Docklands Lodge London

The staff were fine, but the layout and facilities need major improvement. My council booked me in for an emergency weekend stay with my three children, aged 1, 2 and 17. We had adjoining rooms, which seemed like a good setup, but they were baking hot. One had a window and the other just a fan, which wasn't enough for me as an asthmatic. There was no kettle, and reception said they didn't have one for the room. I needed one to prepare my one-year-old's bottle. There was no lift, so getting the children up two flights of stairs was difficult. The shared toilets and bathroom also weren't workable for us, since I needed to stay close to the children and couldn't leave them in the rooms to go along the corridor. We were supposed to stay three nights, but I couldn't manage it or feel comfortable there.

The room felt cramped and gloomy, with dirty curtains, an uncomfortable bed and pillows, and no wardrobe, table or nightstand, just the bed, pillows and blanket. The supposed double room was shockingly small. Shared shower and toilet facilities hadn't been clearly mentioned beforehand, which made the stay more uncomfortable. There was no lift, so I had to carry heavy luggage to the second floor despite my back and neck problems, and nobody offered help. The lobby and reception smelled unpleasantly of cooking. The front desk staff were polite and respectful, which I appreciated, but the experience was still very disappointing. The online photos were misleading, and the pictures I took of my room show a very different story. The wall colours and interior made the hotel feel depressing. It didn't come close to what was promised, and I left very dissatisfied.

The room was small, but very clean and tidy, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was okay, though the only coffee was poor quality instant, so fresh coffee would be welcome. Some free water in the room would also go a long way. I understand the shared bathroom arrangement, but I wouldn't choose it again.

The bathroom was the one good part, and from other reviews I guess we were lucky to get a window. The place felt grubby and generally unclean when we arrived, and the photos definitely gave the wrong impression. Staff were awkward and unprofessional, and didn't seem to know what they were doing. There was no air conditioning, and our fan was broken, though I suppose that's better than nothing. It felt like a hostel, with people walking around barefoot and hotel staff living in the facilities. My partner and I stayed at the Dockland lodge recently expecting a high standard hotel. I wouldn't recommend it to a rat. Just don't stay here, you'll be disgusted.