Excellent Accommodation: Aloft London Excel Hotel Review

Aloft London ExCeL is a contemporary hotel featuring 252 loft-inspired guest rooms in the heart of London’s Docklands.

As part of the Starwood Hotels group — which includes brands like Le Méridien, W Hotels, and St. Regis — the Aloft London ExCeL is the first hotel of its brand in the UK. The property is strategically located near the ExCeL conference and exhibition centre, London City Airport, and Canary Wharf, and is a short distance from up-and-coming areas in London’s East End. Amenities include a modern grab-and-go pantry, streamlined reception areas, funky public areas, a combined bar and restaurant, as well as a gym and splash pool.

The hotel’s exterior is visually striking. One half of the building features a facade of purple, green, and magenta tiles, designed with clean lines and modern architecture that distinguish it from its surroundings. The other half is constructed primarily of glass, maintaining the organic flow of the tiled section. The hotel is easily accessible via the DLR, and its entrance is a brief walk from the station — and it’s so bold, you won’t miss it.

The hotel rooms offer large windows that provide expansive views of the Thames river, London city, and beyond. The rooms are also equipped with high-quality blackout blinds. Guests can choose from suites, king, or double queen rooms, all of which feature walk-in showers, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a versatile plug-and-play connectivity station compatible with a 42-inch LCD TV through AV and HDMI ports. You can also charge your devices through the station, which is handy if you forget your charger.

The colour scheme of the hotel stands out, and is notable for its combination of vivid oranges, greens, and magentas, which integrate seamlessly with more muted, earthy tones. This palette is unified by striped upholstery and light fittings.

Although the hotel’s location may seem slightly removed from the city centre — and might be a little ‘business’ — it benefits from convenient DLR links to central London via the nearby Prince Regent station. A taxi ride from Hoxton takes just over 20 minutes, making travel to and from the hotel quite efficient. Overall, Aloft London ExCeL proves to be a significant asset to the London Docklands area.

What: Aloft London Excel
Where: One Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1FR
Web: aloftlondonexcel.com