Does anyone have any feedback on the Holiday Inn Express London City?

I'm thinking of staying there for 2 nights later this month as it's one of the few hotels I can use my points on. I'm looking for something clean and in a decent location (close to a tube station). Thanks!

If it's in the City of London, this is the financial district which is full of workers during the day but deserted on weekends. I wouldn't recommend staying there on a weekend as you will find most things closed, if it's during the week it would be a bit more lively. If it is close walking distance to a tube station, that's a plus, you can check that on Google maps, select 'Transit' under 'Traffic' and it will show you the tube lines.

Kay

It wouldn't be my first choice, but for free -- you'd survive

the only nearby tube station is Old Street, which is on the eastern branch of the Northern line so not all that convenient. Basically you'd have transfers or multiple transfers to get anywhere.

One plus - it is near the wonderful Geffrye Museum. But other sites will be a bit of a slog . . .

KayF: Didn't see your post. This HI isn't in the 'City' - it's in Shoreditch really . . .

It's not the back of beyond - this is now the arty/wouldbe-edgy area (but rapidly gentrifying, as they all do); but it is further away from the kind of places you're likely to want to visit. There are buses as well as the tube:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...pital-2197.pdf

Or are you talking about London City Airport? If you are talking about the airport location then a BIG NO! Its not in an attractive location and is a long (20min) commute into central London.

I wondered about that, janisj, but Holiday Inn (rightly) call that one the Royal Docks HI Express.

I assume you mean me, not janisj, and that makes much more sense!

Another "free" hotel option is the Ramada Encore London West. I believe this one is about 20 minutes from central London. Is this one a better location than the Holiday Inn Express London City?

While both options are a ways out, I save quite a bit by staying there for 2 nights. I'm then moving to Charing Cross which seems to be a better hotel AND in a better location. Thanks!

From a location standpoint, I'd definitely go with the HI over the Ramada. Neither are extremely convenient to tourist sites, but the HI is in zone 1 of the Tube while the Ramada is barely in zone 2.

As others have said, the HI isn't ideal, but it's not a disaster either, and I definitely get the appeal of saving those two nights' hotel bills!

"<i>Is this one a better location than the Holiday Inn Express London City?</i>"

NO!!!!

The mis-named HI Express London City is much better located. My first post and PatrickLondon's first post explain the situation/pros/cons of the location. The rest of the posts are based on the <i>name</i> 'London City' -- not on its actual location.

(For those confused by the City vs LCY vs Docklands talk . . . The HI Express City is in Old Street. Nothing at all to do w/ The City or w/ London City Airport)

That should have read >>Some of the rest are based on the <i>name</i> 'London City' -- not on its actual location<<

OK. The HI Express London City it is! While it's not an ideal location, I can definitely spend the money I've saved for other parts of my trip.

Thanks so much for everyone's feedback.

Two other options came up for hotels. Any feedback on the Holiday Inn Kings Cross or the Crowne Plaza London Shoreditch?

It seemed like the closest tube station to both of the hotels is a bit of a walk - about 15 minutes away. Any recommendations? Thanks.

The Crowne Plaza is a converted office block slightly further away from the city centre than your original choice, though in much the same general sort of area. The immediate surroundings lack charm, since it's on the main road, but it is on top of Spitalfields/Brick Lane. Excellent bus links, and the nearest tube you're likely to use is nearer than you think - about 5-10 minutes walk to Liverpool St.

The Holiday Inn on Kings Cross Road is on the edges of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, much closer to the places you're likely to want to visit - within a few minutes walk you'd be in a very nice bit of Bloomsbury (check Google Streetview to see what I mean). True, it is a fair walk from tube stations, but bus 63 runs past the hotel between both the nearest tube stations:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...gdon-10898.pdf

That's very helpful to know about the location of the Crowne Plaza vs the Holiday Inn Kings Cross. I'd rather be closer to a nicer area like Bloomsbury.

PatrickLondon - do you think the Holiday Inn King Cross is a better option than my original Holiday Inn Express London City?

Shoreditch is a great location to stay, nice and lively and not full of tourists....

It depends what you're looking for, in terms of ease of access to what you want to visit, and atmosphere/services in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. Do you plan on shopping till you drop and then taking everything back to the hotel before you go out again, or will you treating your time like a commute to follow a long day's itinerary round the regular sights, ending up with a posh meal in a destination restaurant? Not that either of those HIs is particularly suitable for either of those approaches, but it's not easy to advise without knowing your style of travel and expectations.