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London Holiday Inn Express London - Southwark

Holiday Inn Express London - Southwark

Southwark and Southbank, United States

1/14
Checking prices...

Overview

Pros
  • Five minutes on foot from the tube and close to river attractions

  • Within a 10-minute walk of Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe

  • Clean, modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, kettles, and hairdryers

  • Free breakfast with hot and cold options

  • Bright, funky lobby and lounge with computers

  • Tiny bar on-site, plus plenty within easy walking distance

  • Free Wi-Fi throughout

Cons
  • Breakfast can get a bit manic at peak times

  • Elevators are small and slow

  • No full restaurant

  • No in-room fridge or safe

  • No conference facilities or gym

Bottom Line

Not too far from the happening South Bank and Tate Modern, the 136-room Holiday Inn Express London- Southwark is a value hotel ideal for travelers who want reliable comfort at reasonable prices. Typical of a city chain hotel, it's clean and contemporary, offering the basics but no extras. There's an open-plan lobby that also acts as a small bar and computer area. Dining is limited to the free hot and cold breakfast buffet, and there's no gym. Rooms are crisp and modern, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and desks, plus most have sleek black-tiled bathrooms with rainfall showers. For a slightly better location and all-day cafe, the more stylish London City Hotel is a good alternative. 

Map

United States
Amenities
  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio
  • Business Center
  • Cabanas
  • Cable
  • Cribs
  • Dry Cleaning
  • Free Breakfast
  • Internet
  • Kids Allowed
  • Meeting / Conference Rooms
  • Poolside Drink Service
  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.

Full Review

Scene

Smart chain hotel attracting leisure and business travelers

Located in a modern block building on a busy road surrounded by budget cafes and within walking distance of the river, the hotel is a vibrant, laid-back scene with a mix of tourist and business travelers. An open-plan lobby, lounge, and dining area makes the most of the space and there's a good mix of comfy and functional seating. The design features mostly soft-gray and primary colors, including the large blue ottomans, red armchairs, and white streamlined tables. Murals of London's skyline and aerial map, plus geometric-print rugs add some pizazz. Guests are typically on their way in or out, expect during the free breakfast when it can get quite busy. An elevator is available but past guests have warned it's small and slow, and easier to walk the stairs.

Location

In a nondescript part of otherwise vibrant Southwark, close to the tube and river

Not far from Southwark's buzzing scene, but not in the center of it, the hotel is nevertheless well-located for accessing many of the nearby offerings. Foodie hotspot, Borough Market, is within a 10-minute walk, as is the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe. The event-filled South Bank Centre can be reached on foot in 30 minutes, or in half the time by bus. A five-minute walk to Southwark tube and 10 minutes from London Waterloo East station, it's easy to hop on a train and explore the city. Oxford Street is 15 minutes by tube, as is London's financial district -- The City -- and a 20 minute walk across the river takes travelers to St. Paul's Cathedral. The closest airport is London City Airport, less than 30 minutes by taxi or public transit. Heathrow is an hour's drive and just less by public transport, while Gatwick is slightly farther.

Rooms

Simple and practical with some quality touches and slick bathrooms

Decently sized for London, rooms are generic but practical and modern with a theme of blue and white. They're outfitted with striped carpet, dark-wood furniture, and gray accent walls, plus royal-blue throws that match the curtains and modern wall hangings. Beds are comfy and some have sofa beds. All are air-conditioned and come with flat-screen satellite TVs, a good-sized work desk and chair, kettle alongside tea and coffee, and a hairdryer. There are no fridges or safes. There are also a radio, shelving space, and a hanging rail for clothes. Guests have reported traffic noise to be audible in some rooms. Most bathrooms have sleek glossy black tiling and rainfall showerheads, and all come with toiletries. 

Features

Free breakfast, on-site bar, and free Wi-Fi

This is an express hotel, so features are unsurprisingly limited. A buffet-style breakfast is free and includes items such as sausage, scrambled eggs, and baked beans, as well as pastries, cereal, and coffee. There's no full restaurant, but vending machines sell snacks and a small bar is open throughout the day and evening. It doesn't have much of an atmosphere though, so it's worth walking five or 10 minutes to another bar in the area. Handy for the modern traveler, a computer station is free to use and printing and copying services are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout. No conference facilities or gym are on-site.