FAWLTY TOWERS

Though the staff were friendly, the service left a lot to be desired. This was duly noted in the restaurant and bar. Chaos reigned supreme. An evening drink at the bar turned into one of the most unorganized, chaotic spectacles I have ever witnessed, to the point where I thought that it was a set up and a camera crew would appear at any moment to alleviate the distress of all. If there was an award given for the Basil Fawlty recognition for service, their efforts would have had them inducted into the hall of fame. Heard the adage too many Chiefs, not enough Indians, how about no Chief, too many Indians! At one count eight (8) staff were behind the bar, they had run out of glasses (we opted to reuse our pint glasses for fear of an hour long delay between drinks), there was a minimum 45 minute wait on food (our barman told us it would be quicker to order room service and then bring our meals to the bar!). Waiting staff delivered meal after meal to the bar leaving them to pile up as hapless, hungry patrons darted from one end of the bar to the other trying to get the attention of a staff member to claim their meals. The delivery of the food to bar seemed quite prompt, but I soon understood where the 45 minute claim came in as we watched meals stand in the open air of the smoky bar for the duration of the claim. Saddam had nothing on these guys 45 minute Wielders of Meal Destruction claim. A few other funny things happened that night and the following night at the restaurant when we went for a meal, again all relating to service issues, but I won't go into these. To be fair to the staff it wasn't for their lack of trying, helpfulness and friendliness it was just so badly managed and unorganised. As for the rooms they were fine and very clean. Beds were a little soft for my liking though. On check out they then tried to charge me for an extra person per night for the last two nights that we stayed. I will have to check that credit card statement when it comes in.

Excellent Hotel but not for people visiting central London!

This is an excellent hotel located next to EXCEL, ideal if you are attending an exhibition there or visiting the area, however, don't stay here if you're visiting London as its way out of town. The hotel is clean and bright, nice rooms - ask for one with a view of City Airport and you can watch the planes. Its soundproofed so no worry about the noise. The food in the restaurant is fine, and the prices suit all budgets - reasonable to expensive depending on your choice. Wine starts at around £14 a bottle, which I though was perfectly acceptable for a hotel, and goes up to £45. The staff are helpful and friendly. If you're looking for a hotel in this location then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.

Very Nice Hotel

This hotel is very modern, clean, great view of city airport runway from our room. 30 odd mins via tube to get into London & very competitive prices via web hotel sites i paid £75 for a double room which included a very nice full english breakfast. I would come back & stay here again.

Lovely suite a long way out.

The Ramada is situated at the very East of the Docklands redevelopment, most of the surrounding land is barren and awaiting a use. Ther Hotel was very new and clean, we stayed in a suite which was spacious and comfortable. It was very quiet so a good nights sleep was had. The Hotel is 5 minutes walk away from the Excel centre (which we were visiting) and has plenty of free car parking space. We didn't eat dinner or breakfast in the restaurant, it was very expensive, the bar was very smoky in the early evening but we had a drink there after returning by car from dinner in Plaistow, there was no draught bitter and the prices were outrageous. There was an alternative at the nearby Fox at Connaught an upmarket pub & restaurant recently opened in an old listed docks building a few yards away.

There is a fitness room but in the morning all four aerobic machines were being used so we went for a delightful jog in the sunshine around the Royal Victoria Dock.

The Hotel is 5 minutes walk from Prince Albert Station on the Docklands Light Railway, trains take 25 minutes to the City so about 35 to the West End. You would need to allow an hour for the journey each way by the time you have waited for the train.

I would stay in this Hotel if I was going to an event at Excel, had a car with me and wanted a suite. If a room was all I required I would prefer the adjacent, and equally new, Travel Inn and save £25. If my buisness or pleasure was in Central London, and especially if I had no car with me, I would look elsewhere as the Ramada is simply too far out.

Ignore the review below

I stayed in a suite at the Ramada Docklands for three nights. There are indeed two rooms and a bathroom in the suite. The rooms are spacious enough and the bathroom was not especially small by British standards. More importantly, the hotel was quiet, spotless and attended by professional and courteous staff. The comfort level is high, everything is clean and modern, and even the fold-down sofa was comfortable. YES, it is a long, long way from the center of London, so if you're humping heavy bags on the train from the airport, stay somewhere closer to the city (at three times the cost and in inferior accommodation). If you don't mind riding the train for 20 minutes and if you don't plan on howling at the moon, it's a reasonably priced if not centrally-situated hotel.

Awful Experience

Terrible experience. I booked this hotel after checking the great rating here so I am willing to share my experience.

- The hotel location is a total disaster. I have been staying in the Docklands again (e.g. Holiday Inn Docklands) but this...this is really too far and just to find the hotel at night you will have an hard time. If you have luggages with you be prepared for a long and tortuous ride.

So to get to Central London from this place please expect 40 min to one hour.

- The "suites" are not even closed to this definition. What they see as a suite is two rooms, one with a normal bedroom and one with a sofa which might become a bed. The bathroom is very small, so no way. It is not a suite.

Just check online and you will see no images of the room or the so called suites.

-The Bar at night was populated by all sort of strange people...

Out of nowhere, no value for money, stay away.

BFE

The hotel itself was great. I heard some guests complain that it was hot, but that was not my experience. I thought the hotel was very clean and spacious HOWEVER... it was out in the Boonies. It was a 30 min ride on the tubes to get into town so if you're a night couple you had to stop whatever you were doing and start your trip home at 11:15pm to catch the last ride back to the hotel (too $ for a cab ride all the way out there). Then after you got off at the stop it was another 5-10 min walk to the hotel. I'm not lazy but carrying a backpack and other bags and suitcases all that way was a pain. Also, there was NOTHING in the surrounding area. No restaurants or stores or anything. It was a wasteland.

Most enjoyable stay in london

The Ramada Docklands was great. I normally despise travelling in london, but this hotel made our stay truly enjoyable. the service was great, and the rooms were clean and comfortable, i didn't even want to leave! it's a little out of the way but a 25 min ride on the tube takes you to the center of london. well worth the extra travel time. it was so modern and clean, i loved it!

LOVED the Ramada Docklands

We just returned home from our stay at the Ramada Docklands and cannot say enough about this property! We were very impressed!! The hotel manager and all staff were very accomodating. We had three young children with us and they went out of their way to make us feel at home. The restaurant was lovely and offered non-smoking area. The hotel sits on the Thames, and though there is not much in the surrounding area, it was an easy walk to the Docklands Light Railway, which would connect to the subway system. The rooms were absolutely outstanding. We had a suite and an adjoining room, they were very clean, used the best in equipment and were generously sized for London!!!! The bathrooms were clean and roomy and had wonderful fixtures. We would definitely return to this hotel and recommend it.

Great Bar!!!

Ramada's Oval bar is the best watering hole in the Docklands, great choice and helpful advice from the manager Christine. Check it out.