Londons

THERE’S nothing worse than trying to get some sleep, only to have some noisy neighbours making noise outside your window.

Enter Zedwell – a hotel that has underground rooms promising the best nights sleep.

There are a number of Zedwell hotels across London (and plans to open in Oxford, York and Manchester).

It’s just a three minute walk from the main Tottenham Court Road Underground, which was a direct train from London Heathrow.

So after a long overnight flight with very little sleep, the easy journey from the airport was extremely welcome.

On arrival, I was greeted with a tiny lift, having to go down four floors before even making it to reception.

SO SUITE

I stayed at one of London’s newest cheap hotels and paid just £29pp a night

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There’s both staff or self-check in, as well as a main communal area with tables and chairs, but with a quick beep of a button, I had my key card.

It is a bit disconcerting at first, being surrounded by industrial metal beams and white concrete pillars that appeared to be holding the place up.

Yet my ‘Cocoon’ – one of 206 rooms at this hotel – was exactly what I was looking for.

A huge double bed, cosy yellow lighting, and my own, albeit compact, ensuite bathroom complete with towels and toiletries.

Oh yes, and no window at all.

I was worried at first of my claustrophobia making this a difficult night, but I was surprised by how it didn’t affect me.

While there are no TVs (leaning into the great sleep) there was WiFi so after a much-needed shower, I settled into bed to watch a quick bit of Netflix before almost instantly passing out.

The only noise? The occasional comforting rumble of a London Underground train passing by above.

The only downside is that I like to be woken up by natural light, something that obviously wasn’t doable here.

But this might be the most peaceful stay I’ve ever had at a London hotel, especially one so central.

So if you simply want an affordable base in the capital that is near all the sights, and the best nights sleep ever.

I’ll happily head back into my cosy cocoon.

Due to being a no frills hotel, there is no restaurant but there is a vending machine, or you can pay £18.90 extra for breakfast at the nearby 24-hour VQ restaurant.

And of course, every restaurant and fast food chain you can think of is on your doorstep too.

Other additional fees include luggage storage, ranging from £15-£80, or early and late check ins from £40 to £60.

Here’s what it is also like to sleep in Zedwell’s pod hotel, which starts from £30 each.

And we found London’s newest cheap hotel where rooms are £40 each.

FANCY a classic sightseeing trip to London? I’ve found the best way to take in the city’s breath-taking skyline.

Us Brits are lucky to have a fantastic capital city which packs in fascinating landmarks, futuristic skyscrapers, and majestic bridges as well as historical 11th century buildings which still stand today.

Book a River Thames Lunch Cruise – ON SALE for £38 (was £53)

And if you’re planning a trip to London anytime soon, there’s one sightseeing experience you won’t want to miss.

City Cruises have a range of Thames sightseeing cruises which let you take in the London city skyline from the water from an open-air deck or swanky indoor lounge.

You can pick from a classic sightseeing cruise, which starts from only £15 per adult and £10.25 per child, or treat yourself to a Jazz, Elvis tribute or even a Murder Mystery cruise.

I decided to try out the London Lunch Cruise on the River Thames, which is the most popular option that City Cruises offer.

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Not only is this the most popular experience, but it’s currently on sale – down to £38 a ticket instead of £53. That’s the cheapest lunchtime cruise on the River Thames we could find.

Considering you get a fancy two-course meal, panoramic views of London’s top landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, plus expert commentary – this is one hell of a bargain.

The tour starts by stepping onboard at the Tower Millennium Pier, a central spot that’s easy to get to by taking the underground to Tower Hill.

I stepped onboard to find a very spacious cabin, with a sleek downstairs dining area dotted with white tablecloths, plus an upper deck that’s perfect for making use of in sunny weather.

Lots of guests around me were celebrating birthdays or special occasions, dressed up to the nines snapping shots for Instagram or family photos.

And this is certainly the place to take pictures, with flattering golden sunlight pouring in through the windows, plus landmarks like Tower Bridge, The Shard and Big Ben as your backdrop.

Book a River Thames Lunch Cruise – ON SALE for £38 (was £53)

As it turns out, the food onboard was just as impressive as the views.

I only waited around 15 minutes from being seated until my main course arrived – and the presentation of the dish was Masterchef-worthy.

There are two options for your main course: a vegetarian cassoulet with oyster mushrooms and white beans, or a roasted supreme of chicken with fondant potatoes and veg.

I went for the latter, and was blown away by the rich creamy mushroom sauce and the cheesy fondant potato. The decadent dish would have wowed me in a high-end restaurant, let alone on a Thames cruise.

After a short rest came dessert – a baked cheesecake with a gooey white chocolate centre and a heavy drizzle of tart raspberry coulis, plus tea or coffee. Could you picture a more perfect pudding?

With a full belly and warm coffee in hand, there’s nothing left to do but lean back and watch London glide past your window

The route takes you from the pier across to Canary Wharf, where you can admire the futuristic skyline and spot six of the UK’s 10 tallest buildings.

From here you’ll turn back around and head all the way towards Big Ben.

This is when the commentary begins, so you’ll soak up centuries of London history along the way. I recommend heading up to the deck for the best views.

You’ll glide under nine magnificent bridges including Tower Bridge, London Bridge and – my favourite – the Wibbly Wobbly bridge (AKA Milennium Bridge).

You’ll also get up-close with the bright red pillars of the lost 18th century Blackfriars Bridge which jut out from the water.

Plus you’ll cruise under “Ladies’ Bridge” – the unofficial nickname of Waterloo Bridge, which was built largely by women during World War II.

It was fascinating to see historic landmarks nestled in-between glossy modern offices and huge skyscrapers.

One of these impressive slices of history is Cleopatra’s Needle – the oldest structure in London. The obelisk was built in 1450 BC, and made its way over to London from Egypt in 1878.

Finally you’ll pass spots like the Globe Theatre and the London Eye until you reach the Houses of Parliament – stop for a quick selfie – then it’s back to the pier.

Although I live in London, I left feeling like I’d learned so much about my city that I didn’t even before, thanks to the knowledgeable tour guide.

Overall, the lunch cruise was a fantastic way to pack in sightseeing, fascinating history, and a delicious meal into one relaxing experience.

Plus when you step off, you’ve got the Tower of London, Borough Market and more on your doorstep to continue ticking off the best of London.

Click below to browse City Cruises‘ options, starting from £15 for a sightseeing cruise.

Browse City Cruises’ experiences – starting at £15 per adult

Prices correct at the time of publication.

POD hotels the latest hotel trend taking over – and another one has just landed in the UK’s capital.

Also known as capsule hotels, Japan started the trend back in the late 1970s.

The main idea? Maximise space at the hotel and cut costs – and for guests this means a cheaper stay.

Otherwander has just opened in the very heart of Soho, approximately 30 seconds away from Oxford Street’s Elizabeth Line entrance.

As far as location goes, you can’t get much better with most of London‘s top spots within walking distance.

Stepping inside, I felt as if I had entered a swanky London office with a huge multicoloured LED screen and clinical white entry gates.

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Before you arrive, Otherwander will send you a text with your pod (or nest as they like to call them) number as well as email you your Wanderpass, which is essentially your key to everything – getting into the hotel, getting into the lift, getting into your dorm and getting into your own nest.

You then use your Wanderpass to get through these gates.

Once on the other side, you’ll find the social area – which for a budget hotel is both surprisingly big and stylish (more on this space later).

To get to the floors with the pods – all 566 of them – you hop in the lift – once again scanning your Wanderpass.

Each floor is separated into different ‘dorms’, each packed with about 40 nests (which makes finding your own feel a little like going on a treasure hunt).

Once I eventually found my dorm and entered, it felt like a corridor of lockers, with the square doors actually being the doors to each nest.

When you book, you can opt between an upper or lower pod; I opted for an upper pod, which feels more like climbing into a UFO.

You can also choose between a double (£80 per night or £40 per person, per night) or a single (£70 per night).

I was surprised to find my upper double not boxy nor claustrophobic, despite being only the width of a standard double bed.

On either side of the bed is a handy elasticated pocket for your phone or book, with a USB and USB-C charging point next to each as well.

Down one side of the bed, you’ll find the air conditioning control system and lighting options including a reading light, night light and even surprise option, mine was colour-changing so ideal for post-club vibes.

You’ll also find a shelf, complete with a strap to secure your backpack or cabin-sized suitcase and three hooks for coats, jackets or towels.

On the other wall, the final feature is a rail with two towels on – though if you want another, you can rent one from a vending machine in the corridor, for £5 a time.

There is also a slight design flaw – a handy ‘wet tray’ is great for your shoes but if you pop your water bottle in its designated slot, you block the door from opening or closing.

As for the bed itself, while it a bit firm, was comfortable and the bedding felt as plush as you get in a more premium hotel.

The pod room didn’t feel stuffy either, despite the small space thanks to a high-tech purifying system too.

As for the door, it self-locks when you shut and on the back there is a small mirror, which was ideal for doing my makeup in the morning, as well as a QR code in case you need to communicate with staff.

If you start to feel a bit claustrophobic, there is a small window in the door with a shutter for privacy.

Being a pod hotel, don’t expect your own private bathroom.

You’ll have to head out to the main corridor on your floor where you’ll find men’s, women’s and mixed-gender bathrooms.

The real test of this came at 3am when I had to crawl out of my pod backwards down the ladder and shuffle to the toilet, awaking all the motion-sensored lights and having to open my phone with blurry eyes, just to scan my Wanderpass to get back in.

The bathrooms do feel like a slice of luxury though, with terrazzo- style tiles lining the sinks and walls and music being played from the ceiling.

Each rain shower has heaps of room, so your items are safe from getting wet and there’s also free soap and shampoo.

Vanity areas are then kitted out with hairdryers and shaving sockets.

If you fancy being social, back downstairs you’ll find the hotel’s ‘guest-exclusive social hub’ with warm yellow lighting adding a glow to the space and complementing the burnt orange modular sofas.

It is the ideal space to hang out with other guests, work or even snuggle into a corner with a book – which you can pick up from shelves around the space.

There are even plans for live DJ drop ins in the future.

Fancy a pint? The back wall features several vending machines full of everything you could possibly want – even Moet champagne.

There are also a couple of coffee machines and if you have forgotten something, there’s even a vending machine with essentials from make- up wipes and deodorant to umbrellas and Uno cards.

If you have bigger luggage you don’t want to store in your nest, there are lockers you can rent on site.

The funky design throughout and clever lighting really does make you feel as if you are in a luxury space ship.

At no point did I feel like I was steps away from the busiest street in the UK as it was completely silent (albeit there were very few guests in my dorm, so this might be different on busier days).

But while the hotel is a huge bargain, the rise of pod hotels in the city means there are other options that pip it to the post when it comes to being the cheapest in the city.

If sharing a double with someone, £40 each isn’t terrible – but £70 for a single pod – which obviously are much smaller – seems rather steep.

Other alternatives in London include a single pod at Zedwell’s Capsule Hotel in Piccadilly for £32, while a double room with an ensuite and breakfast included at Zedwell Soho for £77.

Not only that, but if you have a large suitcase (which many tourists do) the price will increase to pay for it to be stored.

If you fancy the novelty of a pod hotel – go for it – but if you are wanting to save cash, I think you can find better bargains elsewhere.