We recently had the chance to visit the gorgeous Hilton London Bankside hotel. It was an incredible visit, so I decided to share all the details of it here. So, this is our full Hilton London Bankside review. Including the magical Christmas brunch at their OXBO London restaurant, complete with a Santa meet-and-greet for the kids and a tour of their family-friendly rooms.
While the Hilton London Bankside is a great London family hotel year-round, this festive experience is especially perfect for families visiting London at Christmas. Whether you’re planning a special holiday outing or searching for family accommodation in London, Hilton Bankside offers a delightful mix of seasonal cheer, excellent food, and luxury that both kids and adults will love.
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DISCLAIMER: We visited the Hilton London Bankside for the OXBO festive brunch as a PR Visit. I was not obliged to write this post, but we genuinely loved it, so I wanted to share it with you all! I also asked for a room tour for the purpose of my blog, as people always ask me for London Hotel recommendations. This post also uses affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you, and I am extremely grateful, as it helps me to run my blog.
Our Hilton London Bankside Review
We had such a great experience at the Hilton London Bankside; the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful to us throughout our time there. Below, I am going to share everything you need to know about this family hotel in London.
Practical Information About the Hilton London Bankside
To start this Hilton London Bankside review, I thought I would give you some useful information to know about the hotel before you arrive.
Where is the Hilton London Bankside Located?
There are many Hilton Hotels across London. This particular one is conveniently located about halfway between London Bridge and London Waterloo train stations, both being approximately a 15-minute walk away. I’ve written a full guide on the best areas to stay in London for families, linked here.
Southwark Underground Station (on the Jubilee line) is only a 5-minute walk, and this is an accessible station for families visiting with a pushchair (stroller) or lots of luggage. There are also multiple other tube stations within walking distance.
London is a huge city; it’s not possible to see it all on foot. Here, you’ll be close to some of London’s top tourist attractions, including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and The Sky Garden. You will also have easy public transport access to the rest of London’s sights.
London Waterloo is the station you would use if you’re planning a day trip to Richmond, Windsor or Hampton Court.
Is There Parking?
Valet parking is available for £40 a day. However, I would highly recommend you avoid driving in London and make the most of public transport instead!
Meeting with Santa before the brunch and Santa greeting children during the brunch.
BOOK: THE HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE HERE.
What Other Amenities Does The Hilton London Bankside Offer?
This is a London hotel with a pool, spa and fitness centre. They also have a bar and restaurant on site (which I shall talk more about below).
Check-in is 3 pm, and checkout is 12 noon, which is great as you dont need to rush. They are also happy to store your luggage for you until your room is ready.
Family Tips
The Hilton London Bankside is a very family-friendly hotel. The offer family rooms (which I shall talk about in more detail below). Children under 12 also eat for free at the buffet breakfast with a paying adult.
They also have a lot of small touches that make this hotel perfect for families visiting London, such as a pick-and-mix candy cart in the lobby and sweet gifts for children to take home with them.
Arrival and Check In
From the moment you enter, this feels like a luxury experience. Visiting at Christmas time, the lobby was decorated with beautiful festive decor that we all loved to see.
The staff were ready to welcome us, and they were great with our children. They also gave them a little book about their fox mascot and his adventures around London while he was staying at the hotel.
Festive Christmas decorations in the lobby of the Hilton London Bankside Hotel.
The Festive Christmas Brunch with Santa at OXBO Bankside
On Sundays in November and December, the OXBO Bankside restaurant, located at the Hilton London Bankside, offers a special festive Christmas Brunch with Santa. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to book this experience!
This was an amazing experience and perfect for a family Christmas treat. This visit started with a meet and greet with Santa, he chatted with our children and then gave them a gift to take home. The gifts were a playdough set for my toddler, and my 5-year-old son got a magic sand kit.
We then went through to the restaurant, which was beautifully decorated with more festive touches, and live music was playing.
Christmas Decorations & Eggs, Florantie from the fresh kitchen.
This festive Christmas brunch includes so much delicious food. The exact food on the menu changes every week, but you will get similar to:
- Unlimited Starters – from a selection on the buffet and also from the fresh kitchen, serving things like freshly prepared eggs Benedict and pancakes and waffles that you can add your own topping to.
- A roast dinner – we could choose from chicken or beef. There was also a vegetarian option.
- Unlimited desserts – from the amazing selection on the buffet. There is also a cute little candy area for children.
- Drinks – you have the option to add drinks to your meal. You can upgrade to bottomless fizz or wine. We had this, and my glass was constantly being topped up! Children get unlimited slushies; these tasted like fresh fruit slushies, rather than the bright ones filled with E numbers and additives!
Prices are: £42 for adults or £62, which includes 2 hours of free-flowing bubbles or wine. Children aged 3-12 are £25, which includes a gift from Santa and under 2’s can eat for free!
BOOK: THE FESTIVE BRUNCH WITH SANTA HERE
Unlimited starters and desserts at the OXBO Bankside Brunch.
Other Food Options at Hilton London Bankside
Throughout the year, the OXBO Bankside offers an à la Carte menu, as well as Saturday and Sunday Brunch.
For children, there is a dedicated kids’ menu.
The hotel also has a bar, called The Distillery, which specialises in gin and cocktails but also offers a food menu of nibbles and pub classics.
Family Rooms at Hilton London Bankside
One of the things I think sets this hotel apart is the family rooms. The room I viewed was an adjoining room. This means you get two bedrooms and two bathrooms linked through a connecting door (which can be left open if you wish). This is great for families with younger children, as you can put them to bed in one room and parents can be in the other room with the light on for a while.
Complimentary cots for babies are available on request.
The hotel also adds some extra touches to make the stay extra special for kids. These include cute little fox stuffies and mini-sized dressing gowns (bath robes).
Why Hilton London Bankside Is a Great Family Hotel (Especially at Christmas)
To conclude this Hilton London Bankside review, I’m going to share a quick summary of why this London hotel is great for families:
- Convenient Location – within walking distance of major stations and some of London’s top attractions, with easy transport links for others.
- Family-Friendly Rooms – ideal for families visiting London.
- Amazing Staff – who were great with my kids.
- Great Amenities – with a pool, spa and fitness centre on site.
- Plenty of Food Options – a restaurant and bar area, with a kids’ menu. And kids under 12 eat breakfast for free with a paying adult.
- Extra Special Touches – from the candy cart in the lobby to little gifts in the room, this hotel goes all out to make your visit special.
- Seasonal Decor – children and parents alike will enjoy the holiday decor in the lobby and restaurant.
BOOK: THE HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE HERE.
Thank you for reading our Hilton London Bankside Review, including the OXBO Bankside festive brunch with Santa. We hope you enjoy this London family hotel!
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CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH KIDS: THE BEST THINGS TO DO
Happy Exploring,
