Review of ibis Styles London Croydon 3*

In general, a poor version of a Ibis Styles hotel and there is no way I would say this is a 3 star standard compared to what I have seen at Ibis Styles in France, for less cost. Located in a deprived, high crime area and just because it is in 'London', Ibis are really taking the p*ss! -My lovely 'check-in' female receptionist was excellent, really friendly and helpful. Afternoon and evening male reception staff, unfriendly and disinterested in their role. -Parking area was a good facility as the road outside is mad, at all times with traffic so parking out there is a no-no. — The price of the bar food was very reasonable and pretty good standard. — Breakfast was of a poor standard compared to Ibis Styles I have stayed at in France. Just very bland and unimaginative as a continental breakfast. And they clear away far too fast, even if you have just gone for another cup of coffee? — The bar and breakfast area looks like an Ikea store the decorations are so cold, unwelcoming and austere. Just does not encourage you to spend time there relaxing, as you just do not feel relaxed. It is like a M & S cafe feel rather than a lounge bar. — My room had one window, restricted opening for ventilation and this opened out onto the area where the staff stand to have a smoke, at all hours of day. The smoke enters the room which is not great for a non-smoker. Why doesn't the hotel provide a proper shelter away from the hotel for the staff to stand in? — During my second day, I left my room for 5 minutes and when I came back my room door card no longer worked. They carried out a security interview before validating again. Talk about not making your customers life easy while staying there, completely unnecessary check by a jobsworth security guard/ receptionist/duty manager on duty with nothing else to do with his time than make customers come back to the reception to get their card zapped.