Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel offers a modern and comfortable stay in the heart of London. Situated near the ExCel Exhibition Centre, it is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features well-appointed rooms equipped with essential amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and comfortable bedding for a restful night. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning and take advantage of the on-site fitness center. With easy access to public transport, the hotel provides convenient links to central London attractions.
What each source says
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Comfortable Accommodations The rooms are generally described as cozy with comfortable beds and a good choice of pillows, offering a peaceful and restful environment suitable for a good night's sleep.
- Complimentary Breakfast The included breakfast is widely appreciated for its variety, convenience, and value, making it a stress-free start to the day for those attending events or exploring the city.
- Convenient DLR Access The hotel is perfectly located just a short walk from the DLR station, providing easy and stress-free transport links to the ExCeL center, O2 Arena, and central London.
- Excellent Staff Service Numerous guests consistently praise the hotel team for their friendly, welcoming, and accommodating demeanor, noting that they go above and beyond to resolve issues and provide a positive stay.
- High Cleanliness Standards Guests frequently mention the rooms are exceptionally clean and modern, highlighting a well-maintained environment that feels fresh and comfortable for business travelers and tourists alike.
Criticised
- Inconvenient Hidden Costs Guests frequently report dissatisfaction regarding additional fees, such as daily parking charges and substantial upfront authorization holds on cards for incidentals, which can take several days to be returned.
- Limited Room Space Several reviewers note that rooms, particularly those set up for families with sofa beds, feel quite cramped with limited storage space and occasionally uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.
- Maintenance and Plumbing Some rooms suffer from slow-draining showers that can lead to water pooling, and a few guests experienced minor maintenance gripes like broken fixtures or ineffective ventilation.
- Noise and AC Issues Multiple guests highlight issues with noisy air conditioning units or fans, and some mention poor soundproofing where they could easily hear plumbing or activity from neighboring rooms.
- Underwhelming Breakfast Quality While convenient, many diners feel the hot breakfast options lack variety, can be served lukewarm, and sometimes lack the fresh ingredients expected by travelers looking for healthier choices.
The longer read
The Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel is widely recognized as a reliable, clean, and highly convenient choice, particularly for travelers attending events at the ExCeL London or visiting the O2 Arena. Its proximity to the DLR station is a standout feature, providing guests with stress-free access to central London and City Airport. The general consensus highlights the hotel as a solid, budget-conscious option that delivers consistent quality. Guests frequently commend the staff for being exceptionally friendly, helpful, and professional, often singling out team members for praise regarding their responsiveness and customer service. The atmosphere is generally described as welcoming and efficient, with many guests appreciating the 24-hour availability of food and the well-stocked, included breakfast, which serves as a convenient start to the day for those with busy schedules.
While the hotel is praised for cleanliness and modern design, potential guests should be aware of some common limitations. Many reviews mention that rooms, especially family configurations, can feel compact. The sofa beds, when utilized, have received mixed feedback regarding comfort, with some guests finding them uneven or inadequate. Additionally, while the hotel is generally quiet, some guests have noted occasional issues with external noise, such as proximity to the airport or air-conditioning units, and internal noise, including sound carrying between rooms or plumbing sounds. The lack of windows in some rooms and limited natural ventilation are also points of note for those sensitive to room air quality or temperature control, though reception is often cited as helpful in adjusting settings when requested.
Dining and amenities offer a mixed but generally satisfactory experience. The included breakfast is consistently viewed as a high-value perk, providing a decent variety of hot and cold options, though some guests suggest the selection could occasionally benefit from more variety or higher temperature control. The on-site bar and dining facilities are praised for their convenience, especially for late-night needs, though some reviewers found the menu limited. Guests should be prepared for potential administrative policies, such as mandatory deposits at check-in, which may take several days to be released, and separate charges for parking, which some found unexpected. Overall, the hotel excels as a practical base for events and business, offering great value for money provided guests manage their expectations regarding room size and dining variety.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 00441413330545
- Website
- ihg.com/redirect?path=hd&localeCode=en&hotelCode=LONXC
- Check in
- 14:00 · out 11:00
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Air Conditioning
- Bar
- Electric Kettle
- Family Rooms
- Garden
- Heating
- Housekeeping
- Internet
- Laundry
- Non Smoking Rooms
- Outdoor Furniture
- Parking
- Rental Car
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.2 against a median of 4.3 across the 9 venues we hold for Borough of Greenwich, and the most-reviewed of them.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What amenities are included in the guest rooms at Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel?
- What types of food are offered in the complimentary breakfast at Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel?
- Which nearby attractions and landmarks are within walking distance of Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel?
- What public transportation options are most convenient for reaching central London from Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel?
- What are the hours and equipment available in the on‑site fitness centre at Holiday Inn Express London - ExCel?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.