Holiday Inn London – Whitechapel

The Holiday Inn London - Whitechapel, is housed in a modern glass-and-cement building with an understated, contemporary feel. It tends to draw more business travelers than tourists, though there is a mix. The open floor plan in the lobby gives the space a friendly, communal vibe, while the decor toes the line between modern and corporate.

The least attractive quality of the Holiday Inn London - Whitechapel is its location in a somewhat seedy part of town. The hotel is only about a five-minute walk to Shadewell Station, where there's both Overground commuter train and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) service. Both provide reasonable options for getting in and around London, but the City and the Tower of London will still be a 20-minute ride, and popular attractions such as Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace will take over a half hour. There are few dining options in the area, and it's generally run-down, which may make some visitors feel unsafe, particularly at night.

The Holiday Inn offers modern and surprisingly large Twin, Double, and Executive Level Rooms, plus Suites, and accessible rooms can be requested. Most feature simple, modern furnishings and cool color palettes. Rooms have support columns with integrated minibars -- a thoughtful, contemporary touch that makes the spaces feel simple and uncluttered. The curving desks and grass-green reading chairs add a sense of fun. Executive Level Rooms are more spacious and have seating areas included, but the tone is darker, supplanting the natural wood color dominant in the other rooms for a black furnishings. Bathrooms are compact, but warmly designed, with modern, rectangular sinks and beige tile backsplashes.

The restaurant offers convenient dining, especially considering there are few alternative options in the area. The hotel also has small fitness center in its basement and while its yellow fluorescent lighting makes it the least engaging part of the hotel, it provides free weights and a few cardio machines. Catering to business travelers, the hotel has a plenty of meeting space which can accommodate groups ranging from 15 to 125 people and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.