1 Eastern Gateway, London, United Kingdom | (732) 333-4551
Only hotel connected to the ExCeL conference center
Close to London City Airport and public transit
Stylish rooms and colorful, playful decor throughout
Amenities include kettles, AC, and free bottled water, coffee, and tea
Bathrooms stocked with Bliss bath products
On-site restaurant, bar, and 24-hour self-serve commissary
Serene pool in a light-filled space with sauna and steam room
Bright and airy 24-hour fitness center with fun, striped carpeting
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Docklands location is far from central London and tourist sights
Rooms have small windows and lack minibars
Some guests note poor in-room lighting
No spa or concierge
Fee for breakfast and on-site parking
The 252-room Aloft London Excel is located on Royal Victoria Dock in the city's Docklands area. The four-pearl property has candy-colored, midcentury space-age decor and a punchy atmosphere. It's the only hotel connected to the ExCeL conference center and attracts mainly business travelers. Rooms are done in serene shades of cool blue and gray, and have flat-screen TVs, Bliss bath products, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi and bottled water. Fees are attached to on-site parking and breakfast, and there's no spa or concierge but the hotel has a solid crop of amenities; there's a 24-hour gym and a commissary open round-the-clock; a pool; and an on-site restaurant and bar. Nearby Crowne Plaza London is similar in feel but may be a better option for leisure travelers as it's closer to central London.
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Scene
Bright and colorful decor with midcentury space-age appeal and a fun, playful atmosphere
The Aloft London Excel is only eight stories high but towers over the flat landscape of Royal Victoria Dock. It resembles a giant curl of shiny ribbon with one side a gleaming, jewel-tone mosaic and the other a subdued, steely gray. The front parking lot has London's elevated Dockland Light Rail ringing its border, and there's a wide drive-up to the lobby entrance. Just through the doors, a blonde wood and brushed chrome spiral staircase with a glossy black standup piano at its base makes a striking first impression. The hotel draws business travelers and its public spaces feel like a swanky airport terminal. Across from the front desk there's a 24-hour self-serve commissary that recollects midcentury modern design with everything from wrapped sandwiches and snacks to espresso and candy. A glass panoramic wall extends far beyond the reception area and massive stone-like pillars define sections of the bright, space-aged-inspired lobby lounge. Furnishings are playful: high-back tufted benches and footstools in magenta and grape, a pool table with a bright pink baize, and more than a dozen mini floor lamps in a rainbow of colors. The lobby bar is sleek, modern, and slightly retro, with industrial metal high-back chairs and a curvy, polished chrome tap that's fashioned after a 1950s soda fountain. In addition to those traveling for work, the Aloft London Excel attracts families with kids in-tow looking for accommodations in a fun, stylish setting.
Location
Convenient for ExCeL conference center attendees and close to public transit; far from Central London
For those attending events at the ExCeL conference center, Aloft London Excel couldn't be more convenient as it's the only hotel connected to the facility. The hotel's Docklands location is also ideal for access to London City Airport. While it's a short walk to public transit on London's Docklands Light Rail (DLR) -- which connects to the tube -- the hotel is far from sights and the hubbub of the city.- Seven-minute walk to Prince Regent Docklands Light Rail station
Rooms
Contemporary, serene decor and Bliss bath products but poor lighting, small bathrooms, and no minibars
Rooms at Aloft London Excel have a serene, aquatic-inspired palette. Cool shades of blue and gray are mixed with stark white and furniture is done in honey-colored, glossy grained wood. Carpeting has an intricate geometric pattern of interlocking squares in sky blue, cerulean, and teal, that resembles lapping water from afar. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi, bottled water, coffee, and tea -- but there are no minibars. Desks with ergonomic chairs make for comfortable workspaces and wide, royal blue benches are useful for lounging or laying out clothes. Dressing areas have sizable wardrobes, vessel sinks, and Bliss bath products set on long counters, and large vanities and full-length mirrors. Bathrooms are all white with charcoal gray floors and have stall showers with soap and shampoo dispensers. Upgrading to a suite affords separate living areas with banquette sofas, coffee tables, round dining tables with four Bertoia-style chairs, and views of the waterfront or Canary Wharf. Added creature comforts include Nespresso machines, additional flat-screen TVs, slightly larger bathrooms with second sinks, and a few extra Bliss products.
Features
Pool and 24-hour gym, restaurant and snack bar -- but fees for breakfast and parking
The Aloft London Excel has a solid list of amenities to offset its isolated Docklands location, which lacks the conveniences of central London. There's a 24-hour self-serve commissary with gourmet eats to-go, games and a pool table, plenty of areas to lounge, free Wi-Fi, and a lobby computer station with a Mac, PC, and printer. The property has an attractive on-site restaurant, Docksider, done up in decor that gives a nod to midcentury modern. There's a full English breakfast buffet (fee) and standard American grill fare for lunch and dinner. Kids eat for free and can choose items from a special menu. The bar, W XYZ, serves up craft cocktails and has live music on the first three Thursday's of each month. Room service is also available.The large, bright fitness center -- with energetic, striped carpeting in turquoise, gray, and white, and rows of up-to-date treadmills, ellipticals, and more -- is open 24 hours. Another top-notch feature is the inviting pool set in a striking light-filled room that has a mirrored wall and high ceilings, with a row of loungers, a sauna, and a steam room off to one side. Kids get goody bags at check-in and pooches can partake in free treats or take a snooze on a plush dog bed, as the hotel is pet-friendly (with a 40-pound weight restriction). While there's a fee for parking, the hotel runs free shuttle busses every 15 minutes to Canary Wharf.
