London
Hotels near ExCeL London: where to stay for the fair or conference
The fair opens at nine, and there is a long queue at the entrance. Stay right by ExCeL and you walk there in minutes, skipping the crowded trains from the centre. These are the hotels on Royal Victoria Dock and a couple of stops away.
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ExCeL London is the city's largest exhibition and conference centre, on Royal Victoria Dock in east London. Big fairs fill the hotels in the area, and prices rise on those days.
We have picked five hotels for fairs and conferences. Two are within walking distance of ExCeL, and three are one or two stops away by the Elizabeth line or the cable car.
In short: hotels near ExCeL London
The best hotel near ExCeL London is Sunborn London, a yacht hotel on Royal Victoria Dock, six minutes from Custom House station. Aloft London Excel is at the other end of the centre and has an indoor pool. Canary Wharf is one stop away on the Elizabeth line. Book as soon as you know your dates, as hotels fill during big fairs.
Our first choice: Sunborn London, for its quayside location and the experience of staying on a ship.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sunborn London
Top picks
Yacht hotel by ExCeL: Sunborn London
Pool and walking distance: Aloft London Excel
One stop away: TRIBE London Canary Wharf
For several nights: Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
By cable car across the river: InterContinental London The O2
Getting to ExCeL
ExCeL has two stations. Custom House on the Elizabeth line is by the west entrance, and Prince Regent on the DLR by the east entrance. The Elizabeth line runs to Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street and Paddington, and some trains go all the way to Heathrow.
The IFS Cloud Cable Car crosses the river from the Royal Docks to the Greenwich Peninsula and The O2. It is a fine ride after a long day at the fair.
The hotels by ExCeL
Sunborn London
Sunborn London is a yacht hotel moored on the quay in Royal Victoria Dock, right by ExCeL. Custom House station is six minutes away on foot.
The ship has a restaurant and bar with views of Canary Wharf, and the breakfast wins a lot of praise. Good if you want to walk to the fair and stay somewhere other than an ordinary hotel room.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sunborn London
Aloft London Excel
Aloft is three minutes from Prince Regent station, by the east entrance of ExCeL. It has an indoor pool, a sauna, a gym and a restaurant.
A good choice when your stand is at the east end of the centre, and you want a swim before the day begins.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Aloft London Excel
A couple of stops away
TRIBE London Canary Wharf
TRIBE is five minutes from Canary Wharf station, one stop from Custom House on the Elizabeth line. It has a restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
Good if you want restaurants and bars by the water in the evening, and a short trip to ExCeL in the morning.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at TRIBE London Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit has apartments with their own kitchens, six minutes from Canary Wharf station. It suits a week-long fair when you want to make your own breakfast.
A good choice for teams staffing a stand over several days.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
InterContinental London The O2
The InterContinental is on the Greenwich Peninsula, and the cable car takes you across the river to the Royal Docks. It has a spa, an indoor pool and three restaurants.
Good if you want to stay in comfort and combine the fair with a concert at The O2.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at InterContinental London The O2
Meeting rooms on board
Sunborn London has its own meeting rooms, right by ExCeL. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Before you book
Book early: During big fairs the hotels around ExCeL fill up and prices rise. Book as soon as you know the dates.
Choose free cancellation: Plans for exhibition teams often change, so it helps to be able to cancel.
Check the entrance: ExCeL is long. See which entrance is closest to your stand or hall before choosing a hotel.
Stay in the City instead: For more life in the evening, the Elizabeth line runs from Liverpool Street to Custom House in about fifteen minutes.
To stay in the financial district, see hotels in the City of London and Canary Wharf. Landing at Heathrow? See the Heathrow and Gatwick airport hotels.
Editor's pick
Sunborn London
Sunborn London is the hotel for a trade fair trip when you want to walk to ExCeL. The yacht hotel is moored on the quay in Royal Victoria Dock, and Custom House station is six minutes away. On board there is a restaurant and bar with views of Canary Wharf, and guests give the breakfast a lot of praise. After a long day on the stand, it is good to come home to a ship.
Frequently asked questions about hotels near ExCeL London
Which hotel is closest to ExCeL London?
Sunborn London is moored on Royal Victoria Dock, right by ExCeL, and Aloft London Excel is by the east entrance. Both are within walking distance of the halls. Sunborn is a yacht hotel with a restaurant and bar, while Aloft has an indoor pool. Choose by which entrance is closest to you.
How do you get to ExCeL London?
Take the Elizabeth line to Custom House by the west entrance, or the DLR to Prince Regent by the east entrance. The Elizabeth line runs from Paddington, Bond Street, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf, and some trains run from Heathrow. Pay with a contactless card. Arrive early on opening day, as the queue at the entrance is long.
Is it better to stay in Canary Wharf than by ExCeL?
It depends on what you want. By ExCeL you walk to the fair, but the area is quiet in the evening. Canary Wharf is one stop away on the Elizabeth line and has restaurants and bars by the water. Many exhibition teams stay in Canary Wharf and reach ExCeL in minutes.
How long does it take from central London to ExCeL?
From Liverpool Street the Elizabeth line takes about fifteen minutes to Custom House. From Bond Street and Paddington it takes a little longer. The DLR from Bank takes longer, with more stops. In the rush hour on opening day, allow extra time for queues at the entrance.
When should I book a hotel for a fair at ExCeL?
As soon as you know the dates. During the biggest fairs, hotels around ExCeL and in Canary Wharf fill up and prices rise. Choose free cancellation if the team is not settled yet. If everything near ExCeL is full, the City of London is a good alternative, with the Elizabeth line straight out.