Introduction – A Bucket List Stay for Formula 1 Fans
Ever since Drive to Survive rocketed Formula 1 into the mainstream, interest in the sport has soared—especially in our household. With two teenage daughters who are absolute F1 fanatics (loyally split between McLaren and Mercedes), a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone was high on our travel bucket list.
Located trackside at the iconic Silverstone Circuit—home of British motorsport—this is no ordinary Hilton hotel. Offering panoramic views of one of the world’s most famous racetracks, this is a hotel that fully immerses you in the motorsport experience. For F1 fans, it’s a dream come true.
This is our review of the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone.
First Impressions
From the outside it looks no different than most other modern Hilton hotels across the country, but from the moment you step inside, it’s clear that this isn’t your standard Hilton hotel. Half of the ground floor is taken up by a huge “superstore” filled with F1 and McLaren and Mercedes merchandise—from hoodies and gilets to caps and mugs. My daughters were immediately drawn in.
Inside the main lobby, a towering bronze and glass atrium greets you, with a racing car proudly parked in front of the check-in desk. It’s both dramatic and impressive, and sets the tone for what is ahead of a stay here.
There are so many hidden design features to spot across the hotel, from F1 artwork on the walls to the lights suspended from the double height atrium designed to replicate a racing car steering wheel.
There were lots of stylish communal spaces to relax in, with a bar and restaurant on the mezzanine level and a self service shop and Starbucks coffee shop behind the main reception area. There is also a fitness centre for guests and plenty of free on-site car parking.
We’ve previously stayed at other sporting Hilton destinations, including the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton (home of Hampshire Cricket) and Hilton St George’s Park, England Football’s official training base. Both were memorable, but for the girls in particular, the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone truly takes things to the next level.
Arrival and Check-In
We combined our visit with a stop at Bicester Village, which is around 40 minutes away and ideal for some pre-check-in retail therapy.
The hotel had several check-in desks including a separate priority check-in for Hilton Gold and Diamond members. We were welcomed back as Hilton Honors Gold members and went through an overview of the hotel amenities and my benefits.
Check-in was smooth and efficient, with friendly staff on hand to assist. We had booked two track facing rooms, a king standard room and a twin room for our daughters and set off to find our rooms on the third floor.
Our Rooms
The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone has 197 rooms, some of which offer a track view. Of these, 90 rooms face directly onto the circuit, and 66 rooms come with balconies for the best views possible—right over the iconic Hamilton straight, finish line and pit lane.
We booked two rooms using our Hilton points, a king room with a glass-fronted balcony, and a twin room both overlooking the track. Rooms were clean, spacious and well appointed and was the perfect setup for our family—our girls loved the extra space, and having two separate rooms meant everyone had room to relax.
The interior of the rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone have been carefully designed to reflect the unique location of the hotel. There was racing-themed artwork on the walls, celebrating Silverstone’s legendary status, paired with metal mesh panels on the open wardrobe and stitched upholstery on the headboard that nod to motorsport engineering and craftsmanship. It’s tastefully done, giving the room a modern and contemporary feel.
Open the ultra-glazed balcony doors, and you’re practically on the track, and opening these for the first time was an incredible experience of seeing the track for the first time. We loved sitting here and taking in the views. While there wasn’t a race during our stay, just imagining the roar of engines below added to the excitement.
The bathrooms had a modern twist, similar to what we have experienced at some hotels on the continent which will not be to everyone’s taste. It’s an open plan design with the sink in the room with the toilet and large walk in shower in two glass fronted cubicles.
Because of the incredible location of these balcony track facing rooms, we were told that during major race events like the British F1 Grand Prix these becomes corporate hospitality boxes, which explains some of the more neutral and business-like design choices used in the rooms.
Our rooms had all the mod-cons you would expect from a new Hilton property – large flat screen TV, air conditioning, good wifi and plenty of electrical sockets with USB to charge any devices. There is also a drinks fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. After a long day of travel and excitement, our beds were incredibly comfortable. It was a surreal feeling to be in bed after a good nights sleep and looking out over this famous racetrack from our bed.
Dining
After a long day travelling and shopping, we didn’t want to venture out again in the car looking for restaurants for dinner. Thankfully, the hotel’s Box Bar & Kitchen was more than up to the task. The restaurant’s interior design was as impressive as the lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking directly over the home straight, the setting alone is a reason to dine here.
The menu is relaxed and family-friendly—burgers, pizzas, pasta dishes and steaks etc. We ordered the chicken club sandwich and chunky chips and a steak baguette with fries whilst the girls went for fish and chips. Our food arrived promptly and watching dusk fall over the track as we tucked into dinner was a treat in itself. We left after dinner to enjoy drinks and views from the rooftop terrace.
Breakfast the next morning followed the typical Hilton buffet format—with a good selection of hot and cold options including full English items, continental choices, fruit, pastries and cereals.
What I really liked about this Hilton breakfast was being able to enjoy a hot drink whilst sitting out on the terrace overlooking the race track.
Location
This is, without doubt, the best-located hotel for Silverstone events. The hotel is quite literally on the track. During major events like the British Grand Prix, MotoGP, or Classic Silverstone, this is the place to be.
Even on quieter weekends like ours, it’s still a really exciting place to visit. There was an F1 race happening in Monaco during our stay, and we watched it at the hotels bar before checking out the rooftop terrace, which offers elevated 360-degree views of the circuit.
There was a huge outdoor screen here and bar for guests who had tickets to watch the race here. The views of the racetrack from this vantage point are incredible, even without no cars on the track.
The ground floor is also home to the Silverstone Megastore, where you can browse and buy from an impressive selection of official circuit and F1-branded merchandise. It’s a must-visit for motorsport fans.
On the fourth floor is access to the wing, this was closed when we visited but I think during race events this walkbridge crosses over the circuit and connects the hotel with the main Silverstone building.
The hotel is also in a great location if you are planning in visiting the Silverstone Museum. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Hotel guests receive 50% off entry, and it turned out to be a brilliant family experience. I’m not a huge racing fan so I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much—but the museum was excellent – you can read our review here.
Exhibits included everything from a playable Scalextric version of Silverstone track, to simulators, design-your-own-car challenges, and live commentary booths. Even the history of Silverstone’s transformation from WWII airfield to racing legend is covered but the highlight was being able to walk on part of the iconic track.
Overall
If you’re an F1 fan—or travelling with one—Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone should be at the top of your hotel wishlist.
More than just a place to sleep, it’s a must do motorsport experience. The stunning trackside rooms, racing-inspired interiors, on-site F1 megastore, and unmatched circuit location make this one of the most unique Hilton properties in the UK.
Even if you’re not here for race day, the hotel still delivers excitement. From rooftop race screenings to in-room motorsport décor, from easy access to the Silverstone Museum to being able to open your balcony doors onto one of the world’s most legendary tracks—this hotel delivers unforgettable memories.
We’ve stayed in some incredible hotels as a family, but this one has made its way to the top of our list for unforgettable, themed UK stays. We’re already planning our return—next time, we hope to catch the roar of engines in person.
Ready to Book?
Rooms at Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone start from around £100 per night off-season, but prices climb significantly during major race weekends—especially the British Grand Prix, MotoGP, and other motorsport events. You can book direct via Hilton.com or check for offers via your Hilton Honors account
To make the most of your visit:
- Book well in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit during a race weekend
- Book a track-facing room with a balcony for the ultimate experience
- Head to the rooftop for drinks and incredible views of the circuit
- Visit the Silverstone Megastore on the ground floor for a huge choice of F1 merchandise
- Combine your trip with shopping at Bicester Village or a visit to Oxford
.