Limehouse Library Hotel

The hotel is gorgeous, quirky and full of character, with old books and something interesting around every corner. The rooftop garden was amazing. We had tea and cake in the lounge, and the cheesecake was the best I’ve ever tasted, even though I make a pretty good one myself. Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived, but we checked in and they took our bag so we could explore an unfamiliar part of London. When we returned later, the room was small but just right for one night. We left our bag again after checkout to spend most of the day sightseeing, then came back for afternoon tea. The sandwiches were light and tasty, and the scones and cakes were delicious. They gave us a box and bag to take home what we couldn’t finish. The buffet breakfast the next morning was fantastic with lots of choice, and my husband says the halva was the best he’s had. Service throughout the two days was wonderful. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again if I’m in that part of London.

The room had a huge rain stain on the ceiling and poor ventilation. It was hard to get the heating on, and the humidity would get really high whenever we came back. The hotel is beautifully decorated, though, and the staff were lovely, well trained and respectful. The food was delicious. Breakfast had typical Turkish and Balkan dishes, white and sourdough bread, lots of croissants, plain and seeded bagels, fruit such as apples, oranges and grapes, and plenty of jams and spreads. The hot food, including eggs and bacon, was cooked well and kept fresh. They also had tea, coffee and very fresh natural orange juice. The dinner selection was quite good too, with lots of flavour and fine dining style plating. I appreciated the choice of alcoholic and 0% alcohol drinks. I’d recommend it. Our stay gets a 7.8/10.

We chose this hotel because it was cheaper, but we hadn’t understood London transit before our stay. The location meant we spent at least 2-3 hours a day travelling, often with 1-2 transfers. For us it wasn’t central enough, and next time we’d rather pay more for somewhere closer in. If it were nearer town, I think we’d have enjoyed the stay more. The hotel was kitschy, clean and well maintained, and we stayed just under a week. The AC blew straight at our faces, which made sleeping a bit hard, and there were noises all night, like creaks, bangs and whistling. Not the most restful sleep, but not the worst either. We couldn’t work out the TV, though we didn’t ask staff about it. After spending so much time and money on transit, the savings on the room didn’t seem worth it.

The hotel’s design stands out, from the stylish interiors to the thoughtful shared spaces. Be sure to see the first-floor library, the second-floor office area, and the lovely terrace garden. It’s a rare London find, real luxury at an affordable price. The rooms are cosy, spacious, spotless and beautifully decorated. They’re well equipped with premium shampoo, body wash and moisturiser, toothbrush sets, cotton buds, shaving kits, soft towels and comfortable robes. There are room safes, and the ventilation is excellent. Limehouse DLR is just a few steps away, giving quick access to Bank, Canary Wharf and the rest of the city. The restaurant serves exceptional food, with delicious breakfasts and plenty of choices made with fresh, healthy, high-quality ingredients. A hidden gem.