The hotel hosts thousands of events each year, varying from small meetings to global conventions. Three to 3,000 can meet, two to 2,000 can eat, one to 1,000 can sleep – all under one roof, nestled in the heart of London.
This month Business Destinations recognises Hilton London Metropole as the best hotel for meetings, incentives, conferences and events in the UK for 2010. The hotel was recognised for achieving overall excellence in efficiency, quality of information available to clients and superior standards in accommodation and services to business travellers.
Now more than ever, an accolade such as this takes on a major significance. It recognises industry excellence and achievement in a time that has been exceptionally challenging.
“We are extremely proud to be recognised as the best conference and meetings hotel in the UK,” says the hotel’s general manager, Avner On. “The award is a testament to our dedication to continuously improve the services we offer our customers, despite the current economic climate.” So what exactly is it that puts the Hilton London Metropole a cut above the rest?
Clients, not numbers
At the Hilton London Metropole good old customer service is thriving, ensuring that clients are never made to feel like they are merely a number in the system. The dedicated team take the time to get to know their clients to ensure they have a clear understanding of their objectives and know how their clients think and operate.
This personalised approach ensures every client’s unique needs are met, down to the smallest detail. For example, staff once noticed a client was not drinking the wine on offer at a conference. They asked the client if he liked the wine and discovered that he does not drink wine and prefers diet cola or beer. Since then, whenever that customer visits the hotel, the team ensure there is always a beer and diet cola in his room.
For an event organiser, comprehensive information about floor plans, room maps, seating arrangements and menus are the foundation tools for every event. The Hilton London Metropole recognises this and provides every client with an electronic proposal whereby they can virtually view all the information they need.
The hotel was clearly built with meetings and conferences in mind. It boasts a 4,100sq m flexible and pillar free meeting space, bespoke catering packages and premium accommodation. The hotel even has its own private service road to allow buses to drop off and collect guests and for trucks to deliver and pick up goods for events. It also boasts a dedicated on-property audiovisual team and all the extra trimmings that make for a successful event.
Continuing to invest
The Hilton London Metropole is constantly investing in new initiatives to provide clients with more first class services and facilities. Recently the hotel announced it was investing £1.8m in a refurbishment of bedrooms and public areas in its west wing.
As phase one of a larger project, a third of all Hilton Deluxe Plus rooms, as well as lift lobbies and corridors on three floors, will be fully refurbished. The rooms will be given a modern twist with a contemporary design in fresh colours. New furniture, carpets, lighting and ultra-comfortable beds will enhance the guest experience. The built-in continental and US sockets, ergonomic chairs, working areas and LCD flat screens in the Deluxe Plus bedrooms and apartments will provide increased comfort and convenience when staying at the hotel.
Other investments have included a £2m complete refurbishment in the hotel’s Deluxe rooms in the tower building and a £500,000 project installing LCD flat screens in all bedrooms. The hotel also invested £200,000 in the transformation of the lift lobby and corridor leading to the executive lounge in the hotel’s east wing in May 2009.
When it comes to meetings and events, location is key: the Metropole is conveniently located just five minutes from London’s Oxford Street, Marble Arch and only 15 minutes by train from Heathrow – making it very accessible for people flying in from outside the UK. It can also be accessed via London’s Underground railway network and for those driving in from out of town, it is just moments off the A40. Local attractions, including the theatre district, Hyde Park and Harrods Knightsbridge provide event attendees with an abundance of things to do and see during their stay.
The final element that sets the Hilton London Metropole apart from its competitors is the quality and service synonymous with the Hilton brand. Hilton Hotels is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton enables travellers to be at their best 24/7, whether travelling for business or leisure.
