Buckle Street Studios by Locke, Aldgate

After sleeping in our room at Buckle Street Studios during our January stay, we found bites across several parts of our bodies. We mentioned it when checking out and were told the room would be inspected. Since then, we've had very little communication from the hotel, which was disappointing after such a stressful situation. It was especially worrying once we got home and had to take precautionary measures. The experience affected our comfort and peace of mind considerably. I hope the hotel investigates reports like this thoroughly and communicates better when they arise.

The lobby at Buckle Street Studios by Locke is stylish and welcoming, and the location is handy for getting around London. It was quiet at night too, so sleeping wasn't a problem. But the room was much smaller than I expected from the photos, barely leaving space to move around the bed. The bed sat very low, and the duvet kept slipping out of the sheets, which made things feel unfinished. There were also some careless details: an empty shower gel bottle, just one towel for two people, and old Valentine's decorations left by previous guests. The reception staff didn't seem very interested in welcoming us, and the heating wouldn't go above 20.5°C, so the room felt cooler than I expected. The location and lobby were nice, but the room and attention to detail fell short. I wouldn't be in a hurry to return.

I've stayed at Locke in Manchester lots of times and the staff there are friendly and accommodating, with good facilities. This hotel left me feeling ripped off, and now I'm questioning whether I want to stay at the other locations I usually like. The room was filthy, with dust and hair in most corners, plus hair grips on the bathroom counter and floor. It didn't look as if anyone had properly checked it. We had one towel for two people and no hand soap. When we asked for replacements, we were told we'd have to collect them after going out, and they couldn't be brought to the room while we were away. Later, in the pouring rain, they gave us a towel and told us to go across the road to the other building for soap. We were already soaked from being out all day, so I refused. Eventually the person at the desk went to fetch it. The reception staff were rude and seemed unconcerned about the missing items. When we arrived, the desk person was more interested in their phone than checking us in. I'd already checked in online, but they hadn't looked and made me do the whole process again. I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

The corner suite was a great choice, central but quiet, and the street itself was peaceful despite being a minute from Aldgate East station. The room was a typical city size, not roomy but enough, with a small kitchenette that had the basics. The bed was soft and the pillows were great. The bathroom had a separate shower and toilet, good pressure, two towels, shampoo and body wash. The conditioner didn't work, and there was no daily cleaning or extra amenities. Since the window wouldn't open, ventilation depended on AC, which kept fluctuating. Reception was staffed around the clock and responded quickly. A few lamp bulbs were missing when we checked in, but they fixed that fast. Comfortable and convenient overall.