Staycations are back, baby!
It’s been a while since my last staycation, but as one of my favourite things to do, I was never going to ‘stay’ away (ahem..) for long. Easing myself back in, I didn’t leave London, heading out East to the Aloft London Excel.
My New Year’s resolution for 2024 was to gift myself a monthly travel moment. Some downtime, an excuse for an adventure… something to look forward to every few weeks. For January, my gift was a DIY wellness staycation on a budget of £100 – well as close as I could get to that in London.
I loaded up my bag with beauty products that I paid a fortune for but never opened, scented candles and a lot good intentions, and checked into the Aloft for the night.
London staycation location
Located in the East of London’s Docklands, the area around the Aloft London Excel is a little bit random. The main attraction is the Excel Centre, London’s vast international convention complex, so when there is a big event in town, the area is buzzing. It gets very busy, the area’s many hotels (Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Moxy, Novotel and more) get booked out and prices skyrocket. But outside of peak times, and most weekends, it can be a really affordable place to stay when visiting London.
Aside from a few restaurants – and whatever venues are at the individual hotels – it is a bit of a deadzone,. However, the area is pretty well connected. It is about a five-minute drive from the only ‘true’ London airport, London City. The Elizabeth Line will take you from Custom House station to the West End in under 20 minutes, so it can be a. good base for sightseeing and nights out. Then there are links to Canary Wharf and Stratford via buses and the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). And, if you are heading to a gig at the O2 in North Greenwich, the cable car could be a fun way to get there.
With off-peak prices that can be 50% of those at hotels in similar categories in central London, if you’re on a budget, it might worth keeping in the mix.
Me? I was definitely on a budget.
The Hotel
Aloft is a four-star property and one of Marriot’s Select-level brands. The style is clean, contemporary and tech-forward. Per Aloft:
Aloft Hotels is open in space and spirit. Fresh, purposeful environments and vibrant spaces that bring people together. We are the next generation of hotel, using technology and design to enhance experiences and move at the pace of our guests.
Aloft website
Er…ok.
Having never stayed at an Aloft before, my best comparison would be another Marriott Select-level brand: Moxy. Having ‘staycationed’ at a couple, my verdict would be that the three-star Moxy would be the cheekier, funkier, no-frills younger sibling to Aloft’s more understated and elevated ‘corporate cool’ spaces. Aloft’s also include access to more amenities: a gym, a pool, sauna and steam, a snack shop. A dedicated restaurant serves an all-day menu, while a separate bar area off the lobby with cocktails, a pool table and lots of casual seating.
There is a music theme running through the brand – though it’s subtle – and the bar is equipped to host musicians as part of their ‘Live @Aloft’ series. So older brother/ cool uncle?
The 252-room property is steps from the Excel Centre. If you arrive via the Prince Regent DLR station, it is just a short walk along the covered walkway. The walk from Custom House would be a little further.
The room
My standard guest room was a decent size for a staycation. There was a comfy king-sized facing twin floor-to ceiling windows that let in a lot of light. I was on a higher floor – fifth – but there was not much of view as there is quite a bit of construction in close proximity (I believe they are extending the Excel? Good soundproofing, I don’t recall hearing much noise).
The bathroom
The bathroom was an open concept, similar to what I had at Mollie’s. The sink area was generous, but essentially open to the room . A floor-to-ceiling shelving unit acted as a divider between bed and bath area, a mirrored sliding door gave the toilet and shower area some privacy.
Basic shower gel and shampoo was available in dispensers in the shower, but I didn’t use. I was on a DIY spa wellness staycation so I packed a LOT of products!
OK, I understand the lack of fluffy robe at this price point (I understand, but I don’t forgive). However, what is up with the tiny bath towels? I do expect an extra large ‘bath sheet’ to be offered as a minimum, so I was a little disappointed to be given something more along the lines of what I’d get staying at a hostel.
And the rest
The shelving unit also featured a VERY compact wardrobe – pack light! There was a hairdryer, iron and ironing board plus the usual safe. A complimentary bottle of water was a nice touch, especially as there was a mini fridge for me to chill it in. I hate room temperature water. Do you know what else I hate? COFFEE BAGS! Let’s not go over this again, my hatred is well documented. Just grrrr!!! Anyway, there was a kettle with tea and coffee bags, UHT milk, sugar.
In the main area, there was a generously sized desk with a range of international outlets, the aforementioned fridge and a really useful padded bench seat.It was big enough for me to be seated and have my bag to the side of me so I could rummage though it in comfort. Nice touch.
Nice big screen TV with the usual useless Freeview channels. It was Chromecast-enabled, but that never works for me. Another useful touch: you could log-in to access complimentary in-room fitness content via the TV. I didn’t check it out as I already have my Peloton app for workouts, but it seems a good perk to offer.
Hotel facilities
This was supposed to be a ‘DIY wellness’ staycation, so one of my reasons for choosing the hotel were its facilities. Aloft guests have access to a gym, pool, sauna and steam room and I planned to take advantage.
The gym
All the leisure facilities are located on the lobby level – to the right of check-in – and you’ll need your key card to access the space. The gym was a good size with the basic TechnoGym equipment: bikes, cross trainers, treadmills, the usual suspects. A few machines, some weights, a good amount of space for mat work, a water machine a some fresh hand towels. It was unstaffed, but you were encouraged to sign-in.
It was serviceable. Disappointed that there was no spin bike, so I did a treadmill workout on my app instead. No biggie. Was also annoyed at the lack of lighter hand weights (that I could see, anyway). I wanted to do a standing core class so 1-3kg dumbells would have been ideal – I could see nothing lighter than 5kg. Again, no biggie. If you are staying one or two nights and just want to get a basic workout in, it’ll get the job done.
The pool area
I think the picture on the website over-sold it a little. I was expecting a much bigger space and with some elegant loungers to relax on poolside. What I got? A more compact space, which was fine. It wasn’t busy, there was room enough for everyone to splash. I liked the purple lighting concept, hated the crappy, cheap, plastic sunbeds. Did not encourage me to linger.
However I appreciated the small steam room and sauna post-workout. Also appreciated that they were both already fired up. Reception had warned me to give them a 15 minute heads-up before using so they could get them ready for me (appreciate the nod to sustainability). I clearly forgot.
It was fine. I think in my head I was picturing something more like the pool at the Pan-Pacific in Liverpool Street, where I did a bit of a grown-up sleepover/chill-out staycation with the girls a couple of years ago.
Similar pool size, but the difference on experience (and budget) between five-star and four star is considerable. I really need to remember the bargain price I’m paying – for access to a nice pool, in LONDON! – and manage my expectations accordingly.
To that end, my final verdict on the leisure facilities? Pretty decent.
Food and drink
The hotel has a couple of venues for eating and drinking. I should explain, the hotel has entrances on two levels. If arriving from street-level or the car park, you’ll enter directly into the lobby. If you are arriving from The Excel or the DLR, the entrance is actually on the second floor. To reach the lobby, you’ll need to descend the very striking spiral staircase – or take the lift.
The Docksider
It is on this ‘upper ground’ level that you will find the main restaurant space, The Docksider. Billed as a ‘neighbourhood kitchen and grill’, it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner services. There is however seating area close to the bar where drinks can be served all day. Its an open, contemporary space with lots of tables. There is also some outside seating, and I did spot what looked like a fun pop-up bar area that is probably open in the summer.
Being on a budget, I wasn’t planning on having a meal – though the menu looked good. Instead, I grabbed some chunky chips (yum) and a half Stella on draft. Not too busy and service was attentive.
The Docksider was also where the buffet breakfast – -included in my rate -was offered. Good options. There was fruit, smoothie shots, overnight oats, yogurt and granola for those feeling healthy. The usual cereals, pastries, toast and other breads. Then there was a hot counter with eggs scrambled and fried, bacon (too underdone for my taste), sausages, hash browns etc. I am sure I saw someone given an omelette, so there may have been additional items available on request. There was machine coffee and dispenser juices, but you could order premium drinks at an additional costs.
I grabbed a selection of healthy – and not so healthy – options and ate my fill. Tasty and decent value. ‘Decent’. I’ve used that word a lot during this review…
WXYZ bar and the lobby
On the lobby level, there is the signature XYZ Bar. A lovely space…that was closed. On a Friday night. What can I say? I get it, it was a quiet evening and knowing that bookings were probably low, they possibly chose not to bring in additional staff for the evening. A cocktail-free staycation is disappointing, however.
I did tour the space, though. Really expansive, with lots of different styles of seating area: booths, couches, high tables with stools. Loved the funky pops of colour and the coffee tables dotted about with comic book-style design elements. There was a pool table, table football, a DJ booth and space for bands to play live.
Not tonight, though.
Also in the lobby, is a 24-hour grab and go kiosk where you can pick up snacks, wine, coffee, pastries and £2.50 snickers bars. Can’t blame them – captive audience. There are not many shops locally, so if you are a staycation snacker, maybe bring your own? Pay for your purchases at reception and, shout-out to the lovely staff who comped me a coffee after check-out.
The London staycation: staying Aloft summary
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: decent. The design is cool and practical, the amenities good, but not outstanding. The bed was comfy, I slept well. The staff were attentive and friendly. For the price I paid, it was excellent value – especially in London, which is notoriously expensive. On the staycation front, I think I wanted somewhere with a touch more ‘life’ and luxury.
However, if you are in town for some sightseeing and can snag a deal, don’t sleep on this hotel, or indeed, this area as an option. It is very well connected transport-wise – you can into the centre within twenty minutes so, unless you are planning late nights which might leave you reliant on Uber, its cheap and convenient. There is also an on-site guest car park (£16/day), so if you are driving from elsewhere, a safe and convenient place to leave your car. (Note the hotel is OUTSIDE the congestion charge zone, but inside ULEZ).
Have a ‘decent ‘stay!
The Aloft London Excel, One Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1FR. My Friday night stay in their lowest category guest room with buffet breakfast was £103 via booking.com.
