Ibis Styles London Croydon

The iron gate and parking lot in front of Ibis Styles London Croydon make it look a bit dreary. And two giant, white metal birdcages that house fountains with statues flanking the steps to the hotel entrance are a little awkward. But walking into the lobby is like opening a box of crayons. A series of petite pendants run above a galvanized reception desk with a base that resembles a green glow stick. It faces two faux wingback chairs in molded plastic and scattered lime footstools. The brightly lighted eatery offering free breakfast has azure-accented walls, one of which has a mural designed like a metro map featuring London's top sights. Clear acrylic chairs that bring to mind orange and sour apple candy are pulled up to tables topped with stripes. Multiple flat-screen TVs hang near the paneled ceiling, and there's a small computer workstation with a PC. The bar's royal blue stools pop against the high-gloss, white bar. Along the opposite wall, there are a couple of low tables and groovy chairs done in very-70s beige velvet. In the evening, the bar serves up a few entrees like burgers and curries. There's also a mini play area for kids with three identical images of Big Ben in blue, red, and orange mounted with real clock faces. Ibis Styles London Croydon is an attractive choice for business travelers and families looking for value. 

The Ibis Styles London is located in Croydon, about 10 miles south of the city. The hotel is a five-minute drive from Thornton Heath station where you can pick up a commuter train on the Brighton line and get to Victoria Station in roughly 25 minutes. From there via tube it's an additional eight minutes to Buckingham Palace; 11 minutes to London Eye; 13 minutes to Harrods; 16 minutes to the British Museum; and 21 minutes to Tower of London. But Croydon is an increasingly hip destination in its own right with restaurants, markets, and shops. The Ibis is a 50-minute car ride to Heathrow Airport and a 30-minute drive to Gatwick Airport (more with traffic). 

The lobby's retro, modish design carries over to Ibis Styles London Croydon's sleek rooms. They're compact and podlike with punches of color such as tangerine orange, cherry red, and lime green on drapes, cube ottomans, and the three wide, padded vertical stripes serving as headboards. Furnishings -- including work surfaces at the foot of beds -- walls, and linens are basic white, and carpeting is off-black. Small pull-up stands to hold a book or laptop while lying in bed is a nice addition. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and bottled water, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, full-length mirrors, and adjustable air-conditioning. Guests with lots of clothes may be challenged to find a place for them, as there are no closets, wardrobes, or drawers. There's a series of shallow wall shelves to tuck away personal items, with a built-in rod holding a handful of hangers. Bathrooms are snug, also with a single accent color, and have stall showers but don't come stocked with any bath products -- there's only a soap dispenser next to mirrors. Rooms on the higher end are upgraded with bathtubs and pedestal sinks.

Perks at Ibis Styles London are solid for a hotel of its category and include several freebies -- like Wi-Fi throughout and breakfast with cold items such as assorted mini pastries, cereal, and fruit. There's also coffee, tea, and bottled water on offer for free. The hotel lobby has a breakfast eatery and bar with beer on tap, basic cocktails, and packaged snacks -- and a few entrees in the evening such as fish and chips, burgers, and curries. A workstation with a desktop PC is set up near reception, and there's a small play area for little ones tucked into a corner with a rug, chairs, and wooden toys. Parking in the lot outside the hotel is available for a nominal fee.