RUBY STELLA HOTEL LONDON BY IHG, London

The hotel sits in a calm, safe neighbourhood just off the main roads, making it easy to reach on foot. St Paul's Cathedral is a 19-minute walk away, and the British Museum is 1 km from the property. King's Cross Station is a 19-minute walk, while London City Airport is 13 km distant. The surrounding streets offer a variety of restaurants and bars - The Coach, Tohbang, Drunken Butler, and Ngon Ngon are all within a 5-minute walk. For getting around, a bus stop is right outside, and the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon provides direct connections to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

The smaller 'Nest' and 'Lovely' rooms are very compact - many sleepers found them too tight for two people or large suitcases. A few rooms are windowless, which can make the air feel stale and the ventilation noisy. The bathroom layout often uses a glass partition with a curtain rather than a full door, and the sink sits in the main room rather than the toilet area, which some find inconvenient. Road-facing rooms may pick up noise from early-morning cleaning staff in the corridors. All rooms include air conditioning, soundproof walls, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safe, parquet floors, heating, free toiletries, and a hairdryer. Hypoallergenic options are available. Tea and coffee making is located in a shared corridor galley, not inside the room.

Breakfast costs £20 per person and offers a high-quality cold spread - meats, cheeses, breads, yoghurts, cereal, and fresh fruit. The coffee is made to order by a barista, a step above typical self-serve machines. There are no hot English breakfast items. The bar operates 24 hours, serving a variety of drinks plus a limited snack menu (pizza, small plates). Breakfast is served from a set time in the morning. Several restaurants are within a 3-minute walk if you prefer to eat out.

For relaxation, the ground-floor bar and lounge area offers a stylish, dark decor with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable seating. The sun terrace provides outdoor space when weather permits. Beyond the hotel, Clerkenwell Green, Spa Fields, and Exmouth Market are within a few minutes walk, offering options for a stroll or a meal.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Daily housekeeping is optional - you can decline it at check-in and receive a free drink voucher instead. There is a self-check-in kiosk at the bar area, though staff are available to assist. Express check-in/out is offered. Luggage storage is free. The lift can be slow during busy periods; stairs are available but not clearly signposted. Accessibility features include a wheelchair-accessible entrance, lifts, and accessible rooms. No pets are allowed. The hotel accepts all major credit cards.