Back
The Cranley Report®: Britannia International Hotel
Britannia International Hotel, London
Hotel Address
163 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SJ
England
Contact Details
Telephone: +44 207 712 0100
Fax: +44 207 712 0102
E-mail
Email hotel's reservation Desk
Cranley Rating

Brittania International Hotel: Click to magnify
Photo 1 of 25. Click arrows to view
Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Hotel Opened
 1992
Refurbishment Ongoing refurbishment programme, which includes the recent replacement of all bedroom door locks. All guest room corridors are currently being refurbished.
Cranley Summary
The 442 room Britannia International Hotel is one of the older hotels in Canary Wharf, but it occupies a good waterside position, close to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and underground stations. It is also well placed for London City airport, the ExCel Exhibition Centre and the O2 Arena at Greenwich. Central London is easily reached by public transport in 20 minutes. The hotel has an imposing entrance, which leads to a grand marble clad lobby area. A feature of the hotel is its numerous works of art, including pictures and statues, covering a variety of themes. An art deco influence is evident in many parts of the hotel. With 14 functions rooms, including a suite that can accommodate 500 people, the hotel is well equipped for conferences and banquets. There is a diverse range of accommodation from quite basic Standard rooms through to the impressive Penthouse Suite. Rooms on the upper floors have a number of advantages over those on the lower floors. Dining options are good, with three very different restaurants, ranging from a French restaurant offering fine dining; a carvery that includes an extensive buffet and a pizzeria. There are also two bars and a large sports bar that only opens for special events. There is a health club that includes a large gym and indoor pool and the hotel has on-site parking for 101 cars.
Location & Layout
Location Description
The Britannia International Hotel is located at Marsh Wall in Canary Wharf, with a riverside aspect, overlooking the old Jamaican Sugar Docks. The whole area has been redeveloped since the 1990's to include a considerable number of offices, apartments, shops, restaurants and bars, all within a few minutes walk. Both London city airport and the ExCel Exhibition Centre are a few minutes drive, whilst the O2 Arena at Greenwich is one stop on the underground from Canary Wharf. Central London is only 20 minutes away by public transport.
Airports
Distance
 8 km
Airport Transfers
 Taxi transfers available
Limousine transfers can be arranged at a charge
Cities and Sights
Distance
 9 km
City/Sight Transfers
 Taxi transfers available
Limousine transfers can be arranged at a charge
Layout Description
The hotel is best described as being almost boomerang shaped. One side of the hotel frontage overlooks the old Jamaican Sugar Docks and the other is on one of the main roads through the Docklands area. The hotel has both steps and a ramp to the front entrance, where there is a revolving glass door and glass doors at the side of it. The entrance lobby has the Front Desk and Concierge desk to the left and right respectively. Beyond the Front Desk is Crompton's Restaurant, while Friday's Nightclub is situated past the Concierge desk. Jenny's Carvery, The Overstuffed Pizzeria and the Conservatory are all on the ground floor towards the back of the hotel, where the stairs leading down to the gym and pool are also to be found. The Conference rooms occupy the entire first floor, with guest bedrooms situated on Floors 2 to 13 inclusive.
Lobby and Guest Relations
Open Hours
 24 Hours
Languages Spoken English and several other languages are spoken
Payment Methods All major international credit and debit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange None, but the banks of Canary Wharf are close by
Taxis Arranged Black cabs can be arranged on request. The hotel also uses licensed executive vehicles.
Tours Arranged The Concierge desk can arrange local and national sightseeing tours by bus and rail, as well as river cruises and walking tours. London sightseeing tours include, The Tower of London, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and The Houses of Parliament.
Guest Relations Standard services
Concierge Services
 Standard services
Medical Facilities The hotel has a nominated doctor, who is on call 24 hours a day. Payment for any treatment is made direct to the doctor. The hotel also advises guests to use the NHS Walk-in Centre, which is opposite the hotel entrance.
Parking Undercover parking is available at the hotel, with space for 101 cars. Charges are applicable.
Cranley Comment
Guests enter the hotel through a revolving door, into a large lobby area, with a black marble tiled floor that is part covered with a red patterned carpet. There is an ornate ceiling with a large chandelier hanging below. The Front Desk is off to the left and the Concierge Desk is on the immediate right. Opposite the entrance is some of the lounge seating area, which consists of black leather armchairs and continues towards the Conservatory Bar. Immediately past the Front Desk on the left is Crompton's restaurant and opposite the Front Desk is a passageway that leads to three of the guest lifts.
Shops & Amenities
Cranley Comment
There are no shops on site, but the shops, bars and restaurants of Canary Wharf are all easily accessible within a few minutes walk of the hotel.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 13
Total Rooms 442
Elevators 4 (3 of which serve Floors 1 to 12 only)
Rooms per Elevator 111
Total Staff 153
Staff per Room 0.3
Check-in Time 14:00
Check-out Time 12:00
Late Checkout Subject to availability at an additional charge
Smoking Rooms 55 in total, with 43 on 2nd Floor and 12 on 12th Floor
Room Service Continental Breakfast:
06:00 to 11:00
Full Menu:
12:00 to 23:00
Sandwich Selection:
24 Hours
Laundry Service Same day laundry and dry cleaning is available from Monday to Saturday, except Bank Holidays. Items handed to the Concierge by 08:50 will be returned by 17:00.
Unique Features Complimentary national daily newspapers are available in the Lobby for all guests.
Club or Executive Facilities
For Executive guests:
Separate Executive check-in between 16:30 and 19:30 Mon to Thu
Breakfast available in Crompton's Restaurant from 07:00 to 09:00 Mon to Fri
Cranley Comment
There are six different room types in the hotel, with just over half of them in the Standard category. The décor and facilities do not vary greatly between the Standard, Deluxe and Executive rooms, although the Executive rooms all have a jacuzzi bath. Standard rooms are generally smaller than the other two types and those on the lower floors do not benefit from as much natural light. The corridors throughout the hotel currently have dark wood, dark wallpaper and carpets but are currently being refurbished with lighter wallpaper. The Jacuzzi Premium rooms and Suites, together with the Penthouse, are all on the higher floors and offer good views of the surrounding area.
Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Standard 259

47 Canary Wharf
16 City skyline
129 Roadside
67 Water

Air conditioning / heating
TV
Wireless internet access
Tea/coffee making facilities
Hairdryer
Ironing board and iron (not all rooms)
Double or twin beds
2 easy chairs and table
Dressing table and chair
Bath with shower
WC
Bathroom scales

 2 Adults in Twins / Doubles; 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 1 child in Triples 22 - 31
Cranley Comment
Standard rooms are almost identical to Executive and Deluxe rooms in terms of their facilities and differ only really in terms of their size and their location in the hotel. A number of Standard rooms are on the lower floors, which do not benefit from as much natural light as the higher floors. All rooms have a keycard entry system and there are mirrored sliding door wardrobes and the bathroom on the left/right, immediately upon entry to the room. Most rooms have beige carpets and striped wallpaper, with a number of pictures on the walls. All rooms currently have sheets and blankets, with either green or pink bedspreads. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors, marble topped washbasin units and are tiled throughout. There is a mixture of twin bedded and double rooms and there are 35 rooms designated as triples. One room is made up as a Family four bedded room.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe 107

41 Canary Wharf
66 Water

As for Standard room, with the added benefit of:
Extra space
All Deluxe rooms have Ironing board and iron
Trouser press

 2 Adults 30 - 33
Cranley Comment
Deluxe rooms differ from Standard rooms only in terms of their larger size and their location in the hotel. Most of the Deluxe rooms are on higher floors, which benefit from more natural light than the lower floors. All rooms have a keycard entry system and there are mirrored sliding door wardrobes on one side, with the bathroom on the other, immediately upon entry into the room. Deluxe rooms have either striped or light patterned wallpaper, with beige carpets and green bedspreads or with red carpets and pink bedspreads. All rooms currently have sheets and blankets on the beds. There are several pictures on the walls in every room. Bathrooms have marble tiled floors, marble topped washbasin units and are tiled throughout. There is a mixture of twin and double bedded Deluxe rooms.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Executive 50

22 Canary Wharf
8 City skyline
16 Roadside
4 Water

As for the Deluxe room, with the added benefit of:
Jacuzzi bath
Separate free standing washbasin
Bidet

 2 Adults 27 - 29
Cranley Comment
Executive rooms differ from Deluxe rooms only in terms of their size, where they are slightly smaller and the bathroom, where they have a Jacuzzi bath and a free standing modern washbasin, as well as a bidet. All rooms have a keycard entry system and there are mirrored sliding door wardrobes on one side, with the bathroom on the other, immediately upon entry into the room. Executive rooms have either striped or light patterned wallpaper, with beige carpets and green bedspreads or red carpets and pink bedspreads. All rooms currently have sheets and blankets on the beds. There are several pictures on the walls in every room. There is a mixture of twin and double bedded Executive rooms.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Jacuzzi Premium 22

8 City skyline
8 Water
6 East London

As for the Executive room, with the added benefit of:
Extra space
Additional furniture, including black leather sofas and chairs
Some rooms with Four Poster beds
Half of the rooms are on an upper level, with an entrance hall and a spiral staircase

 2 Adults 33 - 40
Cranley Comment
There are two different types of Jacuzzi Premium room. Those on a single level, differ from Executive rooms only in terms of their size and the additional furniture they have. Some have four poster beds, but most are doubles. The Jacuzzi Premium rooms that are on two levels, have a small entrance hall and a spiral staircase leading up to the room itself. As with all types of room in the hotel, there is a keycard entry system and the décor is either striped or light patterned wallpaper, with beige carpets and green bedspreads or red carpets and pink bedspreads. All rooms currently have sheets and blankets on the beds. There are several pictures on the walls in every room. All of the Jacuzzi Premium rooms have a jacuzzi bath, with marble tiled floor and most have a free standing washbasin.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Jacuzzi Suite 3

2 Canary Wharf
1 City skyline

As for the Jacuzzi Premium room, with the added benefit of:
Extra space
Dining table and chairs
Small fridge

 2 Adults 50
Cranley Comment
The three Jacuzzi Suites are all situated on one level on the 13th Floor and offer guests panoramic views of the surrounding area, towards Canary Wharf and the city of London. The three suites are all different in design and layout, but each has a King size bed and an en suite bathroom with Jacuzzi bath. They are all equipped with dining tables for a minimum of four people and a mixture of black leather sofas and chairs, which vary by room. Two of the three suites have wallpaper, carpets and curtains that are predominently green, whilst the décor in the third suite is mostly reds and pink.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Penthouse 1

Canary Wharf and City skyline

As for the Jacuzzi Premium rooms (two level), with the added benefit of:
Separate 48 m2 lounge
Additional widescreen TV
Sound system
Private balcony
Additional lounge furniture

 2 Adults 70
Cranley Comment
The Penthouse is situated on 13th Floor, where there is entry into a small lobby area. A spiral staircase takes guests to a landing on 14th Floor, where there are separate doors leading to the lounge in one direction and the bedroom in the other. The lounge is approximately 48 square metres and has a balcony overlooking Canary Wharf and with a view towards the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome.) The lounge has a fridge, a dining table and four chairs in one area, then black leather sofas and chairs facing a widescreen TV. There is also a sound system with a CD player. The room décor is predominently green, with dark wood tables and other furniture. The bedroom has a double bed and is furnished along similar lines to the Jacuzzi Premium rooms. It has an excellent view towards the city of London. The bathroom has a jacuzzi bath with shower, wc and bidet and the washbasin is part of a black marble topped unit.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
 3
Restaurant Comments
The hotel offers guests three very different dining options, with Crompton's French restaurant, Jenny's Carvery and The Overstuffed Pizzeria. Crompton's is located off the main entrance lobby and provides fine dining in an intimate setting. Jenny's Carvery is the main restaurant for breakfast and dinner and serves an extensive buffet for both meals, as well as a carvery in the evening. The Overstuffed Pizzeria is an Italian trattoria style restaurant, serving pizzas, pasta, salads, sandwiches and snacks. Both the carvery and the pizzeria are waterside, at the back of the hotel.
  Crompton's  
     
Restaurant Type French
Restaurant Capacity 60
Opening Times 19:00 to 22:00 Mon to Sat
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy No Smoking Allowed
Children’s Facilities None
Breakfast Options Buffet available for Executive guests only
Mon to Fri 07:00 to 09:00
Cranley Comment
Crompton's is a French restaurant offering fine dining in intimate surroundings. The restaurant is adjacent to the Front Desk in the Lobby, with an entrance via its own cocktail bar. The restaurant consists of a mixture of circular and square tables, covered with red tablecloths over a white cloth to give a dramatic effect, that is enhanced by the tall, black leather covered chairs. A single stemmed flower and single candle on each table adds to the effect, as does the subdued lighting from hanging lamps. The a la carte menu typically includes a number of international dishes, such as steak, lamb and chicken, as well as sea bass, salmon and cous cous.
  Jenny's Carvery  
     
Restaurant Type Carvery
Restaurant Capacity 220
Opening Times Breakfast
07:00 to 10:00 Mon to Fri
07:30 to 10:30 Sat & Sun
Lunch
13:00 to 15:00 Sun only
Dinner
19:00 to 22:00 Daily
Dress Codes None
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy No Smoking Allowed
Children’s Facilities High Chairs available
No special menu
Breakfast Options Buffet and a small a la carte selection
Cranley Comment
Jenny's Carvery has a waterside location at the back of the hotel. It is a long room, with floor to ceiling windows on one side, where it overlooks the old Jamaican Sugar Docks. It is furnished with dark wooden tables and wooden chairs that have wicker seats. There is a colourful red patterned carpet and the hanging lights on one side of the room have very distinctive art deco lamp shades. A hot and cold buffet is offered for both breakfast and at dinner, where there is a good selection of starters, salads, hot dishes and desserts. Dinner also sees a choice of two cuts of meat from the carvery. Lunch is served on Sundays only.
  The Overstuffed Pizzeria