"Hotel Review: Ibis (Room 853)
My recent stay at the Ibis was a mix of positives and frustrating shortcomings. Overall I found it to be a simple, functional option—especially useful when my preferred hotel is fully booked. Room 853 offered the familiar Ibis experience: basic, practical, and straightforward, however not without several issues that made the stay less comfortable than expected.
Heating & Room Comfort
The biggest disappointment was the complete lack of heating. I specifically asked at check-in whether the heating was working and was told it was set to “winter settings,” (whatever that means!) but in reality the room was cold. The fan above the entrance blew cool air no matter what temperature I selected—even at 30°C. After asking around, both cleaning and service staff confirmed that all rooms are the same and that heating simply isn’t available unless you request a portable heater. This was extremely inconvenient and not what I expect from a hotel in winter time.
The ability to open the windows was a plus! A window that actually opens—a huge advantage and, alas, rarity nowadays - for me it is very important and something I always look for in a hotel.
Room Amenities
The room is extremely basic, even for Ibis standards. Several essential items were missing:
• No glasses or water bottles, and no water stations
• No fridge or cooling unit—very disappointing
• No hand towels, only two large bath towels
• No tissues of any description (toilet paper had to substitute)
• No bin liners, (doesn’t it make cleaning more difficult?)
• Limited tea and coffee, and only two wooden stir sticks (not any spoon)
The toiletries were provided in large refillable bottles. While I know many hotels are doing this now, I personally find it unhygienic and would prefer individually packed toiletries.
There was no safe in the room; although available at reception, it’s a bother having to ask every time.
Room Layout & Cleanliness
The room was mostly clean, though a bit dusty and showed clear signs of wear. The hotel overall feels dated and would benefit from a deeper clean and refresh. The “closet” area is a strange open unit with hangers and shelves—functional, but I don’t see why a proper enclosed wardrobe isn’t provided when there’s enough space.
The bathroom is a typical Ibis capsule unit—compact, plastic, and not my favourite design, but this is an Ibis trademark so you know what to expect. Water pressure and hot water were good. Lighting throughout the room was also well-placed and convenient.
There is a wooden bench against the wall, though it’s not clear what its purpose is. It looks far too uncomfortable to sit on, so I assume guests just use it as a storage surface.
Sleep Quality
The bed was reasonably comfortable.
Overall
Room 853 was very basic but functional. The stay was rather good, but the lack of heating, absence of basic amenities, and dated feel of the room made it underwhelming. With a few updates and more complete amenities, the stay could be significantly more comfortable. Ibis City-Shoreditch remains a reliable backup option for me when my usual hotel is unavailable."
