Good Hotel London

Good Hotel London, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a distinctive and socially conscious stay in the Royal Docks, characterized by its unique floating design and commitment to community initiatives.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Good Hotel London generally receives very positive feedback, with an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 based on nearly 3,000 reviews. Other ratings include 8.2 and 17.5/20, with guests frequently describing their experience as "very good" or "exceptional". The sentiment is largely positive, highlighting the hotel's unique concept and friendly atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Good Hotel London:

• Social Mission: The hotel operates as a social impact business, investing its profits in educating children in Guatemala and providing hospitality training and employment opportunities for long-term unemployed locals in London. This "do good" DNA is a significant draw for many travelers.
• Unique Design & Atmosphere: Housed in a repurposed floating platform, the hotel features an industrial-chic and modern design with elements of steel, concrete, and natural woodwork. The communal areas, including the reception, bar, and library, are designed to encourage social interaction.
• Rooftop Terrace & Views: The rooftop terrace is a major attraction, offering panoramic views of the London skyline and the Thames, often described as views most Londoners could only dream of. It's a popular spot for enjoying locally sourced food and craft beer during spring and summer.
• Exceptional Staff: The staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and polite service, contributing significantly to a pleasant stay.

3. Room Quality

Good Hotel London offers cleverly designed rooms that maximize space and style, with interiors inspired by Dutch design and featuring natural, durable, and re-purposed materials. While many rooms are described as compact (around 13 square meters for "Good Rooms"), they are clean, comfortable, and functional. En-suite bathrooms come with walk-in rain showers and locally-made toiletries. Guests can upgrade to "waterview rooms" for impressive views of the Thames and the cable cars. While some older reviews noted a lack of TVs, the hotel has introduced new "Snooze Rooms" that feature Smart TVs and larger spaces (23 sqm). Some guests have mentioned limited wardrobe space in rooms.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's dining offerings are well-regarded. The breakfast bar is described as "excellent" and a "huge selection," including a full English breakfast, cured meats, salads, pastries, fruit, sourdough, and various jams and marmalades. Lunch and dinner are served at the in-house restaurant, "The Living Room," which offers a delicious, succinct tapas-style menu made with locally sourced produce. The bar provides a selection of craft beers and artisan wines, including natural, biodynamic, and low-intervention options.

5. Service & Staff

Service at Good Hotel London is consistently rated highly, with staff receiving a score of 9.2 out of 10. Guests frequently highlight the staff's professionalism, friendliness, politeness, and helpfulness, noting their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. Multilingual staff are available to assist with tours and tickets.

6. Location & Accessibility

Good Hotel London is a floating hotel moored on the Royal Victoria Docks, offering a unique waterfront location. Its location is particularly convenient for those attending events at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, which is a short 5 to 6-minute walk away, and the O2 Arena, accessible via the adjacent IFS Cloud Cable Car.

The hotel boasts excellent transport links:

• DLR: Royal Victoria DLR Station is a 5-minute walk.
• Elizabeth Line: Custom House station is a 10-minute walk, providing quick and direct access to Central London.
• London City Airport: The hotel is approximately 2.5 miles from London City Airport. While a trip to the heart of Central London can take around 40 minutes via two tube lines, the scenic dockside views are often considered a worthwhile trade-off.

7. Value & Pricing

Good Hotel London is widely considered to offer good value for money, reflected in its 8.1 and 8.3 ratings for this category. It's seen as an affordable option for quality rooms in London. While not considered "cheap," its pricing is generally deemed reasonable given the convenience and amenities, especially for event-goers or short stays. A recorded stay on a Monday night was £72.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the generally positive reviews, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Size: A frequent comment is that the rooms can be quite small or compact.
• Lack of TVs (historically): Earlier reviews sometimes mentioned the absence of televisions in rooms, though this has been addressed with the introduction of "Snooze Rooms".
• Limited Storage: Some guests have noted a lack of wardrobe space, with only a few hangers provided in some rooms.
• Minor Maintenance Issues: Occasional mentions of worn carpets or a slight drain smell have appeared in reviews.
• Service During Events: One guest reported feeling overlooked during a private Nike event hosted at the hotel.
• Deposit: A standard security deposit (pre-authorization) of GBP 60 is requested at check-in, which some guests found surprising.
• Breakfast Variety: While generally excellent, one guest noted a limited fruit selection at breakfast on a particular occasion.
• Noise: Proximity to London City Airport means that planes can be heard nearby.

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