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Ever wondered what the best value hotel in London is?
I’m writing this more as an ‘opening bid’ than a definitive answer (there are so many variables when it comes to calculating ‘value’), but I reckon I’ve got a serious contender to share: the Ibis London Excel Docklands!
Now, before you think my mind has melted into a puddle of ‘travel hacking’ mush, let me explain, because I think I’ve got a pretty compelling argument (alternatively, I may have genuinely lost the plot – either way, let me know in the comments!):
Is it any good?
Yes – but remember this is about ‘value’, not luxury. That said, for me to consider any hotel ‘good value’ it still has to hit some minimum standards, regardless of price: clean, safe, comfortable, well-maintained, decent service, good location/transport links, etc.
This particular Ibis delivers all of those (and more) easily.
Comfort:
The new Ibis brand standard is actually very solid, and the Excel Docklands is no exception. Rooms are a reasonable size, well designed, and ours had a nice view across the river.
The beds are very comfortable, and the cleanliness and maintenance of the rooms and public areas was good. Dare I say it, but the Lobby/bar/cafe area is actually relatively stylish too!
Service:
All the staff we interacted with were very friendly – and they were fantastic with my son, which goes a long way in winning me over.
Location:
The hotel is literally 2 minutes from the Emirates Cable Car (great fun and very convenient for the O2!) and next door to the Excel Centre. It is 1.5 Miles from City Airport and takes about 30 minutes to get into central London by DLR/tube.
So, tell me about the money…
Ah yes, well, it’s cheap – often REALLY cheap!
Standard rates start at about £50-£60, which is ok but not great.
The real trick is that thanks to Accor’s brilliant ‘Happy Mondays’ offers, you can often book for just £25. Remember that Happy Mondays now covers weekdays too!
Wait – this is London, Happy Mondays is £40 per night here, not £25?
For other London Ibis hotels that’s right, but the Ibis Excel Docklands prices at £25 – which is why I think it’s ‘the best value’, rather than just one of the best value hotels in London.
£25 for a comfortable, modern hotel in London (with good transport links to the rest of the city) is amazing!
Other Accor hotels that participate in Happy Mondays, like the Ibis Blackfriars and Ibis Kings Cross are great too, but are £40 (which obviously can still be worth the extra depending on where you want to be in London).
I’d also say there’s an argument for the Novotel Blackfriars (£60 when it’s on the Happy Mondays list), primarily because it’s got a pool.
Best value hotel in London using hotel points
InsideFlyer has mentioned the Hilton DoubleTree Greenwich before as being, perhaps, the best value use of hotel points in London these days, but Hilton has since got rid of the old ‘Points and Money’ awards, which has damaged the value a bit. If you can get it for 20,000 Honors Points, that’s still a very good deal – but not as good as £32 + 8,000 Points which used to be available.
Bottom line
Is the Ibis Docklands Excel the best value hotel in London?
If you can book it for £25 (and you often can), then I’m really struggling to see what could beat it – though don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments if you’ve got some other contenders!
Whilst i would argue that the location at the excel docklands is pretty poor… everything else, from the hotel lobby to the rooms looks pretty awesome! And for £25… that is pretty unbelieveable in London…. even for £50-60, it could well hold the title!
Yeah, I suppose it depends where you need to be – sometimes it could be a great location. Personally, I usually stay more central (my mental map of London basically runs from the IC Park Lane to the CP City!), but getting anywhere that isn’t in the immediate vicinity of the hotel still usually takes 15-30 minutes in reality, so the time thing wouldn’t be too bad. For £25, I reckon I’ll be giving it a try next time I’m down!
After spending many a night in London this March on a restricted business budget with stays at the new Moxy hotel, Ibis Wembley, Holiday Express nr Golders Green, Holiday Inn Wembley Novotel Wembley, Paddington and Blackfriars. I think for value the Novotel at Paddington wins hands down. Nice decent room, large TV, good bathroom facilities and a comfy bed. Stylish bar and restaurant area and the hotel has a pool. Minutes away from Paddington station and tube with restaurants and bars close by. For £60 on a Monday night in central London based on using happy Mondays in a four star hotel in find it hard to beat.
Great insight Martin – thanks for sharing. Is the Paddington Novotel better than the Blackfriars one?
Personally I found Paddington to be better than Blackfriars. Even though the Blackfriars hotel is that bit newer with nice rooms and pool and close to the tube I found the service from the staff let it down. In particular the bar staff took forever to serve you. Where as at Paddington I could not fault the service both on check in and at the bar. I ended up staying here on at least three occasions. Breakfast was also really good. The next time I’m in London with the family we will be staying here. Quick tip If you’re a gold member, after enquiring about the VIP treatment you get a complimentary mini bar. Never really been a dedicated accor member as i’ve always used Hilton or IHG previously but will definitely be using accor for future stays. Novotel Wembley was also very good.
On many of my trips to London, I find myself at the Aloft Excel. (travel hacking my SPG Best Rate Guarantees as usual…)
The DLR to Jubilee line connection is excellent, and you are central in a heartbeat. Certainly much better IMO than staying near Wembley or paying a premium for “central London” when in fact London is a huge city and you can’t possibly be walking distance to everything anyhow…
So a £25 room night is certainly worth checking out, since I could “hotel hop” between the Aloft and the Ibis.
Good to know – is it easy to find a better rate to BRG the Aloft Excel?
Relatively simple. Between Galahotels.com and a broader search via kayak.co.uk I can usually find something. Of course, rates are only reasonable when there’s nothing on at the Excel centre…
Anyone know whether the new Canary wharf Novotel will be a £60 or £40 night rate if sold through Happy Mondays deal?
Thanks in advance
Hi,
I’m not certain, but imagine it will be £60 – £40 would be amazing though!
Great article, and some very helpful responses too. I am in Tasmania, and shall come to london again soon and I am amazed at how cheap some of these hotels are considering their location. Same prices as Hobart, if not a lot cheaper in some cases, I know where I’d rather stay! Thanks for the informative piece.