You don’t have to be a millennial to love one of London’s newer millennial hang-outs, the Moxy London Excel.
Okay, so it’s not in the center of London’s tourism zone. That is a big negative for those wanting to do the regular Tower of London, Big Ben and changing of the guards run. The Dockside Light Rail (DLR) is about a five-minute walk from the hotel’s front door, but the trek to Buckingham Palace will take you about 45-55 minutes.
Where Is It?
Moxy Excel London is in the city’s Docklands area. So, what’s nearby? The ExCeL exhibitions and international convention center! The hotel is less than a mile from London City Airport. The O2 Arena is less two miles away, and Greenwich is less than three. But enough about location!
The hotel would not have been our first choice since central London was our goal for this excursion, but it was part of a Eurostar package we booked.
We were pleasantly surprised that a three-star hotel could be so surprisingly good. The quirky style, fun graphics and cozy, clubby feel made it welcoming. I’d compare it to the Radisson RED brand in tone. Reasonably priced, trendy and good value for money.
Not Your Father’s Check-In
Enter the hotel under a magenta, cursive Moxy logo. The front door is flanked by over-sized magenta pots with greenery. Bold colors continue inside. Magenta hanging pendant lamps light up the check-in area at the front part of the hotel bar. No stuffy, traditional check-in desk here!
From the moment we checked in and received our complimentary, tropical welcome beverages, we experienced a warmth that made us feel at home.
Welcome to Moxy: Bar and Check-In
While waiting for our room keys, we were greeted with complimentary, tropical beverages as we stood in front of a blackboard with magnetic letters in primary colors. Hmmm…so tempting to leave a silly message for friends.
The hotel bar area, which doubles as the breakfast area for your complimentary buffet breakfast each morning, had fun touches, including signs that made us laugh. The hotel lobby is touted as living rooms with a bartender. Yep, that’s pretty accurate. Comfy seating and a cool vibe says, “Have fun.”
Across the way was a foosball table, larger community tables and colorful Moxy graffiti that screamed youthful vibrance.
Breakfast Included
Get ready for your day in London with a good continental breakfast. The complimentary breakfast buffet included yogurts, cold meats and cheese, cereals, juices, fruits and pastries. There was also a “grab and go” area where you could purchase additional items. In fact, the hotel offers 24/7 grab-and-go self-service dining.
Inside the Box
Designers thought outside the box when it came to the hallways and guest rooms. We loved the bold, London-themed wall graphics and provocative floor signage. The whimsy continued in the small gym with a magenta punching bag. Moxy is definitely not a black and white experience.
Our twin-bedded room was spotless and comfortable. Quirky marketing signs made us giggle, like the scantily-clad “hunk” who told the cleaning staff “Don’t Disturb.” Although small, the room was surprisingly quiet, given that the hotel is just across the road from London City Airport.
Tickled Pink
Nice toiletries — in large, signature magenta bottles, of course — and a magenta hair dryer were nice touches, but the strong “power shower” gave the bathroom high marks. You could say we were tickled pink — or magenta.
On the negative side was the lack of storage space. While the hotel says their research indicated most people don’t use their closets, we like them. Still, our stay was short so we didn’t have piles of clothes to hang on the wall pegs.
Another thumbs down was for the lack of room service, but it is, after all, a three-star hotel. Room service is not a standard.
Thumbs Up for Technology
Technology was a big plus. There’s a large smart TV and super fast, free Internet. Add to that USB ports and easy access for streaming your favorite movies.
Moxy London Excel – 1014 Dockside Rd, London E16 2FQ – is one of Marriott’s lifestyle brands, and Marriott Rewards membership gets you extra perks like a complimentary snack or beverage.
Our recommendation: Give it a try, especially if you are planning to visit ExCeL or Greenwich.
