Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill by IHG

What made us want to return was the reception service, especially Melany. She greeted us so kindly and warmly, and shared great tips for the city and nearby areas. Our room was clean, comfortable, and well organized, with thoughtful touches like complimentary water and a welcome biscuit. It was quiet too, and the blackout curtains helped us sleep really well. We had an excellent stay.

I slept less easily than I would have liked because the soundproofing wasn't great, and I could hear people walking and moving around at night. There also wasn't a toothbrush in the room. Apart from those couple of things, it was a pleasant, comfortable stay. The hotel was clean and well maintained, and its convenient location made it easy to get to different places. I was happy with my choice.

The location was a strong point, with public transport, restaurants, and things to do nearby. Check-in went well and the service was good. Our room overall was nice, with attractive furnishings and lots of windows, though as a Diamond member I expected a better upgrade than a minibar that was only restocked for a fee. We had the Tower Bridge view suite, but the bridge wasn't really visible unless about a dozen other high-rise buildings disappeared. Inside, a closet handle was bent from being hit by the other sliding door, and a drawer in the entertainment screen was broken. The couch's upright sides looked nice but weren't comfortable for lounging. Tiny LED lights in the bathroom made it feel like a dungeon.

The room had visible rust and general wear, which made me question the cleanliness and maintenance. In the morning I asked the front desk for a bottle of water and was told I'd have to wait until my room was serviced. At this price, that was disappointing. The night staff were dismissive. When I got back around 11, they didn't open the door and immediately asked for my room card. That felt unnecessary at a hotel in London's business district, where late arrivals should be expected. The lobby is extremely small too. This was one of the worst so-called four-star hotels I've stayed at in the city. The experience fell well below that standard, and I would have been better off at the DoubleTree.