While in London, I split my stay between two places. For the first few nights, I stayed with a friend who hosted me in her flat in Camden. After that, I moved over to Kip Hotel in Hackney, where I stayed for five nights.
Location
If I had to pick the 'worst' part of Kip Hotel in London, it would be the location, and even then, it wasn’t really bad. Hackney did feel a little sketchy, and I found myself being more on guard than usual, but nothing ever happened to me. No situations, no close calls. That said, after my trip, I came across TikToks of Londoners saying Hackney isn’t the safest area, so maybe I just got lucky.
The main reason I stayed here was that I wanted to be close enough to the O2 while still finding something affordable that wasn’t a hostel. Most hotels in London easily cost upwards of £100 a night, and I wasn’t too keen on sleeping in a bunk bed with strangers. Kip Hotel ended up being the cheapest option I could find that offered private rooms.
On the plus side, the hotel is well-connected. Both Hackney Central and Hackney Downs Station are only a few minutes’ walk away, making it easy to get around. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, a supermarket, a pharmacy, and even a Sutton & Sons location just five minutes away, which is one of the spots known for serving great fish and chips in London.
Amenities
I booked a small single room, which felt like a step up from a capsule room. It was compact but had everything I needed. The bed was small but surprisingly comfortable, and since I’m on the smaller side, I didn’t feel cramped at all. There was also a desk and chair, a lamp, a TV, and plenty of charging ports by the bed.
Storage was minimal, with just a couple of hooks on the wall, but the under-bed storage was massive. My medium suitcase fit easily, and there was still space to spare.
One of my concerns before checking in was the heat. Many reviews said the rooms could feel stuffy because they don’t have windows, and some claimed the central AC didn’t work well. I messaged the hotel ahead of time and requested a fan, which they happily provided. As it turned out, I didn’t need it. Since I was there in August, past the peak of summer, the room was actually cool at night. But I can imagine it being uncomfortable during hotter months, so I’d think twice about booking here in the middle of summer.
Bathrooms are shared, but I didn’t mind at all. The hotel layout makes it work: from the main hallway, you enter a smaller corridor with six doors: five for rooms and one for the bathroom. That means only five people share each bathroom, which is a pretty good ratio. I never once had to wait.
Bathrooms were fully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. You can request a hairdryer from the front desk, and there’s also free coffee in the lobby.
Cleanliness
The room was spotless when I checked in, and daily cleaning was offered, though you could opt out if you preferred. Bathrooms were also cleaned regularly, and the hotel seemed to take upkeep seriously. There was even a subtle scent lingering in the hallways that made the place feel fresh and welcoming.
Service
The service here was excellent. The staff were responsive when I reached out online before checking in, and in person, they were genuinely accommodating and friendly. Honestly, some of the nicest hotel staff I’ve encountered.
Price
This is where Kip Hotel really shines. Hostels in London range anywhere from £30 to over £100 per night, while hotels usually start around £150 to £200 for something basic. I paid just £50 or less than PHP4000 a night, including taxes and fees, which was an absolute steal. Considering I got a private room, free coffee, toiletries, daily cleaning, and a convenient location, it was unbeatable.
Overall, Kip Hotel in London isn’t perfect. The Hackney location might put some people off, and the rooms could get warm in peak summer, but for the price I paid, it delivered way beyond expectations. If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation in the city without having to share a dorm room, this place is definitely worth considering.
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