If you are looking for a good hotel room in the centre of London that won’t break the bank, then Ibis Blackfriars in London is the place to book. My husband and I stayed at the Ibis Blackfriars London during a little city trip. We were amazed at the comfort this fantastic hotel offers. This is a review of Ibis Blackfriars in London!
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Why we chose to stay at Ibis Blackfriars in London
Choosing and booking a good hotel in London is tricky. Especially if you have lived in London and know all the areas you definitely DO NOT want to stay in! But, on the other hand, most tourists get pulled in by the reasonable prices and beautiful facades of hotels near Bayswater and Paddington. Still, most Londoners (and ex-Londoners) will know that these hotels are often tourist traps offering dirty and dated rooms. In addition, there is barely anything to do in and around these areas. Sure, there are a few restaurants and pubs, but the true London experience will always be a tube ride away. If you do want to stay in Mayfair, please do check out this article!)
Another reason why we decided to go with Ibis Blackfriars in London is because the hotel is reasonably priced. Who wants to pay GBP100 a night for a room with no window (when did that become a thing! So de-humanising!) or even more for a room WITH a window but hardly any space to turn or move! (Looking at you, Z hotels!)
In the end, we decided that London’s cheapest hotel in a good area with good reviews and enough space to comfortably spend 2 nights was the Ibis Blackfriars. It was by no means cheap, but it was the best we could get within our budget.
Ibis Blackfriars London Location
The Ibis Blackfriars in London are perfectly located for those heading to London by train. Several tube stops are nearby, and you are only a 5-minute walk from Waterloo Station. And let’s be honest, Southwark is an amazing location. If I could live anywhere in London, it would probably be Southwark or Lambeth. Great restaurants mix with greasy spoons, you are in the centre of London without being in an area that is too busy, you are a stone’s throw from the river and all transport networks, and there are some very nice pubs nearby.
Oh! And the Old Vic is just around the corner! Win-Win!
Our room at Ibis Blackfriars London
During our stay at Ibis Blackfriars London, we were given a corner room with City View. And oh my! Not only was the room very large, but you also had the most amazing view over Big Ben, the London Eye, the houses of parliament, and the nearby buildings. It was honestly an amazing view for an Ibis!
We had a king-sized bed, a little desk with a view of the city, quite a bit of closet space, and the typical Ibis bathroom I have come to know very well during our summer trip. Honestly, the room was a lot better than I expected, and I was impressed by the overall quality of the room.
Although there were other people on our floor, I did not hear anything throughout the night (very important in a city like London!). In addition, because the room had three windows, there was a lot of natural light in the mornings (which is very important to me personally).
The staff at Ibis Blackfriars London
The staff at Ibis Blackfriars London was amazing. They were incredibly helpful and even offered us an early check-in at a small fee (yes, please!). They were also happy to keep our luggage for us on our last day as our flight was at 7PM.
Breakfast at this London Ibis hotel
We sadly did not have breakfast at Ibis Blackfriars. Still, we did see the plates laden with bacon, egg, beans and mushroom when we walked by our own breakfast destination. So if you are booking your hotel room and breakfast is included for free, I would go for it. It looked nice, and people seemed to enjoy it.
If you are, on the other hand, booking a room without breakfast, then there are a few amazing breakfast places nearby. We personally headed to The Bankside Cafe. This is a typical London greasy spoon cafe where builders and workers head for breakfast. They serve amazing Full English, and I cannot recommend them more.
What kind of breakfast is served at ibis London Blackfriars?
The breakfast served at Ibis Blackfriars London is a buffet breakfast with a wide variety of items to choose from. There is something for everyone, with both hot and cold options available. The buffet also includes a selection of pastries and breads, as well as cereals, fruit, and juices.
Getting to Ibis Blackfriars London
There are several metro stations close to Ibis Blackfriars London, including Waterloo Station and Southwark. This means you will always be able to get around the city easily. Waterloo Station connects London with The South of England, making it a great place to stay if you want to go and visit The New Forest national park, Salisbury (and Stonehenge) or even Chessington World of Adventures. You can read up on the best daytrips from London here!
How far is ibis London Blackfriars from the center of London?
The Ibis Blackfriars London is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from some of London’s most popular attractions. The hotel is also conveniently located near public transportation, making it easy to get around the city. While the exact distance from the center of London will vary depending on your starting point, the hotel is generally within a 20-30 minute walk or a short ride on public transportation.
Conclusion
My husband and I loved our stay at Ibis Blackfriars London and would 100% stay here again. It is in a great location, the room is one of the cheaper ones in the city, and the staff and room are delightful! Would definitely recommend booking a room at Ibis Blackfriars London if you are planning a trip.
Lieze Neven is a globetrotting travel writer and expat currently based in Nepal. With a passion for exploration, she has lived in Dubai, the UK, and Belgium, alongside her international teacher husband. Her parents live in France and she tries to visit Paris at least once a year. Together, they travel the world looking for the best hotels, experiences and food locations have to offer!