City View Hotel Stratford

Stayed here for a business trip in June 26 due to last minute reservations. First impressions of the place weren’t great. Upon approaching the ‘hotel’, on a nice, albeit breezy June evening, every single curtain on the ground floor was drawn, strange sure, alarm bells, not just yet. Entering the ‘hotel’ felt like walking into an islamic sleeper cell, combined with about 6 blokes on their knees praying in the direction of a low quality treadmill on the other side of the room, all while the faint ringing of drug addicts fighting over the road echoed through reception. The advertised car park doesn’t exist, however on street parking is fine, as long as ‘you’re out before the warden comes around at approx 8am’. Walking to the rooms was an experience that can only be described as a sensory overload. Visibly, as you’re walking through the ‘hotel’ it’s like stepping back into the 50s with regards to the decor and carpets. The overload part really comes in the form of the smells, which seemingly get stronger and stronger the further you walk into the ‘hotel’, my colleague and I disagreed to a certain extent on what makes these smells come to fruition. In the end we compromised on the concoction of general dirtiness, cigarette smoke (and the burning plastic cup used as an ashtray by the fire exit to our rooms) and cat vomit / feces, which I believe was attracting the dozen or so flys swarming the hallway. To the credit of the’hotel’ no cat vomit / feces were anywhere to be seen, making the situation even more peculiar. My room was actually quite nice compared with my colleagues, however the TV only turned on, but you couldn’t change the channel, no real drama as the sound didn’t work either. No hot water was actually a rather refreshing experience. However not all bad as the bed was quite comfortable and a stained towel was provided. Throughout the night the addicts continued to fight outside and the traffic seemed to increase. At one point I opened the curtains just to check if I was indeed in downtown Bangledesh, nope still night time Stratford. Breakfast was included. We did not eat breakfast. Given this 3 stars as they were no trouble really and we did survive, plus you won’t find much cheaper in all of London city. Would stay again.