Hilton London Metropole to introduce grab and go food concept

The 1,054-bedroom Hilton London Metropole is to become the first hotel in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of UK properties to launch the Herb N' Kitchen grab and go concept.

Intended to provide a deli-style selection of sandwiches, salads and other freshly-prepared dishes, the concept aims to tap into guests' demands for a more flexible food offer which they can take to their room, eat in the lobby or pick up on their way out of the hotel. It will operate from early in the morning to late at night.

The concept was first introduced into the 1,981-bedroom New York Hilton Midtown after room service was abandoned at the property. However, there are no plans to drop room service at the Metropole.

Speaking at the Hilton Worldwide EMEA Food & Beverage (F&B) Conference in Istanbul, Simon Lazarus, vice-president, F&B, EMEA, said that within 50 steps of the Metropole there are numerous outlets like Costa Coffee, Cafe Nero and Pret Aa Manger, which guests frequently use.

"Herb N' Kitchen will give them a similar style of food offer with more variety," he explained.

The concept is now in operation in three USA hotels and will soon be introduced to a further four properties across the country.

Lazarus said there is the opportunity to scale Herb N' Kitchen up or down according to the size of the hotel and could even be operated by reception staff in small properties.

Herb N' Kitchen at the Hilton London Metropole is the first to be launched outside the USA and expected to open in April or May.