So, on the back of an exciting weekend at Silverstone, I decided I wanted to try out one of the watch parties at the Hilton on their rooftop. I thought this would be a really cool experience and a chance to see how the other half relax and stay on race day.
This experience cost £45 and included food and a complimentary drink on arrival. The event started at 12:30, food was served at 1pm, and lights out and away we go at 2pm. The setup featured a large TV screen surrounded by sofas, chairs, and tables, making it easy for everyone to see.
We arrived early at 12:00 AM and decided to take a wander through the Megastore, which was much easier to navigate than it is on race day. We ended up making multiple trips back, as sitting on the terrace turned out to be colder than we had expected. I bought a fleece blanket for £25 which is now officially my new racing blanket.
Once we were settled, we ordered drinks from the bar. However, we weren’t informed that a Belgian beer was included as our complimentary drink, so we had to go back later to collect it
We managed to get a small table with bar stools near the front, just behind the sofas. It turned out to be a great spot, giving us a clear view of the big screen while also keeping us sheltered under the canopy. The atmosphere was relaxed, and even though it was a bit chilly, we felt comfortable. The outdoor heaters were positioned further back towards the bar, so they didn’t reach our area very well. That made the fleece blanket an even better purchase — it definitely came in handy and made the evening much more enjoyable.
Food was served at 1 PM in a self-service style. I’ll be honest, given the hotel we were at and the price we paid for the event, the food was quite underwhelming. As a vegetarian, my options were limited to a veggie stew, some mashed potatoes with vegetables, and a creamy courgette dish. There was also a selection of waffles, but by the time I got to them, most had already gone along with the fruit and sauces that were meant to go with them. The food overall was quite watery, not very hot, and didn’t feel suited to the setting.
It also wasn’t the easiest to eat, especially with the small table size or if you ended up having to balance your plate on your lap. In my opinion, a finger food style buffet with options that could be eaten easily with a small fork or by hand would have been far more appropriate for the layout and atmosphere of the event.
Staff quickly and efficiently cleared away plates and empty glasses throughout the event. One thing I really have to compliment is the attitude and attentiveness of the staff. Every single team member we interacted with was lovely and polite, even as the event ran over time. Their professionalism and friendliness stood out, and I honestly can't praise them enough.
Of course, Spa being Spa, there was a long — and arguably typical — delay at the start of the Grand Prix, so the race began later than planned. That said, the atmosphere helped a lot. It didn’t feel like it dragged, as everyone seemed to be in good spirits and enjoying themselves. The people around us were all very pleasant. One gentleman even shook my dad’s hand at the bar simply because he was wearing a Williams shirt — a rare sight in the wild, which made it a nice little moment.
When the race got under way, we had no obstruction in view, which is often an issue in the stands due to people standing up and moving around. The race itself was pretty uneventful, but that’s not something the Hilton can control. After it ended, we took a walk around the rest of the terrace and were able to look out toward the track, where guests were driving McLarens and Ferraris. It was a nice extra detail to take in before leaving.
I think overall it was a different way to take in a race, surrounded by likeminded people in a unique setting. However, given the price and the letdown of the food, I don’t think I’ll be rushing back for another watch party this year. That said, I can now tick it off my F1 bucket list.
Have you attended a watch party at the Hilton Rooftop? What were your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
Sincerely,
Catherine
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