1 Priddy's Yard, Croydon, United Kingdom | (251) 219-4428
Predictable chain hotel, a 30-minute drive from Gatwick Airport
Near trains with 20-minute journeys to Victoria Station and London Bridge
Next to shopping center with several stores and dining options
Good-sized, clean rooms with AC, desks, and flat-screen TVs
Free buffet breakfast includes sausage, eggs, cereal, and yogury
All-day bar and snacks for sale in the lobby
Eight meeting rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Far from London proper
Rooms lack mini-fridges and safes
Some noise complaints
No on-site parking and nearby mall parking requires fee
No full restaurant or wellness facilities
The mid-range Holiday Inn Express London Croydon is a low-frills chain hotel, located an hour's drive south of central London and next to a shopping center. Its 156 basic rooms reflect the low rates, but they're spacious and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, kettles, and desks. Nearby train stations offer direct transport to Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport, and there are dozens of restaurants and shops nearby. All rates include a breakfast of cooked and continental options and free Wi-Fi. A bar, for-sale snacks in the lobby, and meeting rooms round out the limited amenities. Area parking requires a fee. Budget-conscious travelers wanting to be in this area may prefer the more modern and cheerful Ibis Styles London Croydon, which typically has lower rates.
Scene
Predictable chain hotel with simple, often dated furnishings
Tucked between office blocks and small shops south of London, this Holiday Inn Express provides an affordable, predictable option for business or leisure travelers to Croydon. Its 10 floors are done in a simple, mostly contemporary design, primarily utilizing neutral tones, a mix of striped carpet and beige tile floors, and generic wood furnishings. There's little that stands out here, but all the basics are provided and everything is clean. It's mostly quiet on-site, though some guests have complained of some noise from other guests and street noise.
Location
Far from Central London, but in a lively area with good transport links
The hotel is located in Croydon, an hour's drive south of central London. It's not the most convenient for sightseeing in London, but nearby trains to both Victoria Station and London Bridge take under 35 minutes. It's under a 10-minute walk to the train stations. The hotel is just a few minutes' walk from a shopping center with a variety of stores and dining options, plus there are two supermarkets by the hotel. A train runs direct to Gatwick Airport in about 40 minutes, or it's a 30-minute drive. Heathrow Airport, meanwhile, is about an hour by car and train.
Rooms
Generic, dated rooms with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning
Rooms are spacious and clean, though outfitted in simple and largely dated decor. Basic honey-tone wood furnishings with silver accents, striped blue carpet, striped red curtains, and chain artwork decorates each space. Although lacking mini-fridges and safes, most other necessities are covered, including air-conditioning, desks alongside chairs, flat-screen TVs with a wide range of Freeview channels, and kettles for tea- and coffee-making. Open wardrobes have shelves and hanging space. Compact white-tiled bathrooms have small showers, hairdryers, and basic wall-dispensed soaps. Connecting rooms with sofa beds or cribs are suitable for families or groups.
Features
Free breakfast, bar, and meeting rooms
Limited features are consistent with the Holiday Inn Express brand. All rates include breakfast spreads of scrambled eggs, sausages, and baked beans alongside cereals, toast and pastries with jams, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Tea, coffee, and juice are also provided. The bar is open all day, but it's largely quiet and seldom frequented. There's no restaurant on-site, but delivery from nearby eateries is available. Eight meeting rooms are available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. No on-site parking is provided, but parking is available for a fee at the nearby shopping mall.