Housed in an unremarkable red brick corner building, this budget hotel focuses on functionality -- while squeezing in a little hipness. The lobby is neat and bright, with soft contemporary seating and London-themed photographic art. The sleek, modern reception desk merges into a snack bar, giving the space a gas station feel, though wooden floors leads to an impressively large terraced garden with decking and small coffee shop. The vibe is efficient, and bordering on impersonal, attracting budget travelers and business guests with meetings in the area, who require little beyond somewhere to rest their head for the night.

This Point A hotel is located on a quaint, cobbled side street between bustling Liverpool Street and trendy Shoreditch in East London. Spitalfields Market and Commercial Street are just two blocks away, while the transport hub of Liverpool Street Station is a five-minute walk away. Famous for its curry houses, Brick Lane is under 10 minutes away on foot, while the attractive Water Poet pub serves food directly opposite the hotel.

Most of the 183 rooms are bright and clean with simple contemporary decor, basic wood furnishings, and laminated wood floors. 52 of the rooms, however, are windowless and not recommended for those of claustrophobic disposition (but are significantly cheaper). All rooms include hairdryers, flat-screen smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms with high-pressure showers. Housekeeping only comes every third day and the hotel is located over an underground tube line, so some lower level rooms can experience light rumbling.

The most impressive feature of this hotel is its surprisingly large (especially for London) rear garden with canopy-covered coffee shack. Besides this, however, there is little else in the way of facilities, except a two-terminal Internet corner and small lobby snack and coffee bar. None of the features are included with the price. It may be worth comparing rates for a private room at YHA London Central for a warmer atmosphere.