ExCeL London

This venue is a fantastic location for large or small events and is also a benefit to persons using the on site hotels but who are not attending events at ExCel. It is worth reading this review with my hotel reviews of the hotels I have stayed in on the ExCel complex by clicking on my user name above. Visit ExCel own WEB site for more information.

I have visited the venue for business and also Grand Designs, British Motor Show and the Boat Show. On my first visit in summer 2005 I was there on business and at the same time the Grand Designs Show was on. You would not have known it as the venue is so big, it has 16 exhibition halls split 8 down the north side and 8 down the south side.

The venue is open even if no events are happening and contains Coffee Bars and Newspaper/sweet shops and free cash machines. If you are staying at one of the on-site hotels this is a great bonus to be able to use these facilities. If you want a cheap light breakfast rather than pay hotel prices a bacon sandwich costs £3 and there are plenty of tables and chairs down the main wide central isle to sit at and relax.

At the west and east doors are information desks and you can get free information on where the local restaurants are etc. All of the restaurants are no more than a 5 minute walk from the complex. Even if not staying at the local hotels for an ExCel event it is a good information desk with very helpful staff.

If staying in one of the on-site hotels my experience is that you should consider first the hotels based on the west side of ExCel as these are were most of the bars and restaurants are located, and the infrastructure is better. The 3 hotels are IBIS (2*), my personal favourite the Novotel (4*) and the Crowne Plaza (4*). Travelling on the DLR for these hotels alight at Royal Victoria (RV) as there are less steps to negotiate. On leaving RV cross the zebra crossing and at 10 o’clock is a wide pathway between two apartment blocks, walk up this pathway and onto Western Gateway turn left and the hotels will come up as you walk towards the west entrance of ExCel.

The Sunborn Yacht, Premier Inn and Ramada are based on the east side of ExCel. Alight at Prince Regent DLR and you need to cross a car park for all 3 which in winter in the dark could be quit daunting. To me the east side infrastructure is poor.

If staying for a while, at Canary Wharf Shopping Mall is a Waitrose (ask Canary Wharf tube staff for directions) and at Galleons Reach on the DLR line to Beckton is a TESCO Extra, shop at these locations to get supplies for your hotel room.