Exhibition visitors and business travellers heading to the Royal Docks often need a straightforward, reliable hotel within walking distance of the ExCeL Centre. This guide cuts through marketing claims and scattered reviews to deliver a clear, evidence-based picture of the Premier Inn London Docklands Excel hotel — covering its transport links, real guest experiences, common complaints, and essential amenities — so you can decide if it fits your trip.
Last checked: 2026-06-24
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Location: Adjacent to ExCeL London · Distance to ExCeL: 5-minute walk · Travel Time to Central London: 40 minutes · Travel Time to O2 Arena: 20 minutes
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-24.
Sources reviewed: official hotel website, Expedia listing, KAYAK aggregator, Travel Weekly trade listing, trivago description, Hotels.com guest reviews, TripAdvisor user reviews.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification. Travel time and distance claims are based on property marketing materials and booking-platform data.
Premier Inn London Docklands Excel at a glance
- Adjacent to ExCeL Exhibition Centre, at Royal Victoria Dock, 2 Festoon Way, London, E16 1SJ. (Premier Inn)
- Approximately 4–5 minutes’ walk (around 0.3 miles) from ExCeL Exhibition Centre. (Expedia)
- About 40 minutes by public transport, using the Docklands Light Railway. (Premier Inn)
- Around 20 minutes by public transport to The O2 Arena. (Premier Inn)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | Royal Victoria Dock, 2 Festoon Way, London, E16 1SJ, United Kingdom |
| Distance to ExCeL | 5-minute walk (0.3 miles) |
| Travel Time to Central London | 40 minutes by public transport |
| Travel Time to The O2 | 20 minutes by public transport |
| Distance to London City Airport | About 1 mile |
| Year Built | 2003 |
| Number of Rooms | 206 (per Expedia listing) |
| Star Rating | 3-star (per KAYAK) |
| Check-in Time | 2:00 PM (some listings now show 3:00 PM) |
| Check-out Time | 12:00 PM (noon) |
What is the nearest tube to Premier Inn Excel?
The nearest rail station to the hotel is Prince Regent DLR, which Premier Inn markets as conveniently located for giving guests easy access to Canary Wharf and Central London via the Docklands Light Railway. Prince Regent is approximately a 5-minute walk from the hotel, making it the most direct public transport link for ExCeL visitors. The DLR connects to the London Underground at Bank and Canary Wharf, allowing onward travel across the city. Travel Weekly notes that the property is “a large modern hotel, situated a five-minute walk to the ExCeL, 20 minutes from the O2 and 40 minutes from central London” (Travel Weekly).
For those arriving by air, London City Airport is roughly a mile away — a short taxi or DLR ride. The hotel sits within a 100-acre Royal Docks campus that also includes the ExCeL Centre and the Emirates Air Line cable car, which offers a direct connection across the Thames to the O2 Arena.
The bottom line: For anyone heading to an exhibition or conference at ExCeL, this hotel offers genuinely close public transport access. The 40-minute journey to central London is realistic but requires at least one DLR interchange.
What are common complaints about Premier Inn?
Guest reviews across multiple platforms paint a mixed picture. On KAYAK, the hotel earns an aggregated rating of 8.5–8.6 out of 10 from over 160 verified ratings, rated as “Very good,” with particular praise for staff friendliness and cleanliness (KAYAK). On TripAdvisor, reviewers highlight “clean and functional rooms, a good breakfast and friendly staff,” with one guest commenting that “nothing was too much trouble” (TripAdvisor).
However, common criticisms also emerge. Several third-party reviews note that public areas and decor feel dated or “in need of a makeover” (Hotels.com). One Hotels.com guest wrote: “It’s an ok hotel if you are visiting ExCeL for an event but the hotel needs a make over and especially the public area is worn down.” A trade-off worth noting is that the immediate area has fewer independent restaurants and evening dining options compared with the north side of ExCeL (Hotels.com).
The pattern: Guest satisfaction with Premier Inn London Docklands Excel hinges heavily on the reason for visiting. Exhibition attendees generally rate the hotel well for its convenience and cleanliness, while guests looking for a broader London base are more likely to note the dated public spaces and limited local nightlife.
Is there a bar at Premier Inn Docklands?
Yes. The hotel has an on-site Thyme-branded restaurant and bar, which trivago describes as including a “bar/lounge open to hotel guests late into the evening (often until around 1:00 AM)” (trivago). A buffet breakfast is served each morning for a fee — Expedia lists the cost at roughly £12.99 per person. The bar provides a reliable evening option for guests who prefer not to venture out after events at ExCeL.
Parking is another amenity where policies are not entirely consistent across sources. The official Premier Inn page states that “free parking is available for Premier Inn guests.” However, Expedia’s listing notes that “uncovered self‑parking is charged at around £15 per day.” This discrepancy suggests that parking charges vary by booking channel, rate type, or specific dates. We recommend confirming the parking policy directly with the hotel at the time of booking rather than relying on third-party listings.
“Large modern hotel, situated a five-minute walk to the ExCeL, 20 minutes from the O2 and 40 minutes from central London.”
– Travel Weekly hotel listing
The bottom line: For evening dining and drinks, the on-site Thyme restaurant and bar serve reliable options. For parking, check your specific booking — the official site says free, but Expedia notes a daily fee.
Are Premier Inn hotels in London good?
The short answer is that it varies by location. For Premier Inn London Docklands Excel specifically, reviews are generally positive, but the experience is shaped by the purpose of the stay. KAYAK’s aggregated score of 8.5–8.6 out of 10 suggests strong overall satisfaction among guests who have booked through that platform. Trivago’s consolidated amenity information notes that the hotel features “large rooms, a well-known restaurant, free Wi-Fi on the property and meeting/banquet facilities.”
Pros commonly cited across platforms include cleanliness, staff helpfulness, and value for money relative to the ExCeL location. The most frequent downsides are dated public areas and the limited dining scene immediately outside the hotel. When considering whether this Premier Inn is “good” for your trip, the deciding factor is likely how much time you plan to spend in the hotel versus exploring London. For business travellers who need a clean, functional base with quick access to ExCeL, the hotel performs well. For leisure travellers hoping to walk to vibrant neighbourhoods, the location is less ideal.
The trade-off: You get unmatched proximity to ExCeL and reliable Premier Inn standards, but you trade that for an area that feels quieter and less developed in off-event periods. For exhibition visitors, that trade is often worth making.
Specifications at a glance
| Amenity / Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| On-site Restaurant | Thyme restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner |
| Bar | Yes, open late (often until 1:00 AM per trivago) |
| Breakfast Cost | Buffet breakfast, approximately £12.99 per person (Expedia) |
| Parking | Free per Premier Inn site; £15/day per Expedia — confirm at booking |
| Wi-Fi | Free on property (per trivago) |
| Air Conditioning | In-room air conditioning (per trivago) |
| Luggage Storage | Available (per Expedia) |
| 24-hour Front Desk | Yes (per trivago) |
| Meeting Facilities | Available (per trivago) |
| Accessibility | Listed as having accessible rooms; check directly for specifics |
Getting there: location and transport
Reaching Premier Inn London Docklands Excel is straightforward from all major London transport hubs. From London City Airport, a taxi takes about 5–10 minutes, or you can take the DLR one stop from London City Airport station to Prince Regent. From Central London, take the Jubilee Line to Canning Town and switch to the DLR towards Beckton or Woolwich Arsenal, alighting at Prince Regent. From the O2 Arena, the Emirates Air Line cable car connects North Greenwich directly across the Thames to Royal Victoria Docks, followed by a short walk or one DLR stop to Prince Regent.
The hotel’s location on the Royal Docks campus places it within easy reach of the ExCeL Centre and London City Airport, but the immediate environment is more business- and event-focused than tourist-oriented. Travel Weekly describes the area as part of a “wider 100‑acre Royal Docks campus,” meaning large-scale venues and transport infrastructure dominate the landscape rather than independent shops and restaurants.
“Ideally located next to the ExCeL Centre, only 40 minutes to Central London by public transport.”
– Premier Inn London Docklands (Excel) official description
What this means: The hotel is well-connected for event-goers and business travellers, but if you are looking for a central London base with nightlife at your doorstep, this location will feel remote. Plan to use public transport for any non-ExCeL activities.
Alternatives to consider
If Premier Inn London Docklands Excel does not quite fit your needs, two nearby alternatives are worth comparing:
- ibis London Excel Docklands: Located right next to ExCeL, this eco-certified hotel often receives slightly higher aggregate review scores (around 8.6/10 on Expedia) with specific praise for reliable in-room WiFi and helpful staff (Expedia). Prices are typically similar to Premier Inn, and it does not have an on-site bar/restaurant in the same way.
- Premier Inn London Docklands (Canning Town): This sister property is closer to Canning Town tube station (Jubilee Line) and is marketed as close to The O2 and within a short drive of the Royal Docks. It may suit guests who prioritise direct access to the Underground over immediate proximity to ExCeL.
| Hotel | Distance to ExCeL | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Inn London Docklands Excel | 5-minute walk | On-site Thyme restaurant and bar; direct DLR access |
| Premier Inn London Docklands (Canning Town) | Short drive / DLR ride | Close to Canning Town tube; direct Jubilee Line to Central London |
The implication: Choose the Excel Premier Inn if your primary reason for being in Docklands is an event at ExCeL. Choose the Canning Town Premier Inn if you need quicker access to the London Underground for exploring central London or attending events at The O2.
Our pick
For exhibition attendees and business travellers
For its specific target audience — visitors attending events at ExCeL — the Premier Inn London Docklands Excel is a solid, no-surprises choice. It delivers clean, functional rooms, a reliable on-site restaurant and bar, and genuinely close proximity to the exhibition centre. The DLR link to Canary Wharf and Central London is efficient, and London City Airport is a quick taxi ride away.
The trade-off is clear: the hotel’s public areas show their age, and the surrounding Royal Docks area is quieter than many central London neighbourhoods. If you value modern lobby spaces or plan to spend evenings exploring independent restaurants, you may prefer the ibis London Excel Docklands nearby, or the Premier Inn at Canning Town for better tube access. But for a straightforward, budget-conscious stay built around event attendance, this Premier Inn does what it advertises.
For a broader overview of accommodation choices, see this guide to hotels near ExCeL London which compares several options including Premier Inn.
Frequently asked questions
How far is ExCeL to Central London?
ExCeL Exhibition Centre is approximately 40 minutes from Central London by public transport, using the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and interchanging with the London Underground at Bank or Canary Wharf.
What is the 5’10 rule in hotels?
The “5’10 rule” is not an official hotel policy. It is a term sometimes used informally to refer to the standard hotel check-in time of 3:00 PM and check-out of 10:00 AM, or to the 5-hour gap between a 10:00 AM check-out and 3:00 PM check-in. No major hotel chain enforces a formal “5’10 rule” as a published policy.
Does Premier Inn Docklands have parking?
The official Premier Inn page states that “free parking is available for Premier Inn guests” at this property. However, Expedia’s listing notes a daily parking charge of approximately £15 for “uncovered self‑parking.” Parking terms vary by rate and booking channel — check directly with the hotel at time of booking.
Does Premier Inn Docklands have a restaurant?
Yes, the hotel has a Thyme-branded restaurant and bar on site. The bar is typically open until around 1:00 AM, and a buffet breakfast is available for a fee (approximately £12.99 per person per Expedia).
What cheap hotels are near ExCeL London?
Several budget-friendly hotels are within walking distance of ExCeL. The Premier Inn London Docklands Excel offers typical nightly rates starting from approximately $56–$68 (USD) for standard rooms, according to KAYAK. The nearby ibis London Excel Docklands is another affordable option with similar pricing and a higher aggregate review score on some platforms.
What is the email for Premier Inn Docklands?
Premier Inn does not list a direct email for this specific property on its official website. Guest enquiries are typically handled through the central Premier Inn customer service contact form or by phone via the hotel’s direct line, which is provided on the official booking page.
Map and location reference
Sources
- Premier Inn London Docklands Excel – Official Property Page
- Expedia – Premier Inn London Docklands Excel Listing
- KAYAK – Premier Inn London Docklands Excel Price and Review Data
- Travel Weekly – Premier Inn London Docklands ExCel Listing
- trivago – Premier Inn London Docklands Excel Amenities and Reviews
- Hotels.com – Premier Inn London Docklands Excel Reviews
- TripAdvisor – Premier Inn London Docklands Excel Guest Reviews
- Expedia – ibis London Excel Docklands Listing (comparison)
- Premier Inn – London Docklands Canning Town Official Page (comparison)