Hilton Ageas Bowl Southampton

[Blue and Green]

We are in Southampton just one night before our cruise. A couple years ago we stayed at the Premier Inn by the West Quay Mall but this summer, since we have quite a few Hilton Points to use up, thought we would try the Hilton Ageas Bowl. I know it is some distance from the cruise ships, but we don't mind taking a taxi in the morning. However,  I'm wondering if there are shops and/or restaurants closer to the Hilton for the evening before the cruise, or if taking a cab to the Mall or Waterfront is our best bet? Or is this a bad idea...and should we re-think staying closer to the waterfront? We will only be in Southampton from late Friday afternoon until we board on Saturday. Staying in a quieter spot is somewhat appealing to me. 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts you might have to add.

[John Bull]

It's right on the city boundary, in a quiet spot if there's not an event that evening at the Ageas Bowl.

The Bowl  - used to be called the Rose Bowl (Hampshire's county flower) before the days of sponsorship  - is a cricket ground, but is also used for other events such as outdoor music concerts when - surprise surprise - it's not so quiet.

So the first thing to do is to check your date against 

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1EJFB_enGB611GB611&q=the+ageas+bowl+events&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX_Ij917zhAhUUsXEKHeW1CsQQ1QIoAHoECBQQAQ&biw=1498&bih=770

Some cricket matches are held in the evening, but they're not desperately noisy and don't finish late. If you're allocated one of the rooms which overlook the pitch you'll have the opportunity to try to figure out how the game works 

I went to a charity dinner at the hotel the first week it opened - it majors on functions.

Sorry, not my sort of place - quite "corporate" And expensive drinks.

 

It's in a semi-rural spot, some distance from pubs, restaurants & shops.

Nearest pub is a mile. Southampton Arms, a down-to-earth but pleasant locals' pub - we've lost many quiz nights there . Meals inexpensive but pretty ordinary.

Nearest shops are a 15-minute walk - in one direction a parade of local shops in West End, in the opposite direction a big area of large retail stores but geared to those in cars so a bit of a walk between them.

The only restaurants in walking distance are a Pizza Hut and a KFC at the beginning of the retail stores. Oh, and a McDonalds, used by the local boy-racers.

 

A number of country pubs and village restaurants within  a 2 - 5 mile radius but of course need a taxi.

Those that spring to mind ....:

Reggina's Italian restaurant in Botley is a favourite of ours. Very popular, best to book. 

Or the Old Mill restaurant in Botley's flour mill.

Or in other directions and also favourites of ours,  good food & sensible prices in the countryside at the Farmer's Home, Durley or in a lakeside location at the Fisher's Pond in Colden Common.

OK, not much closer than the city centre restaurants, but very different surroundings and more laid-back atmosphere 

 

Have you considered the Hilton Doubletree at Chilworth, on Southampton's northern boundary?

Not so corporate, equally quiet spot (wooded grounds), but equally-distant from shops, restaurants, pubs, city centre & cruise ships. I know they used to provide free cruise transfers. 

 

JB 

Edited April 7, 2019 by John Bull

[Morgans]

The hotel is lovely - our family are big fans of it. Reception will easily get you a taxi to/from the country pubs JB lists above and you would have experience of English pubs outside of the city if that is what you would like. Or eat in of course - the restaurant is very good.

We have also stayed at the Hilton Chilworth which is also very pleasant and comfortable. They sometimes have big coach parties here which can make it very busy however - the bar here is comfortable with lots of big, comfy chairs. Drinks can be pricey but that is standard for Hiltons.

Both hotels are very welcoming.

 

Edited April 7, 2019 by Morgans

[Blue and Green]

Thank you so much for the detailed information, JB and Morgans!  We did consider the Doubletree, but decided against it based on the reviews on Trip Advisor, which also mentioned the pre-cruise crowds.

 

I love the idea of dining in the countryside rather than the city and appreciate the recommendations. It's good to know reception will help arrange a taxi. Some of our favorite memories from the last trip to the UK involve the smaller, out -of-the-way places we visited, whether by design or by accident, and the lovely people we met as a result.

 

Looking at the Hilton website again, it seems the Ageas Bowl Hilton does offer a shuttle to the cruise port as well.

[Globaliser]

13 hours ago, John Bull said:

If you're allocated one of the rooms which overlook the pitch you'll have the opportunity to try to figure out how the game works 

 

Two aliens were visiting Earth to research the local customs.

 

They split up so that they could learn more in the time allowed.

 

When they met to share their knowledge, the first alien told of a religious ceremony it had seen.

 

"I went to a large green field shaped like a meteorite crater. Around the edges, several thousand worshippers gathered. Then two priests walked to the centre of the field to a rectangular area, and hammered six spears into the ground, three at each end. Then eleven more priests walked out, clad in white robes. Two high priests wielding clubs walked to the centre, and then one of the other priests started throwing a red orb at the ones with the clubs."

 

"Gee," replied the other alien, "what happened next?"

 

"It began to rain."