Aloft London Excel

The Aloft London Excel is only eight stories high but towers over the flat landscape of Royal Victoria Dock. It resembles a giant curl of shiny ribbon with one side a gleaming, jewel-tone mosaic and the other a subdued, steely gray. The front parking lot has London's elevated Dockland Light Rail ringing its border, and there's a wide drive-up to the lobby entrance. Just through the doors, a blonde wood and brushed chrome spiral staircase with a glossy black standup piano at its base makes a striking first impression. The hotel draws business travelers and its public spaces feel like a swanky airport terminal. Across from the front desk there's a 24-hour self-serve commissary that recollects midcentury modern design with everything from wrapped sandwiches and snacks to espresso and candy. A glass panoramic wall extends far beyond the reception area and massive stone-like pillars define sections of the bright, space-aged-inspired lobby lounge. Furnishings are playful: high-back tufted benches and footstools in magenta and grape, a pool table with a bright pink baize, and more than a dozen mini floor lamps in a rainbow of colors. The lobby bar is sleek, modern, and slightly retro, with industrial metal high-back chairs and a curvy, polished chrome tap that's fashioned after a 1950s soda fountain. In addition to those traveling for work, the Aloft London Excel attracts families with kids in-tow looking for accommodations in a fun, stylish setting. 

For those attending events at the ExCeL conference center, Aloft London Excel couldn't be more convenient as it's the only hotel connected to the facility. The hotel's Docklands location is also ideal for access to London City Airport. While it's a short walk to public transit on London's Docklands Light Rail (DLR) -- which connects to the tube -- the hotel is far from sights and the hubbub of the city.

• Seven-minute walk to Prince Regent Docklands Light Rail station
• Six-minute drive to London City Airport (more with traffic)
• 29 minutes to Tower of London via public transport
• 33 minutes to Westminster Abbey via public transport
• 34 minutes to London Eye via public transport
• 36 minutes to St. Paul's Cathedral via public transport
• 37 minutes to Tate Modern via public transport
• 38 minutes to Buckingham Palace via public transport
• 40 minutes to Piccadilly Circus via public transport
• 41 minutes to Trafalgar Square via public transport
• 46 minutes to British Museum via public transport
• 54-minute drive to London Heathrow Airport (more with traffic)

Rooms at Aloft London Excel have a serene, aquatic-inspired palette. Cool shades of blue and gray are mixed with stark white and furniture is done in honey-colored, glossy grained wood. Carpeting has an intricate geometric pattern of interlocking squares in sky blue, cerulean, and teal, that resembles lapping water from afar. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi, bottled water, coffee, and tea -- but there are no minibars. Desks with ergonomic chairs make for comfortable workspaces and wide, royal blue benches are useful for lounging or laying out clothes. Dressing areas have sizable wardrobes, vessel sinks, and Bliss bath products set on long counters, and large vanities and full-length mirrors. Bathrooms are all white with charcoal gray floors and have stall showers with soap and shampoo dispensers. Upgrading to a suite affords separate living areas with banquette sofas, coffee tables, round dining tables with four Bertoia-style chairs, and views of the waterfront or Canary Wharf. Added creature comforts include Nespresso machines, additional flat-screen TVs, slightly larger bathrooms with second sinks, and a few extra Bliss products. 

The Aloft London Excel has a solid list of amenities to offset its isolated Docklands location, which lacks the conveniences of central London. There's a 24-hour self-serve commissary with gourmet eats to-go, games and a pool table, plenty of areas to lounge, free Wi-Fi, and a lobby computer station with a Mac, PC, and printer. 

The property has an attractive on-site restaurant, Docksider, done up in decor that gives a nod to midcentury modern. There's a full English breakfast buffet (fee) and standard American grill fare for lunch and dinner. Kids eat for free and can choose items from a special menu. The bar, W XYZ, serves up craft cocktails and has live music on the first three Thursday's of each month. Room service is also available.

The large, bright fitness center -- with energetic, striped carpeting in turquoise, gray, and white, and rows of up-to-date treadmills, ellipticals, and more -- is open 24 hours. Another top-notch feature is the inviting pool set in a striking light-filled room that has a mirrored wall and high ceilings, with a row of loungers, a sauna, and a steam room off to one side. 

Kids get goody bags at check-in and pooches can partake in free treats or take a snooze on a plush dog bed, as the hotel is pet-friendly (with a 40-pound weight restriction). While there's a fee for parking, the hotel runs free shuttle busses every 15 minutes to Canary Wharf.