I have stayed in all kinds of hotels and living conditions. From the most basic and terrible – including one where I had to sleep on my coat to avoid touching the grim sheets – to the most luxurious.
Regardless of where I end up and why, one thing is for certain: I love a bargain and will always do my best to find the best offer possible when it comes to an overnight stay.
Britannia is a UK chain of hotels that has consistently been voted the worst by consumer rights publication Which? – and in October was given the terrible title for the eleventh year in a row.
The chain has also hit the headlines for housing asylum seekers when there is no suitable alternative accommodation.
But when it comes to Britannia hotels I’m not a newbie. So staying at Canary Wharf’s International Hotel – which was bought by the chain way back in 1988 before opening in June 1992 – it was not my first rodeo.
I’d stayed in the Britannia in Manchester and also in Scarborough – and I have to say, although run down both stays were pretty good for the price.
As my trip to London was for work, my focus was on keeping costs down.
Usually I stay at a Travellodge that is pretty smart – with prices ranging from just £58 a night. But it’s just too far from the office and Uber costs were adding to my overall cost.
So when I spotted the hotel that was a stone’s throw away from the office I booked it immediately – £99 for the night, although you can currently book a room from £59 a night. Be warned – some of the cheaper rooms are without windows…
Given the chain’s dodgy rep I definitely tried to temper my expectations. From the moment I entered the hotel’s lobby, however, I was stunned. Huge chandeliers, smart lobby and helpful staff.
The room itself was fine. Yes it was extremely dated, but more importantly it was clean – apart from the very mucky windows outside. Given its location above water that could be forgiven.
The bed was comfy, the sheets brilliant white and there was tea and coffee and all of the things that you’d expect from a hotel stay. Who knew that Brittannia had its own toiletries? A nice bonus. There were also a couple of Valentine’s choccies on offer. It’s the little things.
And then it got hot. Very, very hot. In fact it was so hot that I was wondering if I wouldn’t just pass out and die in a Brittania tomb.
It was late but I pulled on suitable attire and hotfooted to reception to ask for help. Thankfully the staff couldn’t have been more attentive – and immediately sent up a fan which pretty much did the trick.
As I was eating out, I didn’t have any reason to give the food a try – but other guests seemed happy with what they’d ordered and the two hotel bars looked very smart.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely: but with one huge caveat. This is definitely not the hotel to go to if you’re looking to impress or fancy some luxury.
However, if you’re after a cheap and cheerful stay in the capital then this could be the one for you.