London City DoubleTree by Hilton London ExCel Spotting Hotel

If you’re looking for a spotting hotel with views of London City, the DoubleTree by Hilton London Excel is a great option.

Located next to the ExCel exhibition and conference centre opposite the airport in London’s Docklands. You may have previously known this hotel as the Ramada.

The hotel has six floors and offers the usual comfortable and professional standard expected by Hilton’s DoubleTree brand. It is aimed at business and casual visitors, and targeted particularly at those using the airport or visiting the conference centre next door.

The Views

For the best views you need to be on the top floor, and in an even-numbered room. Ask for one facing the airport and the staff should be able to help you out.

From these rooms you have a view over the dock and the airport, with the threshold of runway 09. Aircraft approaching this runway will pass by the room, and any departing runway 27 will also pass, albeit at a higher level.

You can also see the main parking apron and the smaller executive aircraft parking apron at the western end.

Aircraft on the ground are too far away to photograph, but you might get some good shots of those approaching runway 09, and with good binoculars you should be able to identify most aircraft fairly easily.