London: Holiday Inn Camden Lock

London: Holiday Inn, Camden Lock

14/6/2016

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England | Review | Tily Travels.

I always make a point of spending at least one night in the heart of Camden each time I visit London. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Camden Lock 4 times - in 2012, 2013 & 2016...

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - the hotel exterior - Tily Travels

Hotel exterior. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

A view of Camden Market from my penthouse balcony.

A view of Camden Lock and the recently demolished
Camden Lock Village from my penthouse balcony.

HOLIDAY INN, CAMDEN LOCK

A hotel which for sentimental reasons I have a fond affection for, Holiday Inn, Camden Lock was the very first hotel I checked into when embarking on my first solo, international journey and where my London and travel adventures began back in 2012.

I always make a point of spending at least one night in the heart of Camden each time I visit London.

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Camden Lock 4 times - in 2012, 2013 & 2016, and I would stay again in the future. The first 2 times I booked a standard room (street facing) for just myself, 3rd time, a standard double room (street facing) was reserved for myself and my best friend. Most recently, upon check-in was upgraded to the penthouse suite (with a huge corner balcony overlooking the Camden Lock and Camden Market) for free.

I was so happy about being upgraded, it definitely placed a larger smile on my already smiling face, especially since believing it would be impossible after the notorious 'projectile vomit' episode of 2012. The infamous morning that I awoke to my room covered in my best friends, pink 'Ben and Jerry's ice cream, wine, beer & vodka' vomit covering my hotel room and linens. Maybe the £99 ($192.50 AUD) room cleaning fee plus the flowers and chocolates for the cleaning staff went further than we thought.

Vomit aside, if you did have a huge night in Camden Town, the Holiday Inn have a fantastic buffet breakfast to help restore your body and give you a great start to the huge day ahead.

Check-in time starts 2:00 PM
Check-out by 11:00 AM

A panoramic view of the Camden Market and Camden Lock from my penthouse balcony (2016)

FEATURES & AMENITIES

★★★★ (A pool short of being 5 stars)

HOTEL FACILITIES

> Babysitting or
     childcare
> Car park
> Coffee shop or café
> Concierge services
> Conference center
> Dry cleaning/laundry service
> Elevator/lift
> Express check-in /
   out
> Fax machine
> Hotel bar
> Internet access/ WiFi

> Gym/ Fitness
   facilities
>  Laundry facilities
> Lounge with fireplace
> Luggage storage
   > Non-smoking rooms
> Number of floors 5
> PC's with internet
   > Photocopy machines
> Hotel safe
> Porter/bellhop
> Restaurant
> Room service (24 hr)
> Safe-deposit box

> Secretarial services
> Security guard
> Shoe shine
> Smoke-free property
> Suitable for children
> Television in lobby
> Room total = 130
   > Tour assistance
> Tours/ticket
   assistance
> Wedding services
> Wheelchair
   accessible

ROOM FACILITIES

> Air conditioning
> Alarm clock
   > Balcony or balconette
> Bathrobes
> Bathroom:
     shower over bath
(standard & executive
     rooms)
> Bathroom: separate
bathtub & shower
(penthouse suites)
> Cable/satellite TV
> Central heating

> Clock radio
> Cosmetic mirror
   > Coffee/tea making
   facilities
   > Complimentary
   toiletries
> Desk
> Hair dryer
> In-room safe
> WiFi
> Iron/ironing board
> Minibar

> Non-smoking rooms
only
> Pay movies
> Private bathroom
> Satellite television
     service
> Shower only
> Shower/bathtub
combo
> Telephone
> Trouser press
> Window opens

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - the reception area - Tily Travels

Reception area. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - the lounge area - Tily Travels

Lounge area. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

LOCATION

★★★★★

If you love the bustle of Camden then the hotel is in a fantastic location, its fantastic being able to step outside and know you're only within 100 meters from Camden high street and right across the bridge from the market, yet in a quiet enough spot that you can get a good night sleep.

WiFi

★★★★

> WiFi available in rooms for a small fee.
> Free WiFi available is available in the Lobby and Penthouse Suites.
The WiFi signal is strong here and I have never had any issues. The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star rating is the fact that if staying in a standard or executive room and wishing to access wifi inside your room, you must pay a small fee.

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - restaurant - Tily Travels

Restaurant. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - business centre - Tily Travels

Business centre. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

COMFORT

★★★★

LOUNGE/ BAR I always feel very cozy and welcome here whenever I stay as it is starting to feel like a home away from home for me. The faux fireplace in the lounge area certainly adds a cozy warmth to the lobby, which makes it very hard to stand up from the couch after a couple of wines by the fire in the middle of winter.
ROOMS The pillows on the beds are super comfy and come in different variations so you can select the perfect one for you.

ACCOMMODATION

★★★★

Every room I have stayed in has been clean, modern and comfortable. The rooms are a decent size and do not feel cramped. I have never had any issues with any of my rooms whilst staying here.

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - the lounge area and electric fireplace - Tily Travels

Lounge area with electric fireplace.
(Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

Penthouse suite bed.

CLEANLINESS

★★★★★

This hotel is spotless, the rooms I have reserved have always been immaculate, en-suites hygienic and the hotel common areas are highly attended and maintained.

STAFF

★★★★

The staff are very friendly and happy to help you with whatever you need. I've personally needed the concierge to print out travel documents for me each visit and they have been more than happy to oblige.

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - the bar/ lounge area - Tily Travels

Bar/ Lounge area. (Photo via hicamdenlock.co.uk)

Holiday Inn Camden Lock, London, England - selfies in the lounge area - Tily Travels

Selfies in the lounge before departing.

SECURITY

★★★★★

> Electronic key/lock
> Uniformed security
> Surveillance Cameras on site
> Smoke Alarm & sprinkler in rooms
I have always felt very safe at this hotel. The front door (positioned right in front of the reception desk) is always locked at night time and if your face is unfamiliar to the night staff they will ask for your name and room number upon entry.