I stayed in the same hotel as the England football team
IT’S good enough for Thomas Tuchel and Sarina Wiegman, and it’s every football fanatic’s dream stay.
Think signed England memorabilia on the walls, a private, outdoor heated cinema, and a training session to put any baller to the test with an experienced FA coach.
Earlier this month, I checked into the all-new ‘Stay Like The England Teams’ Suite – an immersive fan experience at Hilton at St George’s Park, the official training ground of the England Football Teams.
I stayed in the same room the England managers like to stay in when they’re preparing for the world’s biggest tournaments at St George’s Park, and it’s adequately named ‘Suite Caroline’ in partnership with Hilton as part of a partnership with The Football Association.
Ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, football super fans can feel what it’s like to really be Harry Kane.
With everything available, you get to live in the luxury of the likes of Alessia Russo for a night.
After having your bags taken to your room, and arriving at the self-same entrance the Lionesses use, you already feel like a superstar ready to give the social media intern a fist bump and grab a Lucozade for an extra energy boost.
You’ll need it present when you sign your contract and pose for a polaroid photo, commemorating the day you joined up with the squad for the first time.
Once you’re all signed on, it’s up to ‘Suite Caroline’, with a red carpet leading you into a real footballing paradise of a room.
Scan your room key and enter the hallway, lined with shirts of Harry Kane, Alex Scott and Ian Wright, signed of course, and from iconic moments in Three Lions history.
The luxe room spread beyond you features a sofa that transforms into a bed for extra guests, with an England coffee table, a mini-fridge stocked with refreshments, and a vast flat-screen TV – which I flicked straight onto the highlights of Tuchel’s latest flawless victory.
To your left is the bedroom, packed with more memorabilia, including a Harry Kane boot, an England Nike football, two England T-shirts, Two Hilton x England bath robes, an eye mask, and slippers—all yours to keep.
It’s a true credit to Hilton’s footballing experience though, that even this incredible bedroom wouldn’t be the main attraction to fans.
That of course, is the private, outdoor, heated cinema opposite your room – decked out with a choice of footie cult classics, from Bend it Like Beckham, to GOAL, to She’s The Man.
Don’t fancy a movie? Load up the PS5 and whack open FC26 to take on your rivals for the day overlooking the very pitches where Bellingham and co. rifle shots into the top corners in training.
As part of the stay, guests will enjoy player-inspired meals at the hotel (more on that later) and will have an exclusive opportunity to train like their favourite players, with a training session at the National Football Centre, led by experienced FA coaches.
So, as Sun Sport’s answer to Cole Palmer, I was escorted by buggy to Hilton’s St George’s Park pitch, changed into my boots, and got ready to put my skills to the test.
It’s safe to say the coach didn’t go easy on me, and as someone who has watched the world’s best train, he knew how to put me through my paces.
Gone were the days of a lap of the pitch, this was an intense, on-ball session that tested my passing, dribbling, first-touch, and of course, my shooting.
Exhausted, sweaty, and grateful to my coach for the day, I’d earned my shower, a bit of time to decompress and some recovery time.
I wasn’t sure, however, that I’d earned a shower THIS nice, in such a stunning bathroom.
Perfectly lit, with a range of soaps in smells and flavours that could only be concocted by a botanist, the rainfall shower kept me enclosed for way longer than planned.
I was helped by the fact that I was provided with a high-end Bluetooth speaker for a sing-along that was England international initiation worthy – Price Tag by Jessie J if you must know.
Refreshed and rejuvenated, in the best of spirits – dinner called for just that, the best of spirits – this time in the form of a glass of white wine.
Available is a myriad of food options, perfect whether you’re an aspiring pro player looking to load up on protein for recovery, or if you’re well past it and fancy the well-earned taste of local meats cooked to perfection.
I opted for a ‘powerhouse striker‘s’ choice, a grilled fillet of beef with roasted garlic mash and glazed baby vegetables with red wine jus – though it must be said the Captain’s Chicken Goujons on the Junior Kick Off almost tempted me in.
After heading back to my room to watch GOAL! in the outdoor cinema, I enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep in a huge, cosy bed and dreamt a little more of linking up with Cole Palmer to score the winner in the World Cup Final for England next summer.
The next morning bought the kind of recovery the England stars get to enjoy regularly, with use of the on-site gym, spa, and pool – used by a range of England teams when they stay on-site.
An 11am check-out meant it was time to return to my reality of being a sports journalist rather than being one of the stars I spend so long writing about, but I was glad to finally know how it must feel to be one of the most talented in the country at something.
The suite is the latest in Hilton’s ‘Stay Like’ specials, inviting guests to relax like their favourite stars in immersive suites.
The ‘Stay like a footballer’ experience is available on selected dates from November-January 2026 for £650 (for four).
Previous suites have included Stay Like Wicked at the New York Hilton Midtown, the Stay Like An Infinite Icon at the Beverly Hilton in LA, and the Stay Like McLaren Racing at The Trafalgar St James’ in London.
For more details on the suite, see: https://stories.hilton.com/emea/releases/stay-like-the-england-teams-in-the-ultimate-football-themed-hotel-suite
Talking of themed stays, Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot checked into the UK’s coolest hotel room – with racing simulators, a cocktail bar AND you can take the dressing gown home.
Plus, for more Hilton hotels, check out the swanky stay in London with free Peloton bikes in the bedrooms and a rooftop cocktail bar.
