Review: Hampton By Hilton - Sheffield

A recent addition on the Sheffield hotel scene has been the Hampton by Hilton hotel. Housed in the former police headquarters for South Yorkshire police, the outside of the building may look the same but inside they have torn everything out and started afresh.

The hotel is a short walk from the city centre and is ideal if you are going to see a show at Sheffield City Hall or want to do some shopping in the city centre. A number of guests I spoke to were using the hotel as a base for visiting the Meadowhall Shopping centre and visiting Chatsworth House.

There is an on site car park that is mostly covered and a reasonable £8.00 charge for 24 hours.

First impressions were good, we were met with a real friendly Yorkshire welcome by the receptionist, who explained the breakfast times, made suggestions from the menu at Marco's restaurant, which is within the hotel complex and asked if we had experienced a good journey. It was refreshing to be addressed as Mr instead of a "guy" which seems to be the norm these days.

On arrival in our room we found it to be spotlessly clean, there was a large flat screen TV, hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities, a free safe which could house a laptop, a comfy queen size bed, a comfy arm chair and a well equipped bathroom. The friendly receptionist phoned and asked if everything was in order within 15 minutes of arriving in our room, which was a nice touch.

A novel idea was a collage over the bed which made sure you knew you were in Sheffield as it showed the Town Hall, the Botanical Gardens, a snooker table and another photo of the heavy industries you associate with the city.

The free Wi Fi was very quick and if you are staying on business or leisure it will be more than adequate for your needs. Download speeds were at the top end of the scale.

The connecting door that separates the wardrobe and bathroom could take a bit of getting used to and it would be easy to get your fingers trapped. It is an idea borrowed from German hotel chains such as Motel One.

After an excellent nights sleep a buffet breakfast awaits you which is included in the room price. You could go for a full English, make your own waffles with the waffle maker or go continental with croissants and coffee. If you are in a rush and just want a coffee and a muffin they provide take away bags so you can eat on the go.

There is an on site gym too just in case you want to burn off the pounds after eating too much at the extensive buffet breakfast!

The hotel have trained the staff well and that is one of the factors that make it such a good hotel, along with clean comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. Once you have stayed here it feels like the best hotel in the centre of the city.

http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com