Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Bob W Commercial House on Commercial Street, I wasn’t expecting much. The building itself is this converted Victorian warehouse that’s been given a proper modern makeover, and honestly? It works really well. You’re right in the thick of Spitalfields here, which means you’ve got Brick Lane literally around the corner (the curry houses alone make this location worth it), and Liverpool Street station is maybe a seven-minute walk when you’re not dragging luggage behind you.
What actually surprised me about this place is how they’ve managed to keep that industrial warehouse feel without making it feel cold or sterile. The rooms have these high ceilings and big windows – mine overlooked the street, and while Commercial Street isn’t exactly quiet, it’s not the kind of traffic noise that keeps you up all night. More like the gentle hum of East London doing its thing. The design is sort of minimalist but not in that “we forgot to put furniture in here” way. Everything feels intentional, you know? The beds are proper comfortable (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms are surprisingly spacious for London standards. They’ve got these rainfall showers that actually have decent pressure, which – if you’ve stayed in enough London hotels – you’ll know is not a given.
Here’s what I really appreciated: the staff actually know the neighborhood. When I asked about getting to Borough Market, the guy at reception didn’t just point me toward the Tube – he told me about the weekend food stalls at Spitalfields Market that are a two-minute walk away. Smart. The whole vibe is relaxed without being chaotic, professional without feeling stuffy. Check-in was smooth, they store luggage without making a fuss about it, and the WiFi actually works throughout the building (tested it in the lobby, room, and even the hallways because I’m paranoid like that). The only minor thing I’d mention is that rooms facing the street can get a bit of light from the streetlamps, but honestly, you’re in Zone 1 London – if you wanted countryside quiet, you probably wouldn’t be staying here anyway. It’s the kind of place that gets the balance right between location, comfort, and not completely destroying your budget, which in this part of London is basically winning the hotel lottery.