You’ve seen the photos. Glass. Metal. The DLR humming in the background. If you’ve ever booked a trip to East London for a conference or a quick city break, you've probably scrolled past the Novotel London Excel Western Gateway about a dozen times. It sits there, right on the edge of the Royal Victoria Dock, looking exactly like what it is: a solid, reliable, four-star hub. But honestly? Most people book it for the wrong reasons, or worse, they miss out on the small details that actually make or break a stay in this part of the city.
London is exhausting. It's loud.
Choosing a hotel in the Docklands isn't just about being close to the ExCeL London exhibition center; it’s about tactical positioning. You want to be close enough to the action that you aren't spending three hours a day on the Jubilee line, but far enough away that you don't feel like you’re sleeping inside a trade show booth. The Western Gateway location hits that weird, perfect middle ground that a lot of the nearby budget hotels actually miss.
What Nobody Tells You About the Location
Location is everything. People see "ExCeL" in the name and assume it's only for suit-and-tie types attending a FinTech summit. That's a mistake. The Novotel London Excel Western Gateway is basically a gateway to the new London. You're a three-minute walk—maybe four if you’re carrying heavy bags—from the Custom House station.
Here is the thing about Custom House: it’s a game-changer now. With the Elizabeth Line fully operational, you aren't just "near" central London. You are basically in it. You can get from the quiet, breezy docks to the chaos of Tottenham Court Road in about 15 minutes. It’s faster than getting across town in a black cab.
The Waterfront Vibe
The Royal Docks have this strange, hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, especially at night. When the sun goes down and the lights of Canary Wharf start reflecting off the water, it doesn't feel like the London of Dickens or Sherlock Holmes. It feels like Singapore or Dubai. It’s airy. You can breathe here. If you’ve spent all day crammed into a session at the ExCeL, walking out and seeing the Emirates Air Line cable cars gliding overhead is a massive mental reset.
Most people don't realize that the hotel is also a stone’s throw from the SS Robin and the various wakeboarding parks. Yeah, you can actually go wakeboarding in the docks. It’s weird, it’s loud, and it’s brilliant.
The Room Situation: Is It Actually Worth the Premium?
Let’s be real for a second. You aren't booking a Novotel for "boutique charm." You’re booking it because you want a bed that won't destroy your back and a shower with actual water pressure.
The rooms at the Novotel London Excel Western Gateway follow the classic Novotel blueprint, but they feel a bit more spacious than what you’d find in the cramped corridors of a Shoreditch hotel. You get that signature "Live N Dream" bedding. It’s plush. It’s consistent.
The layout is practical.
You’ve got a proper desk, which is a godsend because let’s face it, if you’re staying here, you’re probably checking emails at 11 PM. The bathrooms usually feature that frosted glass aesthetic—it’s a bit 2010s, sure, but it’s clean and functional. One pro tip: try to request a room on a higher floor facing the water. The "city view" rooms are fine, but the "dock view" is why you’re here. Watching the sun rise over the Thames barrier while you drink a mediocre Nespresso? That’s the dream.
Food, Drinks, and the "Upper Deck" Experience
Eating in the Docklands can be a bit of a minefield. You have two choices: overpriced chains or the hotel restaurant.
The Upper Deck Restaurant & Bar inside the hotel is actually surprisingly decent. It isn't trying to win a Michelin star, and it doesn't need to. They do a burger that actually tastes like beef, and the pizza is better than it has any right to be. It’s the kind of place where you see people having intense business negotiations over a plate of fish and chips.
- The Breakfast Buffet: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. They have the full English spread, pastries, and a pancake machine that is strangely mesmerizing to watch.
- The Bar: It’s a solid spot for a gin and tonic. It gets busy during major events at the ExCeL, so if there’s a massive gaming convention or a boat show on, expect a crowd.
- Local Alternatives: If you want to venture out, the Fox Connaught nearby is a classic pub with a bit more soul, or you can hop over to Canary Wharf for basically every high-end chain imaginable.
The Logistics Most People Mess Up
If you are driving to London, God help you. But if you must, the Novotel London Excel Western Gateway does have on-site parking. It’s expensive. Expect to pay around £25-£35 per day. It’s London; space is a luxury.
Check-in is usually at 3:00 PM. If you show up early, they’ll hold your bags, but don't expect a room at 10:00 AM unless you’ve got some serious Accor Live Limitless points or the hotel is half-empty. The staff here are used to high volume. They are efficient, brisk, and they’ve seen it all—from exhausted marathon runners to tech bros who’ve lost their badges.
Fitness and Wellness
There is a gym. It’s small. If you’re a hardcore powerlifter, you’ll be disappointed. But for a 20-minute treadmill session to sweat out the London smog, it does the job. There’s also a sauna and a steam room. Honestly, after a day of walking 20,000 steps around a trade show floor, the sauna is the only thing that matters.
Is it Family Friendly?
Surprisingly, yes. Novotel has this long-standing policy where kids stay for free in their parents' room (usually up to two kids under 16). That makes this a very strategic choice for families. You get the space of a larger room, the safety of the Docklands—which is much quieter and "sanitized" compared to Central London—and easy access to the O2 Arena via the cable car.
Kids love the cable car. It’s basically a ride that takes you to a giant tent full of restaurants and a cinema.
The Nuance: Who Is This Hotel NOT For?
I'm not going to sit here and tell you it's perfect for everyone.
If you want "Old London"—cobblestone streets, ancient pubs with low ceilings, and the smell of history—don't stay here. You’ll be disappointed by the steel and glass. If you want a romantic, candlelit boutique experience for an anniversary, this isn't it. This is a machine. It’s a high-functioning, comfortable, well-oiled machine designed for efficiency and comfort.
It’s for the person who values a 15-minute commute over a quirky wallpaper design.
Understanding the "Western Gateway" Distinction
There are actually a couple of Novotels and many Accor properties in the area. Don't confuse this one with the Novotel London Canary Wharf (which is much taller and has a rooftop bar) or the Ibis just down the road. The Novotel London Excel Western Gateway is specifically positioned at the west entrance of the exhibition center.
This matters.
If your event is at the East end of the ExCeL, you’re looking at a 15-minute walk just to get across the building. The West side is closer to the DLR and the Elizabeth Line, making it the superior choice for anyone who actually wants to leave the area and see the rest of London.
Real Talk on Pricing
Prices here swing wildly. It’s the ultimate example of dynamic pricing. During a quiet weekend in January, you might snag a room for £120. During World Travel Market or a major comic convention? That same room will go for £400+.
- Book Early: This is one of those hotels where the "last minute deal" rarely exists because the big events book out months in advance.
- Join the Club: Join the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program. It’s free. You get a discount immediately. It’s not much, but it covers the cost of a drink at the bar.
- Check the Calendar: Before you book, check the ExCeL London events calendar. If there is a massive event on, decide if you actually want to be in the middle of that swarm.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
If you’ve decided the Novotel London Excel Western Gateway is the right base for your London trip, don't just click "book" and hope for the best.
First, verify your transport. Download the Citymapper app—it’s significantly better than Google Maps for navigating the London Underground and DLR. Second, if you’re arriving via Heathrow, take the Elizabeth Line. Don't even look at a taxi. It’s a straight shot to Custom House, and it’s the most stress-free way to enter the city.
Once you arrive, take ten minutes to walk down to the dockside. Even if it's raining (which, let's face it, it probably will be), the scale of the Royal Docks is something you have to see to appreciate. It’s a piece of industrial history that has been forcefully shoved into the 21st century.
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Skip the standard "tourist" breakfast one morning and head over to Canary Wharf (two stops on the Elizabeth line) to find a local coffee roaster. It’ll give you a much better sense of the local "work hard, play hard" culture that defines this slice of London.
The Western Gateway isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a tactical advantage in a city that can otherwise be very difficult to navigate. Use the Elizabeth Line, enjoy the dock views, and make sure you hit the sauna at least once. That’s how you do the Docklands properly.