Southwark and Southbank, United States
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
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
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.
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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.
