The best hotels in Docklands

When a place rates itself as assuredly (in huge bold letters, no less) as Good Hotel does, it’s natural to feel a little sus. But it’s true: Good Hotel really does make you feel good. Service is cheery and laid-back without being overly casual; the food leaves nothing to complain about and – maybe it’s the luxurious silence of the area or perhaps the proximity to gently lapping water – I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better night’s sleep in the city. Aside from all that, guests can walk out of Good Hotel feeling extra gratified by virtue of its ‘do good’ DNA.

Best of all though, you'll leave feeling pretty great because a night in Good Hotel does not have to hurt your pockets. The compact (dare we say, cosy) 13 square metre ‘Good Rooms’ is the cheapest of the lot. No, there’s no pool or little bottles of prosecco in your cupboard, but Good Hotel has all the core things you could need from a hotel, done really, really well. And why book at a basic chain hotel when here, your money can go towards making a proper positive impact - each night you spend there pays towards a child going to school in South America. They really are good here.

Time Out tip: You’re right next to the IFS Cloud Cable Cars, so it would be rude to pass up on some cheap 360 views of the city.

Address: Royal Victoria Dock, Western Gateway, London E16 1FA

Price per night: From £91

Nearest transport: Royal Victoria station (DLR) is a five-minute walk.

Look from west to east along the banks of Royal Victoria Dock, and you’ll observe a real-time history lesson. Fourteen preserved 20th-century cranes signify London’s transition from industrial powerhouse to corporate capital, standing in the shadow of Canary Wharf’s glittering skyscrapers. At the heart of it all floats the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel.

The 420-foot superyacht offers 138 rooms spread across five decks. With plenty of brass features, wooden cladding and anchor-print carpets, you’re not at risk of forgetting you’re on a ship. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A stay on the Sunborn is a seriously novel experience: tasteful, spacious cabins and a restaurant with great views across to the sparkling Isle of Dogs give the hotel its distinct charm. And while the double curved staircase and giant chandelier in the foyer feel a little dated, the brilliant staff more than make up for it with their friendly, attentive service.

Also, you’re quite literally on a yacht. Sure, it’s a little kitsch here and there, but for a one-time thing – why the hell yacht? (Get it?)

Time Out tip: Eat at the restaurant - for the experience if nothing else!

Address: Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL

Price: From £99 per night

Nearest transport: Custom House Station is about a 5- to 6-minute walk away.

The Pilot Inn is part pub, part boutique hotel, and all perfection standing in the southeast end of the Greenwich peninsula. The pub opened in 1801, but you'd never guess it by the 10 bedrooms. Each are tastefully decorated with different colours and themes, some with walls of classic album covers, others with vintage cars and wooden panelling. 

The location couldn't be better either. It's sandwiched betweent Central and Peninsula Parks, is less than 10 minutes from Greenwich Peninsula's Ecology Park one way, and the North Greenwich Underground on the other, and 12 minutes from the O2, all on foot. And fun fact: The building was featured in Blur's 1994 music video of  ‘Parklife’.

Time Out tip: There's free breakfast and it's absolutely delicious. 

Address: 68 River Way, SE10 0BE, London 

Price: Rooms from £189 per night. 

Nearest transport: North Greenwich Underground station is a 10-minute walk.

There’s a shiny, curved, mermaid-esque exterior to this sexy, not-too-corporate boutique hotel from the group behind the glitzy W chain. Rooms here, right by the ExCeL Centre and Prince Regent DLR, have a minimal, masculine look, with plenty of clean lines and modern furnishings. Handily, check-in is automated: swipe your credit card to receive a key card, which also lets you into the gym and swanky modern pool, complete with sauna and steam room.

Emerging artists also regularly play live at Aloft’s urban-looking W XYZ bar, giving the place a bit more of a cooler vibe than your average business hotel. There’s a relaxed, sociable feel to the communal spaces, too, so you can grab a drink and maybe even make some friends, without having to venture into central London. It’s particularly handy if you’re in town for an event at the ExCeL of course. 

There are plenty of last-minute offers available here, too. Okay, it remains a slightly business-focused chain hotel, but it feels a world away from the usual soulless corporate stay

Time Out tip: You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hotel, too.

Address: One Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock

Price £110 per night

Nearest transport: Prince Regent DLR Station is a three-minute walk.

Offering a luxury-on-a-budget option in Canary Wharf, Tune Hotel offers comfy beds in compact, minimal rooms. If you can bring your own toiletries and towels (they charge extra for those), and learn to live without the kettle and minibar (absent from the rooms) – it’s a brilliant option for anyone who prefers to be out exploring but wants a comfortable crash pad without the frills. There’s also a jukebox in the 24-hour lobby and surely that makes up for things?

Point A Hotel is also slap bang in Canary Wharf, which makes it a handy option for business travellers with meetings in the area. You’re within easy reach of the capital’s major financial firms, offices and conference spaces, while the Jubilee line, DLR and Elizabeth line make getting to the rest of London relatively painless. Also, if you just want to look up at the skyscrapers or try out the new lido, it will be a good choice for you, too. A free breakfast is included.

Time Out tip: You can also work in the hotel lobby.

Address: 21 Hertsmere Road, E14 4AS

Price: From £77 per night

Nearest transport: Canary Wharf is a four-minute walk.

The Dorsett Hotel Canary Wharf stands right near the Thames and Canary Wharf's South Dock, and is the latest addition of the famous Dorsett brand. The hotel opened in October 2025, and welcomes all with a contemporary lobby that resembles an art gallery. There's large colourful artwork on the walls, warmly lit waterfall lighting and a bold, wooden spiral staircase. 

Bedrooms have cool, neutral tones, more warm lighting and all-white, airy bedding that feels like marshmellows. As for dining, there's The Canary House, its Chinese restaurant run by Hong Kong chef, Paul Wong, two bars - Jin Bar and Qibo Skybar and a Hong Kong-inspired afternoon tea.

Time Out tip: When you need a bit of greenery, Jubilee Park and its trickling water fountains is only a nine-minute walk. 

Address: 48 Marsh Wall, E14 9TP, London 

Price: Rooms frm £109 per night. 

Nearest transport: Admirals Way bus stop (bus D8) is a two-minute walk. Canary Wharf Station is an 11-minute walk. 

If you're spending your London stay in Greenwich, The Collection Stays' parkside location is tough to beat. It's five minutes from the park, which means easy access to attractions like the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the famous Cutty Sark.

The hotel exterior looks a bit plain, but rooms are anything but. They're minimal, but sleek, and comfortable but functionable. Larger rooms come with kitchenettes that suit business travellers and longer stays, and include a fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle. But if you're not a cook or have a smaller room, there's Greenwich Market less than 10 minutes away. 

Time Out tip: If you can, book studio eight. Its tall, domed arch windows and black frames add light and personality, plus who doesn't love a juliet balcony

Address: 5B Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ, London 

Price: Rooms frm £185 per night. 

Nearest transport: Maze Hill rail station is a four-minute walk. 

Quirky, fun, educational and surprisingly under the radar, the Limehouse Library Hotel has 75 rooms dedicated to historic figures in politics, literature, science and philosophy - and the range is wild. Opt for the light and sweet Jane Austen room, with prints of her book covers posted from floors-to-walls-to-ceilings, or if you're feeling rebellious, the all-red-painted Vladmir Lenin room comes with a mini-fridge right by the bed. There's a surprising variety of amenities, too. The hotel has a spa for massage treatments, along with a hammam, gym and sauna, and a lobby and rooftop bar, with a restaurant that hosts afternoon tea.

The building is quite a historic figure, itself. Construction started in 1881. It opened in 1901, and lasted over 100 years before closing in 2003. Its restoration began in 2014 by the Hazev Group before it reoponed as a boutique hotel in 2022. 

Time Out tip: If you're travelling with parents, please don't get the Sigmund Freud room.  

Address: Limehouse Library, 638 Commercial Road, E14 7HS, London

Price: Rooms from £122 per night. 

Nearest transport: Limehouse Undeground station is a seven-minute walk. 

If the all-brick exterior and tall domed tower of The Lansbury looks more like a chapel at first glance, that's because it was. Built around 1628, the Grade-II listed corner building was originally the East India Company's first chapel and almshouses. In 1900, after a Gothic-style revamp, the building was used as the headquarters for the Metropolitan Borough of Poplar, then was the site of the Labour party's Poplar Rates Rebellion in 1921. It wasn't until 2011 that the building was bought to restore, and in 2015, The Landsbury opened.

Now, the hotel offers 35 rooms and suites, all styled quintessentially British, with a mighty elaborite wooden staircase welcoming you up. As for amenities, there's a spa with a variety of massage treatments, a fitness facility, a meeting room, and a restaurant and bar with available room service.  

Time Out tip: With a bountiful menu of Indian-inspired plates, The Lansbury's restaurant, THECHA, is worth a morning booking to try Maharashtrian breakfasts like pav bhajis and the mighty TECHA omellette with tomatoes, onion, coriander, green chilli, and cheese. 

Address: 117 Poplar High St, Near, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 0AE, London 

Price: Rooms from £164 per night. 

Nearest transport: Poplar station (DLR) is a four-minute walk. 

A classic design and all the luxury touches you could need (concierge, turndown service, bathrobe). Rooms range from deluxe double, with floor-to-ceiling windows and plush beds, to fancy suites with free food (hors d’oeuvres, desserts and late-night snacks), separate living areas and executive lounge access. There’s a fitness centre with a sauna, plus Manhattan Grill and the G&Tea bar for dining and drinking.

Time Out tip: The London Museum Docklands is only a four-minute walk. 

Address: 22 Hertsmere Road, E14 4ED, London 

Price: Rooms from £186 per night. 

Nearest transport: Canary Wharf and Poplar stations are both a three-minute walk.