Ibis Styles London Walthamstow Hotel

The Ibis Styles London Leyton is spread between two buildings that face each other across a busy street in east London. This is a fairly no-frills property, which is a little underwhelming as maintenance issues aren't uncommon. After being handed keys and a remote control for the air-conditioner -- and then navigating with your baggage across a few lanes of traffic -- you just might have to trek back to the lobby to get a key that actually works.

There's also the issue of false advertising -- the "styles" in the hotel's name isn't exactly justified. The pleasant, shrub-framed brick exterior of the building has the vague look of a suburban middle school. That effect doesn't exactly lift upon stepping inside, either. Lime-green couches surround low plastic tables on furry red rugs, and beige faux-brick walls line the hallways. Families on a budget and couples stay here more than any other travelers, though the rare business traveler might sometimes be stationed here too. Still, despite fairly low rates, this is far from the center of London, and anyone hoping to sightsee or do business will rack up hefty commuter bills that may undercut any savings.

Ibis Styles lines both sides of a busy street in Leyton, on the east side of London. It’s bordered by car dealerships and a few office blocks, and a side street nearby leads to a residential area. The hotel is within a five-minute walk of Brooks Farm, which might be fun for the little ones. Luckily there’s a variety of dining options to choose from here: Heart and Soul is a three-minute walk away, and Bodrum Restaurant and Thainese are both about 10 minutes away on foot. The hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Walthamstow Central station on the Victoria Line (in zone three), meaning it can get expensive to reach central London this way. Unfortunately, a car will be handy at this hotel, as the shuttle costs extra and almost any sights require a drive to reach. The Olympic Stadium is a 15-minute drive, while the Boleyn Ground Stadium and the Barbican Arts Centre are both about a half-hour away. Heathrow International Airport will take 80 minutes to reach by tube or car, while Stansted Airport is a 40-minute drive. 

The 139 rooms here are conventional, but colorful, with the same lime-green accent walls as in the lobby, and white-and-maroon bedding. Some include graphic silhouette-style scenes of London's iconic destinations, but others have unappealing abstract art framed on the walls. Nothing really matches, which diminishes the hotel's pretense to "style." Furniture is cheap faux-wood, but is in relatively good shape, as are the various amenities on offer -- which include electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is available, but can be spotty. Additionally, some rooms have drop-tile ceilings that don't aren't in the best shape, and in fact look pretty downmarket. Rooms are otherwise outfitted with direct-dial phones and desks, which oddly come with hairdryers in some rooms (the bathroom might have been a better spot for these). 

Some top-floor rooms have low sloping roofs with exposed ceiling beams -- tall people and those worried about bumping their heads might want to request a lower floor. Note that noise from the street below might also be an issue for light sleepers. Bathrooms are small, bright, and clean, with gray accents and shower-tub combos. Counter space is a bit limited, but there are small shelves above the toilets for storing essentials. Families might be pleased with the free cribs that are made available to guests. 

Features are few and far between at this hotel. There's a bar and lounge with light fare, as well as a free buffet breakfast. Offerings are fairly standard, and include meat, eggs, bread, and coffee, along with a few other extras. Otherwise, there are free newspapers in the lobby and luggage storage for those who may need it. Parking is not free or convenient: there are only 18 parking spots and they’re given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. While Wi-Fi here is free, service is iffy and guests must sign in every 24 hours.