Hotel ibis budget London Whitechapel – Brick Lane

The Hotel ibis budget London Whitechapel is situated in a modern high-rise with a blue and white facade. Built for function and low on frills, the hotel features simple but clean and contemporary decor and limited amenities. Guests tend to find this budget offering from the ibis chain a good value, and it's a solid choice for travelers and tourists who want to save money while still staying in private rooms.

The hotel is situated in Whitechapel in London's East End, squeezed between a large mosque and a city hospital. Though it's a bit far from the city center, Shoreditch and Brick Lane are popular destinations that are within walking distance and full of trendy shops and restaurants. Some guests enjoy this grittier, non-tourist side of London, but others note that the area can be slightly foreboding after dark. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge can be reached on foot in about 25 minutes. For sights further out, the Whitechapel underground station (District Line) is about a five-minute walk, giving access to sights like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace in 30 minutes or less. Aldgate Station (Circle Line) is also in walking distance (about 12 minutes away), as are several bus stops. Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport can both be reached via public transport in about an hour. 

Guest rooms at this ibis are tiny (all rooms are called "cocoon" rooms) and simple, but clean and contemporary. They feature wood laminate flooring and either green or blue accents. Sinks and shower stalls face directly into the rooms (toilet stalls are private), which might pose privacy issues for some guests. Most rooms have twin or double beds, but Triple Rooms have double beds with top bunks. All rooms are air-conditioned and include individual temperature controls, flat-screen TVs, little desks (narrow tables attached to walls, plus stools for seating), and free Wi-Fi. Windows can be small, so rooms may feel dark. Guests occasionally complain of traffic noise when staying in lower rooms. Rooms on higher floors may have fairly nice skyline views of the city.

This budget property has few extra frills, but there's a large, open lobby with lounge and cafe space, as well as light snacks, water, sodas, and microwavable meals for sale. (A microwave is available for guests use.) The hotel offers a standard continental breakfast (cereal, breads, yogurt, fruit) for an extra fee, which guests find to be a good value. The front desk is open 24/7, and the hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning services. A computer is available for guest use, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. There is no on-site parking.