Travelodge London Excel Hotel

My requirements are pretty basic, but this was a poor stay. The rooms felt damp and smelled, and the cleaning wasn't good. Both the towels and sheets were stained. With the airport so close, the sound insulation also wasn't nearly good enough. There's no bag storage, which is bizarre, so you have to pay for early or late check-in or checkout. I haven't stayed in a hotel that charged for WiFi in about 15 years.

The breakfast is a reasonable £12.50 per person, with plenty to choose from, including cereal, scrambled eggs, sausages, and other usual buffet items. For central London's prices, I thought the hotel offered decent value. Beds were comfortable, bathrooms clean, and staff friendly, though there were a few stains on the carpet and hairs in some spots. It was a pleasant stay with no major problems, and it felt about right for a three-star hotel. Some people mention planes from London City Airport, but they stop at around 10pm and start again around 9am, so I slept well.

CJ was always smiling when she welcomed us, and she went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our stay. Her customer service was 10/10, and she was so accommodating. Thanks for the peppermint tea :)

The beds were clean and the shower was warm, but those were about the only bright spots. Staff were courteous and friendly, though they seemed constrained by strict management rules. Unless management sorts out the maintenance and old fee setup, I'd look elsewhere. The carpets were stained and disgusting. When I mentioned it to management, they said they already knew, which makes it all the more frustrating that nothing had been done. Our toilet kept clogging, and reception couldn't find any tools, not even a plunger, when I asked for help so I could fix it myself. The so-called room top-up just means emptying the bin and changing towels. They don't actually clean the room unless you're staying for a week. They even left rubbish bags beside the bin because they weren't technically inside it. This is sold as a budget hotel, but prices jump during local conventions while the budget policies and minimal service stay the same. They charge for every little thing. I haven't paid for Wi-Fi in years. An early check-in by a couple of hours costs extra, yet there's no laundry or luggage storage if your room isn't ready.