I note that Rick does not recommend hotels in this area.
Reviews for the hotel I'm investigating suggest the location is good since a Tube stop is 1 minute's walk away.
Any insight as to why he's not a fan? Does it mean we'd be spending too much time transporting ourselves to sites and what not?
Where exactly in the East End? shoreditch? Bethal Green? Canary Wharf?
Been going to and staying in London since the 70’s.
And please remember even though this is the RS Travel forum not all of us stay in any of his recommendations hotels.
Near the Aldgate Underground Station - should be close to the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
Ethnically diverse London neighborhood.
25-30 minutes via the Tube to Westminster and Parliament Square.
10 minute walk to Tower of London.
Easy stroll to Spitalfields and Brick Lane.
I hope to be staying in that neighborhood on my next London sojourn.
I have no idea why Rick doesn’t mention this, other than he has his own favorite areas, near Victoria Station, South Kensington, etc. with more of a “traditional” feel in the architecture.
But the City of London ( near the river) and Southwark areas are our favorite place stay.
Right near the Tower Hill Tube station ( not Aldgate) you will find a CitizenM ( just across the road), and nearby a Four Seasonsa Novotel, and a Leonardo Royal Hotel ( used to be a Jury’s). But maybe you would like an Aparthotel—-a hotel, with reception desk and other hotel amenities, and serviced apartments instead of just hotel bedrooms.
The Marlin group has a nice one near Aldgate East station:
https://www.marlin.com/locations/serviced-apartments-tower-bridge
If you’re talking about hotels in the City which is the financial district then nobody lives there so at the weekend it will be very quiet. It’s convenient for a lot of things but maybe a bit soulless. I don’t know Aldgate but Shoreditch and Brick Lane, Spitalfields are very vibrant areas with lots of young trendy types. The area used to be quite rough but it’s not now although it certainly is very different to Kensington. Interesting rather than pretty. I personally don’t like Kensington. It’s a very wealthy, international area so although it’s residential it hardly gives an idea of how normal people live.
"Reviews for the hotel I'm investigating suggest the location is good since a Tube stop is 1 minute's walk away."
Want to share the name of the hotel?
I read Rick's websites but I never take his suggestions on hotels as I believe there are better options. If you give the name of the hotel, I'm sure one of the members here can tell you about it or the neighborhood.
==>"...the City which is the financial district then nobody lives there so at the weekend it will be very quiet. It’s convenient for a lot of things but maybe a bit soulless."<==
I don't know about soulless, but for myself this is one of the reason that the City/Saint Paul's is my favorite part of London. It holds a lot of the history I'm interested in, easy walk to Southwark, lively during the day and fairly quiet and peaceful in the evenings and at night. It was fun to watch young skaters shredding between the Cathedral and Thames.
Canopy by Hilton London City - it's new (about 1 year old).
I'm choosing between this and the Lime Tree (recommended by Rick) in Belgravia.
Although it's big, modern and "American", I'm getting old and have more trouble sleeping. The Canopy has air conditioning, black out curtains, and comfortable beds. Since this is a significant investment, I'm keen to have a good night's sleep so I can have the energy to be a tourist.
My husband and I are walkers - we walk everywhere and will eschew public transport for long walks in international cities. I'm interested to know if the area is walkable with interesting places for dinner.
Just looked up the Canopy by Hilton and I love that location. A couple years ago, I stayed near there (closer to the Tower), and walked all over. If you go up Commercial Street, you’ll find a lot of restaurants and shops. The Ten Bells pub was a favorite of mine. There’s a Poppies Fish and Chips in that area which is pretty good too. I think you’ll enjoy it!
If good reviews on TripAdvisor Go with the Canopy.
Easy stroll to see a portion of the historic London wall. A bit longer walk to the Tower of London.
Only 10 minutes to Leadenhall Market
15 minutes from Aldgate on the Central Line to Westminster and Parliament Square.
Maybe it just reflects not keeping up with developments in London out east over the last decade or so. Plenty of the chains have hotels around Aldgate/Whitechapel/Hoxton area these days and tend to be better than many in the west which can be old and tired.
Thank you, everyone - for your comments.
I think this just made my decision harder!
(Although, air conditioning may be the deal-breaker...pending on the weather report for late June.)
