De Vere Devonport House

The hotel is set in a beautiful, four-story red-brick building that was once the hospital for the British Royal Navy. Due to its historical importance, it is protected by a Grade One listing, and the land itself is a World Heritage Site. The building's naval history is clear throughout most of the property -- some of the 23 meeting rooms have nautical pictures on the walls, as well as touches of grandeur, such as wood paneling, chandeliers, ceiling cornicing, and open fireplaces. The lobby feels more modern, with a giant clock painted across one wall, and a cluster of clean-lined leather benches and brown armchairs near the sleek, wooden front desk. There are three acres of well-maintained land, too, which provide a peaceful place for walking, and make the hotel a popular choice for wedding receptions. Most guests here are corporate, however, as many conferences and business meetings take place at the property -- this can mean that the bar gets busy during certain times. A fair number of tourists are attracted here by the hotel’s history, though, and a lot of guests also stay here when visiting the nearby O2 center. 

Although it’s around a half-hour drive from central London, the hotel is near plenty of sights -- and fans of nautical history will be in their element. The hotel is right next door to the National Maritime Museum, and a few minutes' walk to the famous Cutty Sark, the last surviving British tea clipper. Also next to the hotel is Greenwich Park, which is one of the Royal Parks of London, a former hunting park, and among the most expansive green spaces in southeast London. The Royal Observatory, an 18th-century astronomical observatory that's now a museum with a planetarium, is within a 15-minute walk. The center of Greenwich is around a two-minute walk, and has a range of charming independent shops, bars, and restaurants; Greenwich Market is there, too, and has some unusual stalls selling everything from ethnic food to vintage clothes. It’s around 15 minutes' drive to the O2 center, where many large concerts are held. Transport links are good here, too: it’s a few minutes' walk to Cutty Sark Docklands Light Railway station, and a 10-minute walk to Greenwich Underground station. Gatwick and Stanstead Airports are both within an hour’s drive, and the hotel has parking on-site. 

Guest rooms feel warm and a bit homey. The decor is plain -- bordering on bland -- with shades of pale blue and yellow on the bedding, carpeting, and plaid curtains. It seems a shame that the nautical theme has not been carried through to the design here. Each room has light wood furniture, including a small desk and nightstands. Rooms are quiet and many have nice outlooks over the gardens. Tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers, irons, and ironing boards are all provided. There's no air-conditioning, but fans are available. Connecting rooms, cribs, and extra beds can be requested. Bathrooms are done in mostly white tile, and offer nothing special in terms of style, though are nicely sized and have shower/tub combos. 

The hotel’s three acres of land are well-maintained with pretty lawns, trees, and shrubbery. Admiral Hardy, a Royal Navy officer, was buried in a small cemetery on the grounds. Car parking is available here, which is a big bonus, and is reasonably priced. Breakfast is not included in the room rate, but the hot and cold buffet has a good selection and offers good value. The Galley restaurant serves modern international dishes, from steak to sea bass, plus a children's menu offering good value, healthy meals. The Officer's Mess bar provides big screens showing live sports or news, and large sofas and an outdoor terrace with wooden chairs and tables. The bar menu offers more casual meals, like sandwiches, pizza, and burgers. Room service is available. There are 23 meeting rooms with the latest audiovisual equipment, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.