The City Hotel

reception and public areas good, room clean, staff friendly. Didn't try eating there and bar looked lovely though deserted. Very handy location and good value. Room was at the back of the hotel and quiet with a window you could open.

On first walking into the room I was pleasantly surprised. The room was larger than expected, bright and airy and there was a large flat screen tv. However, the beds were very uncomfortable - don't come here if you need a good nights sleep. Pillows and mattress were rock hard, and the air con and fridge made strange noises all through the night.

Also, don't be tempted to eat in the restaurant by the claims that you get 50% off food and 20% off drinks. Me and my boyfriend are both students so dont have a lot of money, being told that as hotel guests we would get money off encouraged us to go into the hotel restaurant. However, after ordering food and drinks, one of the waiters came over with the bill, saying that we could not get 50% off, and also did not take the 20% off the drinks. There is also a "service charge" which he explained was a charge that every table had to pay for the waiters to get the food from the bar kitchen. But this was a RESTAURANT, the waiters are expected to bring you your food surely?. He expected a tip as well as the service charge. In the end he took the service charge off the bill, but not the 20% and 50% off the food and drinks. So we ended up paying a lot of money for the things we ordered - the food was ridiculously overpriced. Would not be surprised if he kept the money that he should have taken off our food and drink for himself as his tip.

The location was not that great. Was only a couple of minutes walk from Aldgate East tube station, but I didnt feel very safe walking just this short distance to the hotel.

Would not recommend

I was also worried about this hotel after reading the previous reviews. My mind was put to rest as soon as I walked into reception and had a warm welcome. Checking in took just a few minutes, whilst sharing a joke with the clerk. I was soon outside my room door and hesitantly put my key card in and opened the door....to a large, clean, modern room. LCD TV on the wall..a double and single bed (all for just me!) and even today's paper, with the latest editions of two well known magazines left out.

Heading down to the trendy bar I relaxed in comfort before heading back to my room and fell asleep on the comfy bed.

I rang down to reception to get my room safe opened and within minutes the maintenance guy was at my door and very professionally showed me how to operate it. I felt safe at all times in this hotel and found the service was extremely pleasant and good natured.

Some people have commented that the surrounding area is not as safe as some areas. I would not really agree, the area IS very blue collar but so long as you follow the same rules for personal safety as you would anywhere you will be fine. The tube station (Aldgate East) is literally a one minute walk away. In fact, I think the area has much more to offer in terms of diversity than other more mainstream areas of London. If you like curry you'll be spoilt for choice. I have to say that I love my curry and head the best curry of my life (and a free drink!) at one of the restaurants on brick lane.