Ibis London Excel Docklands

A fun, funky atmosphere is spread throughout Ibis London Excel Docklands thanks to energetic design, vibrant colors, and ultra-modern furniture. The lobby bounces between a pop-art and industrial look, with a trendy concrete front desk, hanging metal lamps, and slabs of wood as tables. Hectic, graffiti-style writing and art on the walls and ceiling add another level of hipness. The restaurant has a similar upbeat vibe and look -- the bar is covered in chalkboard-type art, tables and chairs are a mix of colors, and triangular pendant lights hang over the wooden counter. Given the hotel's proximity to London City Airport and the Excel Exhibition and Convention Center, the hotel draws large numbers of business travelers and conference-goers, but tourists, mostly couples, find their way here too.

Overlooking Royal Victoria Dock, the hotel is about a 10-minute drive to London City Airport and a two-minute walk to Excel Exhibition Center. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Thames River and a six-minute walk to the Emirate Air Line Royal Docks cable car, which carries passengers across the Thames. The Royal Victoria train station is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and there are a few restaurants within walking distance. Canary Wharf Westfield, Westfield Stratford Shopping Center, Olympic Park, and historic Greenwich are all about a 20-minute drive away. Heathrow Airport is about a 70-minute drive away, and Gatwick Airport is about an hour's drive. This is not the most convenient location for tourists, as it's a 25- to 35-minute trip to London's major attractions.

With red-and-brown carpeting, walls with chalkboard-style drawings, and tan and red woolly textured headboards, the guest rooms are modern and cozy, and -- like the rest of the hotel -- a bit quirky. The streamlined furniture is compact and simple, but hanging bedside lamps give a bit of a posh vibe. The most arresting design element is the line-drawing mural of a faux bookshelf packed with objects. All rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers, but lack minibars or mini-fridges. Some rooms have pullout sofas. Pod-like bathrooms are cramped (everything seems within arms' reach, like an airplane's restroom), with attractive green sinks and mirror lights that pop against the white tiles. Glass shower stalls are stocked with body wash in dispensers, and hairdryers are provided. Rooms pick up noise from the planes flying overhead from nearby London City Airport, and the ventilation system can be noisy. Guests have also complained about the housekeeping, and foul drainage smells in the rooms and bathrooms.

The main feature at Ibis London Excel Docklands is Fogg’s, which serves a continental breakfast or a full buffet of eggs, bacon, pork sausage, mushrooms, and baked beans (neither breakfast option is included in the room rate). The bar opens for lunch, and the restaurant serves a full menu of international fare at dinner. Room service is limited. There's a public computer in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Parking is available for a fee.