Leonardo Hotel Aldgate - formerly Hotel Saint

We wanted to leave our bags somewhere secure after checkout while we walked around the city, and the staff were happy to store them for us. They’d also been super friendly when checking us in. We were visiting for a friend’s wedding and stayed for the weekend, and the room had everything we needed, including a hair dryer, lots of mirrors, an ironing board and bathrobes. The room and large bathroom were very clean, there were plenty of towels, and the shower had amazing water pressure. The bed was probably the most comfortable we’ve ever slept in, and the Wi-Fi was great. I worked easily and took video calls on Friday. A great experience, and I’d stay again without hesitation.

The restaurant was the only highlight. It was amazing, though completely separate from the hotel. The staff were polite and helpful, but that didn’t make up for what happened. When I emailed to complain afterwards, the property said I hadn’t told anyone about the problems, even though I had. Awful experience all around. There was a strong cannabis smell in the room, and questionable stains on the windows when we arrived. I shouldn’t have to embarrass myself by asking reception to clean suspicious stains off the glass. On the first night, the fire alarm woke us at 2am three times. I understand it may have been caused by someone staying in another room rather than the hotel, but it still made a bad stay worse. In the morning, the tap sputtered dark brown water. My partner and I felt like packing up and going home. It eventually ran clear, but I didn’t feel comfortable using the basin and had to brush my teeth with bottled water. The shower fitting was loose from the ceiling and trickled water from the side. That wasn’t the end of the world, but it added to the problems and wasn’t what I expected for the price. I’d originally wanted to book one night for Valentine’s Day with my partner, but that wasn’t possible. I suppose it was a way to bring in more money at a busy time, though I accepted that business is business. It changed our plans and meant spending more because I thought the hotel would be worth it. Instead, what was meant to be a relaxing, romantic getaway left us not wanting to spend any time in the room. It was the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had, and I travel every month for work.

Breakfast was a highlight, especially thanks to Sandeep, who made us feel so well looked after. When we asked about smoking in the outdoor area, he came with us and brought our coffee outside so we could enjoy it comfortably. His warmth and professionalism stood out, and he could easily work in any 5-star hotel. We had a perfect stay in London. We’d forgotten our slippers, but staff brought a fresh pair to our room without hesitation. The service was wonderful from start to finish. Highly recommended!

It’s right by the metro, and there’s a gym with weights and machines for a proper workout. Our room was quiet and very clean, and the bed was comfortable. The staff were super nice. We had a great stay, and I’d definitely recommend it.