Fraser Place Canary Wharf - London, United Kingdom 

Ever been to a place that's clean, comfortable and functional etc, but just didn't feel over the moon to be staying there? Unfortunately, that's what I had with the 'sleeps four' apartment at Fraser Place. Don't get me wrong, it's clean, it's comfortable, the staff are great, and it's in a great location (if you're looking for canary wharf) - but it kinda felt like staying in a cheap new-build apartment. Ok, there were downsides, like a bust toilet lock and window in the second bedroom (so we came 'home' to find the window wide open and the curtains flailing (a nice security risk/feature) which does obviously taint my opinion a little - but it comes down to the thought that as functional and 'standard' as it was - to be honest, I'd have been happier paying the same money for a one room hotel than for a two bedroom, 1 kitchen and 1 living room apartment. And believe me, I'm tight with money - that kinda statement doesn't come cheap (forgive the pun). From what I'm told, the more expensive apartments are a lot better than the ?179 (ish) a night two bedroom apartments - and hopefully they're higher up too (our bedroom was RIGHT next to the walkway from the round (imagine pounding feet one metal at 7 in the morning - and also right next to the road (which, as Canary Wharf has increased security, means a LOT of traffic outside your room from half 6 till 10 in the morning. Of course, it could have been worse, we could have been in the room with the window that opened on its own - THAT could have been a lot noisier... Like I said, staff were great - friendly, helpful (well, they tried to help with the open window thing, but didn't know how to fix it) and the lobby/bar area was great, but between stained carpets in the hallways, and that new build/too many people have been through here smell - it felt a bit like being in student accomadation (where the rooms were nicer than a student hall of course). If asked, I wouldn't go back - but I wouldn't go back on the caveat that if the more expensive rooms weren't a) broken, b) a bit smelly, c) noisy - I'd stay in them. But for sure, room 210 wouldn't be my return destination for London.