TRAVELODGE EXCEL, London

The hotel is perfectly positioned for anyone attending events at the ExCeL centre, with the main entrance roughly 10 minutes on foot. The Royal Albert DLR station is directly outside, connecting you to Canary Wharf in 10 minutes and central London in about 25 minutes. London City Airport is a 5-minute drive or a single DLR stop away, making this a logical choice for early flights. For car travel, the A13 and A1020 are nearby, and parking is available on-site for approximately £12 per 24 hours. The immediate area is predominantly a business district, so dining options within walking distance are limited; plan to travel to nearby docks or use the hotel restaurant. The river and surrounding docklands offer pleasant walking routes for a short stroll.

Standard rooms are reasonably spacious for a budget hotel, with a large, comfortable bed, a desk, and a chair. Most rooms include a coffee machine, a kettle with tea and coffee, and USB charging points by the bedside. Windows are floor-to-ceiling but can only open a small crack for safety reasons, which combined with the lack of air conditioning makes the rooms very hot and stuffy, especially from late spring to early autumn. A small desktop fan is provided, but it is often insufficient to cool the room effectively. Noise can be an issue from aircraft approaching London City Airport, nearby traffic, and thin interior walls. The hotel has some accessible rooms with wet rooms and more space. Bathrooms are compact but functional, though the shower can lack pressure, and some rooms lack a bath mat. Storage is limited to a few hangers with no drawers or shelves, so plan to live out of your suitcase. A hairdryer is available on request from reception.

Breakfast is a continental and cooked buffet (full English items, cereals, yogurt, toast, pastries, and fruit) priced around £10-£12.50 per person, with children eating free when accompanied by a paying adult. The cooked items are typical budget-chain quality; gluten-free and vegan options are limited but available. The on-site bar and restaurant is open 24 hours, serving main meals such as burgers, curries, pizzas, and salads. The pizza, especially the hot honey variety, is frequently praised. A daily happy hour offers value on drinks (e.g., 2 for 1 or reduced prices on selected items). The kitchen stays open late, so you can order food after returning from an evening event. For those who want a wider selection, several restaurants are within a 5-10 minute walk, including a highly recommended Chinese restaurant directly opposite. The bar area is air-conditioned, offering a comfortable escape from the warm rooms.

This budget hotel does not have any wellness facilities such as a pool, spa, sauna, or fitness centre. For leisure, the main attractions are the immediate surroundings: you can take a short walk along the Royal Victoria Dock to enjoy the water views, watch planes landing at London City Airport, or walk across the Emirates Air Line cable car for a different perspective of the city. The ExCeL centre itself often hosts large events and exhibitions. If you need a gym, you will have to look for a facility in the nearby Canary Wharf area about 10 minutes away by DLR.

The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk with staff who are consistently described as friendly and helpful. There is a lift serving all floors, and wheelchair access is available throughout the public areas, though it is worth confirming the accessibility of specific room types when booking. Wi-Fi is free for the first 30 minutes only; after that, a paid connection is required for the duration of your stay. Parking is available on site at a daily rate (around £12). There is no luggage storage facility before check-in or after check-out, which is a notable limitation if you have a late flight or want to explore before departure. The hotel has a laundry service, but this must be requested and is not self-service. Housekeeping is not provided for stays under five nights unless you ask at reception. It is generally a clean, functional, budget-focused property where the staff often compensate for the lack of amenities with their positive attitude.