DoubleTree Westminster re-opens as The Westminster, Curio Collection

Hilton’s DoubleTree Westminster re-opened yesterday with a new name, The Westminster, and a new Hilton brand – Curio Collection.

The hotel has been fully refurbished during its closure (room photo above). All 464 rooms now come with 50 inch TV’s, high-pressure rainfall showers and Nespresso machines.

The restaurant will be replaced on 1st June by the second London branch of STK, a fine dining steakhouse with its own bowling alley! Guests also have the option of visiting Bao Yum Café, which serves steamed bao buns and Taiwanese small plates.

The new website is here.

The Westminster is the fourth Curio Collection hotel in London alongside The Trafalgar St James, 100 Queens Gate and Lincoln Plaza. (EDIT: either Hilton can’t count or something is up – they forgot to include the Hart in Shoreditch.)

Curio is a brand focused on high-end, often independently managed, hotels which want to be part of the Hilton ‘system’ without diligently following every rule in a brand manual.

In general we have been impressed by the Curio hotels we have seen although the portfolio seems to have a high level of churn – independent hotels seem to try it for a couple of year and, if it isn’t adding value, pull out.

You can find out more on this page of hilton.com.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (December 2021)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with American Express Gold (20,000 bonus points), the American Express Rewards Credit Card (5,000 bonus points) and – for small business owners – American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus points) and Business Platinum (40,000 bonus points).

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)