within the riverside town. The industrial-chic interior design celebrates the town’s rich aviation heritage, paying homage to local hero Harry Hawker, whose 1920s aviation company designed the famous Hawker Harrier Jump Jet.
Just a short 12-mile trip or 25-minute train ride from Central London, DoubleTree by Hilton is located in one of London’s liveliest boroughs with its rich mix of retail, arts and culture, perfect for both business and leisure.
The hotel offers 146 bedrooms including three Junior suites and Three Twin Queen Bed Deluxe rooms; destination restaurant, Hawkers Bar & Brasserie; dynamic meeting and events spaces for up to 260 guests; and on-site gym with a state-of-the-art equipment.
The Interior
Inspired by the glamour of the Art Deco movement, the hotel is finished in a colour palette of soft cream and natural browns with pops of rich teal and copper, creating a warm and inviting yet contemporary-cool welcome. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, illuminating the aviation artefacts dotted throughout. Notes of marble, glass and buttery leather bring added opulence while soft velvet chairs and plush sofas and stylish stools offer the perfect place to relax and unwind.
The Bedrooms
Elegant guestrooms are equally suited to business and leisure, whether enjoying a quick overnight stay or a luxurious weekend away. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views out over the town, with a number of rooms featuring a corner balcony. Key features include a signature Sweet Dreams® bed, walk-in showers, 43” smart TVs and hand-designed carpets featuring geometries and colours depicting an aerial view of Kingston-upon-Thames. All rooms also include a large working desk with ergonomic seating and complimentary premium Wi-Fi. En suite bathrooms come in a luxurious mix of natural wood, marble and glass with a hand-selected range of toiletries from holistic beauty brand Crabtree and Evelyn. Furthermore, the Junior Suites and Twin Queen Deluxe rooms provide 35sq m of space, a separate living area, 55” TV and 300 thread count bed linen, bathrobes and slippers.
Hawkers Bar & Brasserie
The ground floor Hawkers Bar & Brasserie is open for hearty breakfasts, smart lunches, indulgent dinners and stylish after-dark cocktails. Head Chef, Darren Edwards’ modern British menu features signature dishes such as Hawker’s puff pie; blackened sea bass with smoked fennel; slow-cooked rib of beef with smoked garlic mash; and 28-day dry-aged steaks. Those looking for something more casual can tuck into knock-out burgers and a bar menu of nibbles and snacks that includes crispy whitebait with home-made tartar sauce and mini lamb koftas with mint raita. The Chef’s Table offers guests a view of the kitchen brigade in action and can be booked for semi-private events.
The stylish and elegant lounge bar champions local brews and spirits with beers, including Spanker’s IPA and Gallow’s Gold from nearby Park Brewery, and a gin library where local Beckett’s Gin takes centre stage. A collection of creative and classic cocktails ranges from martinis and mojitos through to The Aviator, the bar’s signature blend of Beckett’s gin, fresh lemon, Crème de Violette, Maraschino liqueur & sugar. A 35-strong wine list has been curated by restaurant general manager Merlin Romas (previously assistant head sommelier at Pollen Street Social).
In-House Gym
The 24-hour fitness room offers state-of-the-art equipment for both cardio and strength training with free weights; a treadmill; exercise bike and plenty of mats.
Events
The events spaces combine contemporary styling with nods to the ancient market town’s history. Up to 260 guests can be hosted in the breath-taking Sopwith Suite, named after Sopwith Aviation Company where Harry Hawker was the chief pilot. The 210 square metre space is ideal for weddings and grand celebrations, but can also be divided into two meeting rooms offering state-of-the-art AV equipment, ClickShare Technology and fully controllable mood lighting. Two additional meetings rooms can accommodate between ten and 40 delegates.
Location
The hotel makes for the perfect city escape with loved ones as well as being ideally located for business stays. Trains will whisk guests from London Waterloo to Kingston-Upon-Thames in just 28 minutes, with additional connections via Reading and Clapham Junction from Heathrow and Gatwick airports respectively.
Set just a less than a minute’s walk from the River Thames, and within easy distance of Hampton Court Palace, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and Wimbledon, there’s plenty to do on the hotel’s doorstep and with over 500 stores, two shopping malls, a bustling market place as well as artisan food shops, Kingston gives you all the choice you’d find in central London.