Novotel London Excel is a modern hotel situated along Royal Victoria Dock, offering exquisite views of the Thames. It caters to both business and leisure travelers with spacious rooms equipped with contemporary amenities, work desks, and comfortable bedding. The hotel features diverse dining options, including a stylish restaurant serving international cuisine, and a bar for relaxation. Guests can enjoy fitness facilities and have convenient access to nearby attractions, including the ExCeL Exhibition Centre and the O2 Arena. Its strategic location provides easy links to public transportation, making it an ideal base for exploring London.
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
- Clean and Comfortable Rooms Reviewers frequently mention the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, noting that they are well-maintained and provide a pleasant stay, with comfortable beds and good amenities.
- Convenient Transportation Links The hotel offers easy access to various transportation options, including the Elizabeth Line, DLR, and cable cars, allowing for convenient travel to central London and other attractions.
- Excellent Location for ExCeL The hotel's proximity to the ExCeL Centre is a major advantage, with many reviewers citing it as a primary reason for choosing this hotel, making it ideal for event attendees.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff Many guests have praised the hotel staff for their friendliness, politeness, and helpfulness, often singling out specific individuals for exceptional service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Good On-Site Amenities The hotel boasts a rooftop terrace bar, a restaurant with a good vibe, and a gym, providing guests with options for relaxation, dining, and exercise during their stay.
Criticised
- Air Conditioning Issues A recurring complaint is the ineffectiveness or complete failure of the air conditioning system, leading to uncomfortably warm rooms, particularly on upper floors.
- Breakfast Quality and Price While some appreciate the breakfast selection, others find it overpriced for the quality offered, citing limited vegan options, items running out, and disorganized service.
- Inconsistent Room Quality Some guests have reported issues with room cleanliness, maintenance, and malfunctioning amenities, such as air conditioning, shower drainage, and broken fixtures, indicating a lack of consistency.
- Noise Issues Some guests have experienced noise disturbances, either from external sources like the nearby airport or internal sources such as loud music from the bar or noise from the gym above the rooms.
- Small and Separate Toilet Room Several reviewers have mentioned the small size and separate location of the toilet room as a design flaw, finding it cramped and inconvenient compared to a combined bathroom space.
The longer read
Novotel London Excel receives high marks for its location, especially for those attending events at the ExCeL Centre, which is within easy walking distance. Transportation is convenient, with the Custom House station providing access to the Elizabeth Line, DLR, and the cable car to the O2 Arena. Many reviewers found the hotel to be clean and well-maintained, and some appreciated the modern decor. Several guests specifically mentioned the friendly and helpful nature of the staff, with Mohammed at the front desk being frequently praised for outstanding service, including personalized gestures like birthday surprises. Marco, Olga, Rhys, and Felipe were also mentioned by name for their exceptional service. The breakfast buffet receives positive feedback for its variety and quality, although some reviewers found it expensive and noted crowding during peak times and the need for more drink machines. Some reviewers noted Klea in the restaurant for attentive service. Several reviewers mentioned the rooftop terrace bar as a plus. Rooms are generally considered spacious and well-equipped, but some guests have reported issues with the air conditioning not working effectively. A few guests reported room cleanliness issues (unclean room upon arrival), and some noted wear and tear in the rooms, such as damaged paint or stained furniture. Several reviews mention hard beds, which may be a concern for some guests. Some rooms facing the water offer nice views. A few reviewers noted that the toilet is in a separate, small room from the main bathroom. Some rooms have glass walls between the bedroom and bathroom which may cause privacy concerns. There have been mixed reviews about the ventilation, with some guests experiencing uncomfortably hot rooms. Some guests reported external noise and noise from the bar at night. A few reviewers found the parking fee to be high. A couple of reviews mention issues with shower drainage and shower head design. Some guests had issues with non-stocked minibars or a lack of bottled water in the rooms. Some guests found the restaurant and bar staff to be unfriendly or slow. Others found the breakfast staff to be rude. A few guests had issues with cleanliness of the cutlery. There have been a few complaints about maintenance issues, such as broken appliances and missing lift buttons. Some guests have reported issues with Uber drivers struggling to find the hotel. Some guests have experienced issues with receiving the correct room type or bedding configuration as booked. A few guests reported insect sightings and smells in the rooms. One reviewer had issues with music blaring from the bar late at night.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +442075409700
- Website
- novotel.com
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 12:00
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Air Conditioning
- Bar
- Concierge
- Family Rooms
- Gym
- Heating
- Housekeeping
- Internet
- Ironing
- Laundry
- Minibar
- Non Smoking Rooms
- Outdoor Furniture
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.3 against a median of 3.9 across the 6 venues we hold for Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the most-reviewed of them.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What are the typical room sizes and waterfront view options available at Novotel London Excel?
- How convenient are public transport links and parking options for reaching Novotel London Excel from central London?
- What family‑friendly facilities and services does Novotel London Excel provide for guests traveling with children?
- What types of event and conference spaces are available at Novotel London Excel for business meetings or exhibitions?
- Which nearby attractions and leisure activities can guests easily access from Novotel 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.