Accommodation
Hilton London Metropole
Opposite Edgware Road tube station, the venue/hotel is less than a mile from Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, and Paddington Station with express trains to Heathrow Airport LHR. With event space for up to 3,000 guests, the conference hotel is one of the largest in Europe. The hotel offers restaurants and bars, room service, free WiFi, and a fitness center.
All conference housing must be reserved through the hotel links that are found on the conference website. Please delete any email that does not come from conference organizers related to hotel housing. Contact
organizer@seg2023.org for specific questions.
For information on the venue and floorplan, visit the venue page.
Reserve Your Room - Two Simple Steps!
SEG has secured rooms for conference attendees at special rates. Please book your hotel accommodation by July 26, 2023, to secure the group rate.
- Register for the conference
- Book your hotel room using the links below to get the best rates
You may also manage your booking by changing your dates or cancelling via this portal. Please note, a credit card is needed to guarantee your stay. The group rate is available 3 days prior/post the conference dates, based on availability.
You will receive a reservation acknowledgement number from Hilton upon completion of your booking.
Reserve Your Room
You may also review additional hotels in the area, including some less-expensive options.
Hotel Location
225 Edgware Road
London, W2 1JU
United Kingdom
+44 20 7402 4141 | Website
Travel
Transportation
Heathrow
Underground: From Heathrow airport, take the Piccadilly Line (Blue) until Piccadilly Circus station and then change to the Bakerloo Line (Brown) to Edgware road station. The hotel is about a 3-minute walk from the station once you step out and turn left. A one-way trip will cost approximately £6.00 per person.
Heathrow Express: This train runs nonstop between Heathrow airport and Paddington station. Once you reach Paddington, the hotel is about a 10-minute walk. Alternatively you may take a taxi that will take approximately 6-7 minutes, costing around £25 per person.
Alternatively, the hotel can arrange to pick you up at the airport. The cost of a car starts at £100 for a Saloon car that can accommodate 2 people + 2 bags. The final cost depends upon the number of passengers and luggage.
Gatwick
Train: From the airport, take the Gatwick Express Train to Victoria Station. From the same station, change to the underground train and take the Circle Line (Yellow) till Edgware road. We are then a 3 minute walk away from the hotel.
Car: The hotel can arrange to pick you up at the airport. The size and cost of the vehicle will be dependent on the number of people and number of bags.
The cost of a car starts at £140 for a car that can accommodate 3 people + 2 suitcases. The final cost depends upon the number of passengers and luggage.
Luton
The cost of a car starts at £140 for a car that can accommodate 3 people + 2 suitcases. The final cost depends upon the number of passengers and luggage.
Visa requirements for United Kingdom (UK)
The current processing time for a visa application is on average 7 weeks, therefore please ensure you check and apply for your visa as soon as possible to avoid delays.
To determine if you need a visa, visit www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
How long will my application take?
The aim is to process visit applications within 15 working days from submitting biometrics, but is recommend that applications are made as early as possible allowing at least four weeks. In many locations, for an additional fee, you may be able to use the Priority and Super Priority visa service.
Can I do anything in advance to make the application process quicker?
Yes. When an application is started you will be asked to supply an email address and create a password. You will then be emailed a link to return to the application at a later point. This means the form can be started more than three months before the planned date of travel.
Are there any other ways to make my journey easier?
Nationals of some countries may be able to clear immigration control faster through the Registered Traveller Service. To be eligible you must have a visa or have visited the UK 4 times or more in the last 24 months. For further information about the Registered Traveller Service, please visit www.gov.uk/registered-traveller.
Reminder: National ID cards are no longer accepted as a valid travel document to enter the UK, therefore a passport that is valid for the duration of your stay will be required. If you are a national who does not require a visa to visit the UK, you do not need to apply for a visit visa to participate in UK hosted events if what you are coming to do is permitted under the visitor route (learn more. You can apply for entry on arrival in the UK.
As a standard visitor you may attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and interviews. The full list of visitor activities can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-visitor-permitted-activities.
Full instructions on what you need to do before, during, and after applying for a visa, and what to do once you enter the UK, can be found at www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/what-you-need-to-do.
Business-Related Events and Conferences in the UK - Visa Requirements
UK visas and immigration has circulated a guidance document on visa requirements for those attending business events and conferences in the UK.
Who needs a visa?
Anyone from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland will not need a visa. Nationals of certain other "non-visa" countries such as the USA, Australia, and Brazil can request a visa on arrival in the UK. All other nationalities must apply before travelling. If you are not sure, check www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
What type of visa do I need?
It depends how long you will be staying and what you will be doing while in the UK. If your are just coming to attend the SEG 2023 Conference, it is likely you need a Standard Visitor Visa (Business route).
NOTE: The full guidance does not specify the business route, but that is the correct route to take. A normal route Standard Visitor Visa (i.e., a tourist visa) should not be used. General business activities may include:
- Attending meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews
- Giving a one-off or short series of talks and speeches (at non-commercial events which will not make a profit for the organizer)
- Negotiating and signing deals and contracts
- Attending trade fairs for promotional work only, provided the visitor is not directly selling
- Carrying out site visits and inspections
- Being briefed on requirements of a UK based customer, provided work for the customer is done outside the UK
If you are receiving payment for any work, you might need a Permitted Paid Engagement visa. If you are not sure, check www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
What do I need to do?
After making sure you know what visa to apply for, apply online then book and attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), taking your passport, printed application form, and any other supporting documents (including your invitation letter), to give their biometric details (photo and fingerprints).
How long does it take?
The guidance suggests 15 working days from receipt of all information (including biometric data) to decision. However, they recommend invitation letters should be sent at least 8 weeks before an event to be sure. Visa applications can be made up to 3 months in advance of the planned date of travel.
What information do I need to include in the invitation letter?
There is guidance and an example letter on pages 6 and 7 of the documents, but essentially:
- Full name, as it appears in the passport
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Details, dates, and location of the event
- Dates of arrival in, and departure from, the UK
- Details of costs that will be covered by the host e.g.
- Flights, accommodation, transportation etc.
- Contact details in case UKVI staff need to verify the authenticity of the letter.