Ben Bristow
November 30, 2025
Teething troubles is the theme of this stay. Staff were lovely and friendly. This hotel used to be the Hilton Doubletree so the rooms are Hilton Doubletree standard, but it's just been taken over by AO Hostels.
First room was massive with very comfortable bed, but aircon/heating unit was faulty so room was cold. Complained and was given rusty old electric space heater with Hilton branding still on it from last electrician check. Power socket on desk was loose and didn't have a good connection. Couple hours later took the plug out and prongs were very hot and smell of burnt plastic. Shower also took a long time to get to a decent temperature, boiler obviously needed warming up.
Complained and they said they'd send out an engineer, don't want to mess with electrics. No engineer came but heater was replaced with new one. Asked for a new room and was moved.
New room a big improvement. Working heating. Shower nice and hot.
It's only just reopened and was a quick turnaround from the previous owners. Last night posters to say there's a drone team due to survey the hotel so looks like they're looking into issues. Lots of evidence of work being done in the hotel. The hotel has clearly has seen wear and tear, evident all over.
Decent WiFi.
Free ferry shuttle to the hotel which is a fun novelty, operated by Thames Clippers.
Mixed bag this stay, but I hope AO Hostels pull the strings and get the hotel into a better standard, it needs doing but I'd definitely stay again. It'd make a great reasonably priced hotel in a great location.
