Back
The Cranley Report®: Crowne Plaza London Docklands
Crowne Plaza London Docklands, London
Hotel Address
Royal Victoria Dock
Western Gateway
London E16 1AL
England
Contact Details
Telephone: +44 870 990 9692
Fax: +44 870 990 9693
E-mail
Email hotel's reservation Desk
Cranley Rating

Crowne Plaza London Docklands: Click to magnify
Photo 1 of 25. Click arrows to view
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.
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 and 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
  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
 1
  Isle Bar  
     
Bar Type Lounge
Bar Capacity Total 105 (of which 80 inside and 25 outside)
Opening Times 11:00 to 01:00
11:00 to 23:00 for non residents
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy No Smoking allowed inside. Designated smoking area outside with tables, chairs, parasols and heaters.
Admissions Policy Children allowed when accompanied by adults