London's BEST Hotel Near Excel? Aloft's Secret Revealed!
Okay, Listen Up! Seriously, This is the SECRET to Excel: My Honest Review of Aloft London Excel (AND It's Good, REALLY Good!)
Alright, alright, picture this: You're heading to the Excel Centre in London. Maybe for a trade show, a conference, or (gulp) maybe even a wedding you've been dreading for months. (No judgment, I've been there!) The last thing you want is a dodgy hotel experience that leaves you feeling more stressed than a politician at a press conference. That's where Aloft London Excel comes in. And let me tell you, after battling the London Underground once too many times, I'm a convert. This isn't just another hotel review; this is a survival guide.
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First Impressions: Arrival and Accessibility - Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks
My first thought? Whew. Getting to Aloft is actually EASY. Seriously, coming from central London is a breeze on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). And for those of you who, like me, are prone to overpacking, the car park [on-site] is a godsend! Car park [free of charge] bonus if you are so lucky!
Accessibility: I'm not going to pretend to need wheelchair accessibility, but I did see the hotel has thought of it. Good for them! They seem to have facilities for disabled guests. I saw elevator access throughout, which is a HUGE win. Check-in/out [express] and contactless check-in/out were seriously helpful after a tiring journey.
Rooms: The Sanctuary (Finally!)
Okay, the rooms. This is genuinely where Aloft shines. They are Available in all rooms: a haven. I'm talking about Air conditioning (essential, trust me), Blackout curtains (thank you, sleep gods!), and a really comfy bed. The extra long bed' are so welcomed. They had a desk, internet access - wireless, internet access - LAN, a laptop workspace. And, get this: free Wi-Fi! (I know, revolutionary, right?!) There's even a socket near the bed, so you can charge your phone while simultaneously doom-scrolling the internet. Because, let's be honest, that's how we all unwind, right? And finally, I love the mirror.
And that bathroom! It's functional, modern, and I'm a big fan of the shower. Additional toilet made life a lot easier.
The Imperfection: My Mini Bar Mishap
I had a minor blip. My mini-bar wasn't quite as well stocked as it could have been, and I'm pretty sure my bottle of water vanished mysteriously. (Maybe I drank it in a sleep-deprived haze? Who knows!) But honestly, the staff were fantastic. They were so quick to sort it out. This hotel seems to love its guests!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Excel Beast
Now, let's talk fuel. The restaurants are good, really good. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Yes, please! Western cuisine in restaurant too! Coffee/tea in restaurant, happy hour at the bar, it's all there! Breakfast is a breakfast [buffet] or breakfast service. The Breakfast [buffet] was a lifesaver – a glorious display of everything you could possibly want to eat before facing the Excel madness. There were even vegetarian restaurant options!
Important Covid Notes: Cleanliness and Safety - Peace of Mind (Finally!)
I'm a worrier by nature, especially about germs. So, I was beyond relieved to see how seriously Aloft takes safety. They've got the whole shebang: Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, staff trained in safety protocol. Hand sanitizer everywhere! I felt genuinely safe. The safe dining setup made eating at the restaurant a breeze, and I appreciated the individually-wrapped food options.
Things to do and Ways to Relax: Beyond the Excel Walls
Okay, enough about meetings! How do you relax at Aloft? Swimming pool? Tick. Pool with view? Double tick! I didn't have time for the spa or the sauna, which is a crime, because I could have been so pampered. I did get a glimpse of the fitness center, which looked surprisingly well-equipped - perhaps a post-conference workout is on the cards.
The Quirks and the Charm: A Hotel with Personality
Aloft isn't your stuffy, corporate-feeling hotel. It's got personality. The decor is modern and trendy, the vibe is relaxed, and the staff are genuinely friendly. The music playing in the lobby was actually good (a rarity!) and I even saw a couple of people lounging on the terrace enjoying the sunshine!
The Verdict: Why Aloft is My Excel Saviour
Look, I’m not going to lie. I was slightly dreading this trip. The conference, the travel, the exhaustion… But Aloft London Excel made it bearable, dare I say, even enjoyable. Its accessibility, comfort, cleanliness and genuinely good service make it a winner. This hotel is actually good.
My Recommendation: BOOK IT!
This is the hotel near Excel you want. It's well-connected, it's a proper hotel (not just a bed for the night), and most importantly, it offers a sanctuary from the madness of the exhibition.
My Final Thought: Don't Hesitate, Just Book.
Don’t fall into the Excel trap! Book Aloft London Excel. You deserve it.
SPECIAL OFFER EXCLUSIVE TO MY READERS!
Tired of the Excel Grind? Escape to Aloft!
Book your stay at Aloft London Excel NOW using code "EXCELRELAX" and receive:
- 15% Off Your Stay!
- Complimentary Breakfast for Two! (Because you deserve it!)
- Early Check-In/Late Check-Out (Subject to availability) to maximize your relax time!
- A special, free welcome drink!
Don't delay! This offer is for a limited time only. Click here to book and treat yourself! [Insert link to Aloft booking page]
P.S. Tell them I sent you (even though they probably won't know who I am). You'll be glad you did. Seriously, go book it!
Casa da Horta 12: Your Albufeira Dream Villa Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL, Aloft London Excel style. Prepare for chaos, exhilaration, and the distinct possibility I'll end up eating all the crisps in the mini-bar.
Aloft London Excel: OPERATION “MAKE MEMORIES (AND MAYBE GET SOME SLEEP)”
Day 1: Arrival of the Slightly-Bedraggled
14:00 - "Arrival" (read: stumbling out of the tube, looking like I'd wrestled a particularly grumpy badger). Found the hotel. Thank God. The DLR was a sweaty, sardine-can experience and I'm pretty sure my deodorant tapped out somewhere near Canary Wharf. Seriously, how many escalators can one station have?
14:30 - Check-in & Room Reconnaissance. Ah, a haven! The room is actually… quite nice. Modern. Clean. A glorious, promise of a king-sized bed. I IMMEDIATELY throw myself on it, arms outstretched like I'm winning a gold medal in the Lying Down Olympics. Note to self: resist the urge to rearrange the furniture. I am incredibly tired.
15:00 - The Great Wi-Fi Hunt. Commence the search. Because, newsflash, the world keeps spinning and I need to tell people I have arrived alive. After a minor wrestling match with the sign-in process, I am victorious. Praise the internet gods!
15:30 - Refuelling at Re:fuel by Aloft. Okay, so I was NOT kidding about the crisps. Grab a bag of salt and vinegar loveliness at Re:Fuel. Also, a coffee. Decaf maybe? Wait, no, absolutely no. Let's go double-espresso-with-extra-foam. And then a pastry. Fine, two. I'm on holiday, dammit!
16:30- 18:00 - ExCeL Exploration (Or, How I Almost Got Lost in a Giant Convention Centre). This is where things get…interesting. I'm here for [insert conference name here]. The sheer scale of ExCeL is overwhelming. It's like the Tardis of convention centres – bigger on the inside! Finding the right hall is akin to navigating a very poorly-lit maze. I take a wrong turn. Then another. And then I stumble upon a… cat show? Seriously? Actual cats. Judging. My brain is already fried from the travel, and I just feel a bit…lost. I guess I'll just have to get used to it.
18:30 - Dinner at [insert restaurant name here]. I'm starving, so I go with whatever is closest and has availability. Hopefully, they take my American Express…
20:00 - Relaxation. A good sleep is deserved, finally.
Day 2: London Calling (and Maybe a Little Bit of Panic)
08:00 - Wakeup, and "Morning, Sunshine!" (Or, why am I so tired after 9 hours of sleep?). I've got the hang of the coffee machine in the room. That is something.
09:00 - Back to those endless conference halls. Maybe I'll get a bit more accomplished today. Probably not.
12:00 - Lunch- or Food-related crisis.. I'm surrounded by people. I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to pick. I go with the safest, easiest, most bland option, but it's surprisingly all right. I have no idea what I'm looking for at the moment.
13:00 - Conference, whatever.
16:00 - Excursion to the Royal Albert Hall (Weather permitting).. I have heard there is something to be seen there.
18:00 - Dinner at a pub (hopefully with Fish and Chips). I need that fried-fish hug! I found a pub near the hotel. Hoping for a lovely experience.
20:00 - Live Music at the W XYZ Bar (and Potential Regret). Oh, the bar. It’s temptingly close. The music sounds promising. This is where I potentially make bad decisions. This will require further investigation. Let's see if I remember it tomorrow.
Day 3: The Parting of Ways (And the Search for a Decent Breakfast)
07:00 - Check Out.
07:30 - Breakfast (The Great Croissant Crisis). Where can I find something a little bit more interesting than the beige breakfast buffet?
08:30 - Departure. Back to the airport. Back to reality.
Unscheduled Anomalies (Because Life Happens):
- The Sock Incident. The disappearance of a sock. Mysteriously vanished. I blame the hotel laundry fairies.
- The "Accidental" Room Service Treat". Let us not speak of it.
- The Moment of Pure Bliss. The memory of which I will treasure, which may be completely forgotten. It's the little things.
Final Thoughts (Or, Ramblings of a Jet-Lagged Human):
Look, this isn't going to be the most picture-perfect trip. There'll be moments of glorious beauty and utter confusion. I will overpack. I will probably get lost. But that's the point, isn't it? It's about the messy, the imperfect, the gloriously human experience of just…being there. And maybe, just maybe, I'll remember a few key things, like how to say "thank you" in the local dialect. And where that cat show was, because let's be honest, that's what I'll be telling everyone about when I got home. Wish me luck. I'll need it.
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1. Okay, spill the tea. Is Aloft London Excel *really* the best hotel near Excel? Because, let's face it, "near Excel" doesn't exactly scream "romantic getaway."
Alright, alright! Deep breath. "Best" is subjective, right? Depends if your definition of "best" involves a butler named Reginald, or just a place that doesn't make you want to weep at the thought of the Excel Centre. **Honestly?** For convenience, for the price, and for the slightly-less-depressing decor compared to some of the other options... yeah, it's up there. It's walking distance, which is a *huge* win. I've spent hours sweating in my suit, inching forward in Excel-bound traffic before, and honestly, the pain is real.
2. So, walking distance. How *far* are we talking? Because my feet already hurt thinking about it.
Okay, so it's... manageable. Probably a 5-10 minute stroll, depending on your stride and how many times you stop to check your phone, muttering about the impending doom awaiting you at the conference. Look, it's close enough that you don't have to faff about with taxis or the tube, which is godsend when you're lugging a bag full of brochures and promotional pens. Trust me – I've been there. I actually once walked to the Excel in heels (don't judge, work event!) and let's just say those *felt* like 10 miles.
3. The Rooms - what's the vibe? Instagrammable? Or functional and slightly sad? Be honest.
Alright, the rooms. This is where we get into the slightly-less-perfect territory. They're... *modern*. Think clean lines, muted colours, and a distinct lack of anything particularly memorable. Not actively depressing, which is a win in this part of London. The design is functional, okay, not exactly "wow-worthy". Honestly, if you're looking for Instagrammable, you're better off taking photos of your *coffee* and then *maybe* the view outside. (Which, let's face it, can vary wildly. Sometimes you'll get a view of the O2, and other times, a view of the car park. It's a gamble.)
4. Tell me about the food. Because let's face it, hotel restaurants can be… a mixed bag, right?
The food… okay, the food. The breakfast is decent enough. A solid buffet with the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (sometimes a bit… curdled, if I'm honest), bacon, pastries that are probably at least a day old, and a coffee machine that seems to have a personal vendetta against me. There's a restaurant for dinner, which I *did* try once. Let’s just say it wasn't *memorable*. Think standard hotel fare. Nothing to write home about, but it'll fill a hole in your stomach, especially after a day of networking. Honestly, find a decent pub nearby. Much better craic.
5. Okay, alright. Any specific amenities or features that make this hotel stand out, even a little? A hidden gym? A secret cocktail bar?
Secret cocktail bar? Sadly, no. Hidden gym? Yes, a small one! *Very* small. Expect a treadmill, a couple of weights, and maybe a battle rope if you're lucky. But, seriously, the gym might be good after doing too much work! The main reason I found the gym was because I was walking during the night and was searching for the ice machines. It's all convenient, though. There's also a bar, which is actually pretty lively in the evenings, especially if there's a big event on at the Excel. It's not exactly the Savoy, but it works for a quick pint or two after a long day of pretending to be interested in the latest widgets.
6. Let’s talk about the staff. Are they friendly? Efficient? Or do they also hate Excel?
Ah, the staff. This is where Aloft often shines. Generally, they're pretty good. Helpful, friendly, and surprisingly cheerful, considering they're probably dealing with a constant stream of weary delegates and bleary-eyed exhibitors. Honestly, I've had some fantastic encounters. One time, I spilled coffee *all* over my (expensive) work shirt in the lobby (mortifying!). The front desk staff didn't even blink. They were helpful and sympathetic and even pointed me in the direction of the laundry in the hotel. Total lifesaver. So, yeah, the staff get a thumbs up from me.
7. Okay, the elephant in the room – The Price. Is it budget-friendly? Bank-breaking? Somewhere in between?
The price... depends. It's generally on the slightly-more-affordable side, especially compared to some of the other options near Excel, particularly at peak event times. It's definitely not budget accommodation. Think reasonably priced, rather than 'OMG-I-can-afford-to-live-here-forever' cheap. Do your research, compare prices, and book in advance, especially if you're going during a big conference. Because trust me, last-minute bookings near the Excel can get *ugly*, price-wise. And by "ugly," I mean 'rent-a-small-flat-in-zone-1' ugly.
8. Here's a random one: What's the vibe in the lobby? Is it a hive of activity, or a ghost town? Because I need somewhere to strategize and not look like a complete weirdo.
The lobby... well, it really depends on the time of day and what's going on at the Excel. During the day, it's usually buzzing with people. Pre-conference rush, post-conference decompression. People are rushing, working on laptops, networking… it's a proper hub of activity. It's a good place to people-watch, or to discreetly plot world domination (or, you know, just a successful presentation). At night, it’s a bit calmer, especially if there aren’t many events. It's a pretty safe space, which I like, because one time, I got slightly lost walking to a random pub.
9. Any major *downsides* we should be aware of? Besides the slightly-curdled scrambled eggs?
Okay, let's get real. TheComfy Hotel Finder
