Crowne Plaza London Docklands, London

The Cranley Report®: Crowne Plaza London Docklands

Crowne Plaza London Docklands, London

Hotel Address

Royal Victoria Dock
Western Gateway
London E16 1AL
England

Cranley Rating

Crowne Plaza London Docklands

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Hotel Summary

Category

Hotel

Hotel Opened	2003
Refurbishment	The Terra Restaurant is to be refurbished in Summer 2008 and an outdoor area is also planned. The sliding doors at the front of the hotel are to be replaced with a revolving door in Summer 2008.

Cranley Summary

Crowne Plaza London Docklands, is a very modern six storey hotel located next to the ExCel Exhibition Centre, where it overlooks the Royal Victoria Dock, with a view towards The O2 across the River Thames and to Canary Wharf. Royal Victoria DLR station is close by and London City airport is just a few minutes drive away. Central London is easily reached by road or by public transport. The hotel has 195 comfortable guest rooms and 15 suites, all of which have internet access. The hotel's Terra Restaurant, which offers mostly British cuisine with a Mediterranean flavour, is situated on the ground floor. The Isle Bar and lounge adjoins the restaurant, and has a small terraced area outside, which overlooks the Dock. Business needs are well catered for, with the whole of the 1st floor given over to a business centre and nine meeting rooms. Leisure facilities are provided by The Quad Club Health & Fitness, which is situated on the ground floor and offers guests a fully equipped gym, a heated swimming pool, massage treatment rooms and other facilities. The hotel has its own car park at the rear, with parking for 75 cars.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Crowne Plaza London Docklands is situated on one of the main roads leading to the ExCel Exhibition Centre and is just a few minutes walk from the entrance. It has the Royal Victoria Dock opposite and a good view towards The O2 at Greenwich and Canary Wharf beyond. The area immediately around the hotel is residential, with a number of new apartment buildings. There are just a few shops within easy walking distance, including a convenience store and dry cleaners. There is also a Caribbean restaurant opposite the hotel. The shopping centres at Canary Wharf and Beckton are just a few minutes drive or can easily be reached on the DLR. London City Airport is just 3 kilometres away.

Airports
Distance	3 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi transfers available. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle service to the airport at 17:30 on Fridays.

Cities and Sights
Distance	6 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi transfers available

Layout Description

The hotel is situated on Western Gateway, the main road to the ExCel Exhibition Centre. There is parking at the rear of the hotel, but otherwise no grounds, just the hotel itself. It is a rectangular building on six floors, with full length windows on each floor at the front of the hotel. The ground floor is occupied by the Isle Bar, which is on the left when facing the hotel, whilst the hotel entrance and the lobby area are on the right hand side. This leads towards the lifts and the Quad Club Health & Fitness. The Terra Restaurant is also on the ground floor through the Isle Bar lounge and the hotel's meeting and conference rooms are all on the 1st floor.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English and numerous other languages are spoken
Payment Methods	All major international credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange	Open 24 Hours All major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis can be arranged on request
Tours Arranged	The Concierge desk will arrange local sightseeing tours for guests by bus and rail, as well as river cruises and walking tours. London sightseeing tours include Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, London Eye, British Museum, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Greenwich.

Guest Relations	Full Services
Concierge Services	Full Services
Medical Facilities	A doctor can be called on request. Charges will apply.
Parking	The hotel has 75 outdoor parking spaces at the rear. Charges apply (discounted rates for residents.)

Cranley Comment

Entrance to the hotel is through two sets of sliding glass doors into a white tiled lobby area, which is part covered with a bright red and orange patterned carpet. Opposite the entrance are four red leather armchairs, whilst the Front Desk is ahead and to the right, immediately past the Concierge Desk. The tiles and areas of brightly patterned carpet, extend throughout the lobby area, which has white painted walls, with a number of abstract pictures hanging on them, in colours designed to match the carpet. Beyond the Front Desk are the two lifts, the exit to the car park and the entrance to the Quad Club Health & Fitness. The Isle Bar is on the left immediately after entering the hotel and there are stairs to the 1st floor meeting room from the lobby

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

There is a small display cabinet in the lobby, but the hotel does not have any shops. In the immediate area around the hotel, there is a small convenience store selling every day essential items. There is also a dry cleaner's and a Caribbean restaurant. For all other purchases, guests would need to visit Canary Wharf, which is just 5 minutes drive away, or 2 stops on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in one direction. In the opposite direction, 7 stops on the DLR will take guests to Beckton. Both of these centres provide a wealth of shopping opportunities.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	6
Total Rooms	210
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	105
Total Staff	95
Staff per Room	0.5

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability to 18:00 at an additional charge. On Sundays, guests may stay until 15:00 for a nominal charge.
Smoking Rooms	42 in total, which are spread throughout the hotel in all categories but on separate floors.
Room Service	Full Menu: 07:00 to 23:00 Sandwiches and other snacks available: 23:00 to 07:00
Laundry Service	A dry cleaning and laundry service is available from Mon to Sat, excluding Bank Hols. Items handed in by 08:45 will be returned by 19:00 the same day.
Unique Features	Complimentary toothbrush, toothpaste, razor and other items available at the Front Desk. Complimentary daily newspapers are available in the lobby.

Club or Executive Facilities

None at present, although regular guests earn points towards the Priority Club Rewards Scheme, since the hotel is part of the InterContinenetal Hotels Group (IHG).

Cranley Comment

All 156 Standard and Superior bedrooms are identical in size and décor, differing only in terms of their bed configuration and external views. Otherwise, all rooms are the same and the majority have either a queen size bed or two twin beds. The rooms are brightly decorated but sophisticated, with décor and furnishings that are predominantly red and orange. There is wooden furniture throughout, whilst carpets in corridors and bedrooms are red patterned and all walls are painted white. The 39 King Superior rooms have a slightly different layout, with a separate desk and their olive green décor and furnishings match the 15 suites. All rooms and suites have a view over the Royal Victoria Dock, over the courtyard behind the hotel or towards the city. With the 1st floor being occupied by the meeting and function rooms, all guest rooms are situated on floors 2 to 6 inclusive.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard Queen	71	19 Courtyard 47 Dock 5 City	Air conditioning High speed Internet connection Flat screen satellite television, in-house movies and AM / FM radio Direct dial telephone Modem point Tea and coffee making facilities Hairdryer Iron and ironing board Minibar En suite facilities with full-size bath and power shower Bathrobe Safe in some rooms	2 Adults	22

Cranley Comment

Standard Queen rooms are located on all floors. All bedrooms have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. The bathroom and wardrobes which feature a full length mirror are on either side, immediately upon entering the room. Beyond is the queen size bed and an armchair with footrest and a small table. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly in shades of red and orange, with mostly white painted walls giving a balance to the room. There is a writing desk / dressing table, with broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. Facilities include TV with optional games console at an extra charge, minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. The bath has a power shower over it and all bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard Twin	76	39 Courtyard 20 Dock 17 City	As for Standard Queen	2 Adults	22

Cranley Comment

Standard Twin rooms are located on all floors. All bedrooms have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. The bathroom and wardrobes which feature a full length mirror are on either side, immediately upon entering the room. Beyond are double sized twin beds and an armchair with footrest and a small table. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly in shades of red and orange, with mostly white painted walls giving a balance to the room. There is a writing desk / dressing table, with broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. Facilities include TV with optional games console at an extra charge, minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. The bath has a power shower over it and all bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard Queen with Sofa bed	9	Courtyard	As for Standard Queen, with the added benefit of: Sofa bed which sleeps 2 children	2 Adults and 2 children under 12	22

Cranley Comment

Standard Queen with Sofa bed rooms are located on all floors. All bedrooms have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. The bathroom and wardrobes which feature a full length mirror are on either side, immediately upon entering the room. Beyond is the queen size bed and a sofa that converts into a double bed, suitable for two small children. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly in shades of red and orange, with mostly white painted walls giving a balance to the room. There is a writing desk / dressing table, with broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. Facilities include TV with optional games console at an extra charge, minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. The bath has a power shower over it and all bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
King Superior	39	18 Courtyard 13 Dock 8 City	As for Standard Queen, with the added benefit of: King size bed	2 Adults	22

Cranley Comment

King Superior rooms are located on all floors. All bedrooms have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. The bathroom and wardrobes which feature a full length mirror are on either side, immediately upon entering the room. Beyond is the king size bed and an armchair with footrest and a small table. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly olive green, with mostly white painted walls giving a balance to the room. There is a separate writing desk with broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. Facilities include TV with optional games console at an extra charge, minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. The bath has a power shower over it and all bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
King Junior Suite	10	5 Dock 5 City	As for Standard Queen with the added benefit of: Additional space American King size bed French windows opening onto a private balcony – some suites have views over Royal Victoria Dock & Canary Wharf Luxury bathroom with bath, separate walk-in shower and 'The White Company' toiletries Bathroom scales and slippers	2 Adults	28

Cranley Comment

The two King Junior Suites on each of the five guest floors, are about 30% larger than the standard rooms and all of them have a small balcony. They have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. The bathroom and wardrobes which feature a full length mirror are on either side, immediately upon entering the room. Beyond is the king size bed and an armchair with footrest and a small table. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly olive green, with mostly white painted walls giving a balance to the room. There is a separate writing desk with broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. Facilities include TV with optional games console at an extra charge, minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. It features a separate walk-in shower as well as a bath. All bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests, as well as bathroom scales and slippers.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
King Executive Suite	5	Docks + City	As for Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Additional space, including entrance hall Separate sitting room with dining table and lounge furniture Large flat screen TVs in bedroom and lounge	2 Adults	58

Cranley Comment

There is one King Executive Suite on each of the five guest floors and each is more than double the size of the KIng Junior Suite. All of them have a keycard entry system and low level door handles. There is a small entrance hall, with the bathroom almost immediately on the left and wardrobes which have a full length mirror, opposite. Beyond is the bedroom, which features an American king size bed and an armchair with footrest and a small table. The bedroom also has a large flat screen TV. The sophisticated décor and furnishings are predominantly olive green, with mostly white painted walls throughout the whole suite, which gives a balance to both rooms. There is a separate lounge and dining area that is accessed from the hall. The dining area has a wooden table and four chairs, adjacent to a writing desk, which has a broadband internet connection and a desk lamp. The lounge area contains a sofa and two comfortable chairs, with a low level coffee table. There is a second flat screen TV, which has an optional games console at an extra charge. There is also a minibar, hairdryer and iron / ironing board. The bathroom has a dark grey tiled floor and grey marble topped sink unit, with a mixture of grey and white tiled walls. It features a separate walk-in shower as well as a bath. All bathrooms provide towelling bathrobes for guests, as well as bathroom scales and slippers. These suites occupy a corner position in the hotel, affording guests an excellent view of the Royal Victoria Dock, The O2 and Canary Wharf.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Terra

Restaurant Type	Mediterranean
Restaurant Capacity	100 plus 40 for private dining in an adjoining room
Opening Times	Breakfast: 06:00 to 10:30 Mon to Fri 06:00 to 11:30 Sat/Sun & Bank Holidays Dinner: 17:30 to 22:30
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No Smoking Allowed
Children’s Facilities	Children's Menu High chairs available
Breakfast Options	Buffet

Cranley Comment

The Terra Restaurant is located on the ground floor at the side of the hotel and is accessed via the Isle Bar. A display cabinet and serving area that stretches the width of the restaurant, separates it from the bar area. It is a bright and airy restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows, which provide good natural light. It is decorated in warm red and orange colours, with a wooden floor that is part covered by carpet and it has wooden tables and padded wooden chairs. The menu selection is simple and features a range of mostly British dishes, with a hint of Mediterranean flavour. For children, ice creams come in themed cartoon cups. At the far end of the restaurant is a 40 seat private dining area.

Bars

Number of Bars

Isle Bar