Doubletree, Woking England
I was in London for New Year's Eve, and to say that hotels in London were out of my price range would be a understatement of the extreme. So I widened my search to the hinterlands, concentrating the search to near train stations. I found an exceptionally reasonable property close to the train at the Doubletree in Woking.Arrival
So I took the tube system to Earls Court (there is a really nice ring bus on a 20 minute ride but it doesn't run on Sundays, go figure), and then transferred to go back to Wimbledon, then on the Southwestern train line to Woking. Overall not a bad trip at all. Overland rail gets a lot of grief but it was running like clockwork when I was there.It was a couple blocks past endless barber shops (it's a thing in Woking) to the hotel.
The Room
I arrived a bit early, but they had already upgraded me to the largest room they had. It's not huge, but it was big enough for me as one person with all my crap to feel like I had ample space.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining
With Bar92, where I used my drink voucher, Wocca Grill where I had Breakfast, both are actually quite nice. It was a very quiet couple of days at the hotel, but these places were more than I expected for sure in service and quality.Amenities
A smaller, but functional with free weights and a lot of cardio machines, and an emergency pull string in the middle of the room.
Spread out lobby waiting area, was actually used a lot for people waiting for friends to arrive or collect them
All rooms are equal here on the top floor
Crabtree & Evelyn, the Hilton brand standard worldwide. It's ok, not what I would say is a luxurious brand
Nice status perk
The welcome letter, and don't worry the wifi password has changed by now
Lots of space in Bar92, and low seated comfort
All the drinks. They stop at middle level, but quite drinkable, scotch
The full menu of everything at Wocca and Bar92
I had the wings, because... well, I'm still hunting for the perfect buffalo wing in England. These were acceptable.
When in England, one goes full English
Cold cuts, cold fruit, cold smoothies
Cereals and breads, so a decent, more than average, buffet layout
Summary
A bit out from London, but if you catch the non-stop train, 20 minutes to Waterloo station, which is as good as any tube run from well, almost anywhere in London.Very reasonable rates, super quiet and cozy, and good food. I, as an entitled high-end traveler, really liked this hotel. There is nothing preventing you from taking advantage of being a bit outside the core and enjoying a smaller town with the countryside right there.