REVIEW: Al Fresco Lunch at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

When we heard that DoubleTree by Hilton had opened up for outdoor dining and had expanded their al fresco area, we were delighted to come along and try it out for ourselves on a very sunny spring afternoon!

On arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who checked us in. The hotel itself is super covid safe – they are currently open for essential stays and of course outdoor dining, and you can really see they’ve worked hard to ensure all guidelines are being met. There is plenty of hand sanitiser to use, track and trace barcodes in various places around the hotel and distancing stickers to ensure people are keeping their distance. All the staff are wearing masks at all times, the building is very well ventilated and the spacious lobby makes it very easy for everyone to keep a safe distance.

Once the friendly receptionist had taken our details and checked our cars in, we were led to the door taking us out to the sunny terrace. Just before we entered the sun-drenched al fresco dining area, we were asked to sanitise our hands and use the track and trace barcode to input our details.

All the tables were in the sun (which was greatly appreciated on this particular day as it was a little chilly in the shade), however there were plenty of umbrellas to provide shadiness for those hot summer days. We were seated and handed the lunch menu by our lovely waitress. We feasted our eyes across the extensive menu and were in awe of just how many different options there were. Pizza, burgers, toasties, salads, as well as a fantastic drinks menu too. We ordered drinks first – myself opting for a pink gin and lemonade, and Phoebe went for a fresh apple juice. They arrived within minutes of ordering and both were very refreshing and perfect for sipping in the sun whilst we awaited our lunch!

After staring at the extensive and extremely impressive menu, Phoebe opted for the Aberdeen Angus Beef Burger. This succulent, juicy and flavoursome beef burger was a fantastic choice! The beef patty was so tender and was bursting with flavour and seasoned to perfection. It was situated between two pieces of toasted seeded buttermilk bread that added a delicious crunch. Plus, the traditional burger toppings were included such as fresh lettuce leaves, melted cheddar cheese and 3 slices of tomato.  

This outstanding beef burger was paired with deliciously salted skin-on-fries which dipped in their homemade spicy tomato relish was mouth-watering. Plus, it came with two gherkins on the side that when added into the beef burger created the perfect salty burger topping. This exceptional beef burger was priced at £14.50 and was worth every penny! It was sensational and highly recommended.

After lots of deliberating, I decided on a Barrel & Stone pizza – opting for a classic Margherita. It was absolutely delicious and so moreish! The rustic combination of tangy tomato sauce and rich mozzarella was just perfect, served up in true, authentic Italian style. The thin based crust was cooked to perfection, with a delightful crispiness and the cheese topping just melted in the mouth. Priced at just £11 for a 12” pizza, I thought this was extremely reasonable and it left me feeling very full and satisfied!

The service was exceptional from start to finish, with our lovely waiter and waitress ensuring we were happy with our meal, if we needed any condiments or more drinks. We both also felt very safe in the environment, with tables situated a good distance away from each other and there is plenty of space for people to walk past if they need to. A one-way system in and out of the hotel also works really well, so there’s no need to worry about bumping into anyone.

Phoebe and I both had a very pleasant experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and we will certainly be back for an al fresco lunch in the near future! If you’re looking to dine out somewhere that’s spacious, offers a faultless service, delicious food and reasonably priced – Doubletree by Hilton is the place to be!

For more information about DoubleTree by Hilton or to book a table, click here!