DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre

Reception staff were friendly, and everywhere was clean. The room was spacious, the bathroom adequate, and the decor reasonable, though the bathroom could use an update. A couple of things would be easy to improve: for a reasonably upmarket hotel, I’d expect a smart TV, especially since budget chains have them everywhere. And with two guests, I’d expect two bottles of water instead of one. Most budget hotels manage that without thinking. All in all, a nice experience as far as Hilton hotels go.

I stay here every month for work, and the location suits me well. It’s by the canal, which is lovely for a morning walk, and close to restaurants, the train station, and Wellington Place. The breakfast is good, but the coffee is terrible. I’ve asked if I can have coffee from the bar instead, and only one staff member has agreed so far. Reception staff are nice, while breakfast staff can be unhelpful and often seem busy doing their own thing. I usually have to work hard to get their attention. The mattress could be better too. For a good night’s sleep, I prefer Novotel, the Hilton City Leeds, and Premier Inn, where the mattresses are much more comfortable.

Rooms are clean and nice, and the staff are really friendly. The hotel sits right behind the train station, less than a five-minute walk away, and it’s by the canal. Breakfast includes both a full English and continental options, at a reasonable price. If you arrive before check-in is ready, they’ll hold your bag for you. I’ll definitely stay here again when I’m next in Leeds.

The Sky Bar was a real highlight, with great cocktails and a brilliant view of the Leeds skyline from the outdoor area. The standard queen room wasn’t very big, but it was comfortable. I could hear some trains, though it wasn’t a major problem and didn’t disturb my sleep. The receptionist was lovely and welcoming, and the warm cookie at check-in was a nice touch. Breakfast was the only meal I had at the restaurant. It was a good all-you-can-eat buffet, at the standard I’d expect from a Hilton. The location worked well for a one-night stopover, right by the train station and a short walk from the city centre. Elland Road was a manageable 40-minute walk away.