Hyatt Place London City East

The rooms were clean and spacious, and I'd stay here again next time I'm in London. It's not especially close to the main tourist spots, but the tube is nearby and there are lots of restaurants and pubs around. The rooftop bar was a highlight. Vincent, our bartender, was kind, fun to chat with, and gave us great drink recommendations.

Once the check-in problems were out of the way, everything was very good. The room I'd been assigned was a twin even though I'd booked a double, after Hyatt had trouble recognising payment from my booking agency, which took about 15 minutes to partly sort out. They then described it as a complimentary upgrade, though it was actually the room grade I'd booked and paid for. The hotel is stylish and comfortable, with a nice breakfast. It's well placed for Aldgate and Whitechapel underground stations, and buses too if that's your preference. The location feels a little more Whitechapel than Aldgate, but town is still close. A good base.

The staff made me feel welcome as soon as I walked in, and check-in and checkout were quick and straightforward. You can use the self-service tablets at the entrance, though the concierge team are friendly and helpful if needed. It's a self-service luggage hotel. The lobby and lounge are compact but tidy, with plenty of seating for a boutique-sized place. I found it very good value for the quality. It's on the edge of the CBD rather than the high street, but offices are an easy 15-minute walk, Liverpool Street Station is an 18-minute walk, and the nearest subway station is three minutes away. The area is lively and full of culture, with good local cafes and food near Whitechapel Street. There's a Starbucks next door and supermarkets nearby, from Tesco to a macro mart. My accessibility room was very large, though its shape was a little odd. The space would be comfortable and good value for a family. It was reasonably quiet despite facing the road, with little street noise. I could hear the hallway quite loudly and some noise from other rooms, but it was acceptable. Breakfast is a small but reasonable buffet, and there's also an on-site restaurant and cafe, which is convenient. The buffet can get very busy at peak times, so there may be a short wait, but staff managed the crowd and seated people efficiently. The gym is on the small side, with clean, high-quality equipment in good condition, plus water and towels. For the price, location, and standard, it's a comfortable, practical stay on the edge of the city. Highly recommended.

The place was clean and nice, and Nishant was exceptional when I dealt with him at the Hyatt. He went out of his way to help with our requests and make the stay as good as possible. I'd love to come back.