Key details

About the Hotel

169-171 Commercial Road, London, E1 2DA

Close to the Tower of London

Great

8.6

8.9

/10

4.8

4.4

Loved by Aptel East guests

Fantastic staff

Clean space

Comfortable bed

Quiet room

"Very handy to have a studio kitchen as well as a bed that was one of the most comfortable I've come across away from home."

Lucy from United Kingdom

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"Room was large and well equipped."

caroline m from Switzerland

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"The surrounding area is filled with restaurants and supermarkets, and public transportation (buses and trains) is just a short walk away."

EmadEddin

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Aptel East: Self-catering aparthotel in London with Aldgate East access

Accommodations

Aptel East offers 32 rooms and suites, including Superior Studios and Family Suites, each with a self-catering kitchenette. Every unit provides a private bathroom with a monsoon shower and spa-quality toiletries. The building is designed with energy-efficient systems and soundproofed rooms as part of a sustainable construction.

Amenities

The property operates a 24-hour reception with concierge services, express check-in and check-out, and complimentary luggage storage. Guests have access to daily housekeeping and a safety deposit box for personal valuables. A lift and accessibility options are available, and the entire building is secured with key card entry at multiple access points.

Location

Aptel East is located 1.7 km from the Tower of London and a short walk from Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. Aldgate East tube station and Whitechapel station are both within a 10-minute walk, providing access to the District, Hammersmith & City, and Elizabeth lines. London City Airport is 9 km from the hotel, and the number 15 bus stops directly across the street.

Family-Friendly Accommodations

The hotel offers Family Studios and Family Suites that accommodate groups of four or more guests in a single unit. Each family room includes a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator, plus a dining area for shared meals. The property provides a secure environment with CCTV in common areas and 24-hour staff on site.

Guest Services

The 24-hour front desk handles requests such as early check-in, late check-out, and additional bedding or towels. On-site staff can provide local recommendations for restaurants and transport. The cafe next door offers a 10% discount to hotel guests on pastries and hot drinks.

Highlights

Location: Aldgate East tube station within 10-minute walk

Rooms: 32 self-catering studios and family suites

Security: Key card access at multiple building points

Guest Services: 24-hour reception with luggage storage

Sustainability: Energy-efficient building design

Family: Family suites with kitchenettes and dining areas

“The sustainable building houses modern, fully serviced apartments, making it a comfortable base near Aldgate East. I found the self-catering facilities particularly appealing for longer stays, suiting both families and business travelers. It's a secure spot with warm hospitality, though the immediate area has a distinct urban vibe that might not suit all tastes.”

Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included

Family Room Terrace
2 persons
325 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed and 1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Standard Studio
2 persons
195 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Family Studio
2 persons
270 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed and 1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones

Facilities: Great

8.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Dining

Outdoor dining area

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Soundproofed rooms
Sitting area
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Parquet floor

Aptel East Location

169-171 Commercial Road, London, E1 2DA

Map view

City landmarks

Castle

Tower of London

1.1 mi

Harbour

Tower Bridge

1.1 mi

Market

Borough Market

1.4 mi

Landmark

London Eye

2.6 mi

Museum

The British Museum

2.8 mi

Park

Sky Garden

1.1 mi

Garden

Buckingham Palace

3.6 mi

Gallery

Tate Modern

1.7 mi

Church

Saint Paul's Cathedral

1.6 mi

Bridge

London Bridge

1.2 mi

Landmark

The Shard

1.3 mi

Monument

Monument to the Great Fire of London

1.5 mi

Mosque

Brick Lane

4000 ft

Landmark

The View from The Shard

1.3 mi

Landmark

Limehouse

1.3 mi

Museum

Museum of London

1.5 mi

Nearby

St. Georges Town Hall 236 Cable Street

Cable Street Mural

1900 ft

Restaurants

Tayyabs

1400 ft

83 Fieldgate Street Whitechapel

Area 52

176 Commercial Road

Lahore One Restaurant

500 ft

218 Commercial Road

Sahara Grill Whitechapel

700 ft

49-53 New Road

Tiffin

400 ft

165 Cannon Street Road

Dilpasand Restaurant

700 ft

111-113 Commercial Road

Ruyam

700 ft

230 Commercial Road

Madina Grill

800 ft

135 Cannon Street Road Whitechapel

Safran Grill

1000 ft

83 New Road

Creams Cafe Whitechapel

1100 ft

Rai House 89-99 New Road Whitechapel

Mr. White's English Chophouse

1300 ft

103-107 New Road

Explore London

Local Highlights Near Aptel East

Tower of London

25 minutes' walk

Historic castle and UNESCO site, known for the Crown Jewels and guided tours that share its rich history.

Borough Market

25 minutes' walk

Vibrant food market featuring local produce, gourmet street food, and artisan goods; a foodie's paradise.

Sky Garden

25 minutes' walk

Public garden with stunning panoramic views of London; offers free entry with prior booking investment.

St Paul's Cathedral

30 minutes' walk

Iconic architectural masterpiece, renowned for its stunning dome; offers tours highlighting its remarkable art.

Cable Street Mural

10 minutes' walk

Fascinating outdoor art installation celebrating cultural diversity; a free and vibrant experience.

Trinity Square Gardens

15 minutes' walk

Serene park ideal for a leisurely stroll, picnics, or quiet reflection amidst historical landmarks.

Thames River Cruise

10 minutes' drive

Exciting boat rides along the Thames, offering a unique view of London's iconic landmarks; booking recommended.

Yoga on the Green

15 minutes' walk

Relaxing outdoor yoga sessions in nearby parks; great for stress relief and available seasonally.

Tayyabs

5 minutes' walk

Renowned for its mouthwatering Pakistani cuisine; known for its delicious grilled meats and vibrant atmosphere.

Area 52

1 minute' walk

Contemporary dining spot specializing in international dishes; offers a stylish vibe and caters to various diets.

Sahara Grill Whitechapel

3 minutes' walk

Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with a warm atmosphere; they offer vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Lahore One Restaurant

2 minutes' walk

Cozy eatery serving traditional Pakistani dishes; favorites include their flavorful biryanis and curries.

Old Spitalfields Market

20 minutes' walk

Dynamic market featuring vintage shops, street food, and local artists; host to events and live music.

The Comedy Store

10 minutes' drive

Famed for stand-up comedy performances; check for family-friendly shows and late-night events.

Brick Lane Music Hall

15 minutes' walk

Unique cabaret venue offering a blend of music, dance, and comedy; tickets recommended for a lively night out.

The O2 Arena

20 minutes' drive

World-class concert venue hosting major artists and events; check the schedule for family-friendly shows.

Tips on navigating the city

City Centre
London 8 min · 2.9 mi
Airports
London City (LCY) 15 min · 5.9 mi
London Heathrow (LHR) 49 min · 20.0 mi
Train
Bethnal Green Railway Station 12 min · 3300 ft
Fenchurch Street Station 16 min · 4300 ft
Underground
Whitechapel 8 min · 2000 ft
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 700 ft

Get access to exclusive early booking discounts for your family’s upcoming getaway

Book now and enjoy exclusive rates on your family vacation!

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

English, Spanish, Czech, Romanian, Polish, Hindi, Bengali, Lithuanian, Slovak

Number of rooms:

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests consistently praise the spacious and clean apartments at Aptel East, often mentioning the well-equipped kitchenette with a microwave, fridge, toaster, and kettle, enhancing the overall convenience. Its location allows for enjoyable walks to landmarks such as Tower Bridge and provides easy access to the city center via nearby tube stations. Some guests have occasionally observed issues with cleanliness, but the majority find the rooms comfortable, especially appreciating features like USB ports and large windows.

Review score

Based on 3 verified reviews

7.2 /10

Very good

100%

Recommend

Staff

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Breakfast

5.5/10

Paid Wi-Fi

7.1/10

Pros

Clean property

Welcoming staff

Convenient location

Cons

Soundproof issues

Small kitchen

Basic facilities

Ivan from Russia

Family with children

Superior Studio

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 28, 2026

6/10

Acceptable, but with issues

refund issue card issue

The staff was very helpful and kind, addressing my needs quickly.

Getting my £50 refund back proved difficult. It required multiple messages over a week. The refund was initially processed to someone else's card. The situation was eventually resolved, but the amount of effort was frustrating.

0 Helpful

adrian from germany

Single

superior studio

4 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 07, 2025

6/10

dirty glassware subpar cleaning

i found the room cleaning to be subpar. there were crumbs on the chairs in the dining area, and i noticed food residue under the microwave. additionally, the glassware was not clean upon arrival. these issues were addressed promptly by the reception staff, but i expected a higher standard initially.

0 Helpful

Benjamin from United Kingdom

Family with children

Superior Studio

6 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: September 07, 2025

9.7/10

Wonderful Studio Stay!

helpful staff convenient location accurate pictures

The staff were REALLY nice and eager to help. It was awesome! Train stations are conveniently located about a 10-minute walk in every direction. The room matched the description and the pictures accurately represent it. We extended our stay and they allowed us to remain in the same room!!!

The lift was out of service. I had to use the stairs to reach the top floor, and this was frustrating throughout my entire stay.

Rooms

9/10

The room décor was lovely, and the space was very clean. It also featured a patio, a great benefit. Its spaciousness added to the positive experience.

Facilities

10/10

The hotel offered easy access to many transport links. It was right next to a tube station. A full range of kitchen utensils were available, including a kettle and microwave. Cups and bowls were also provided for convenience.

Service

10/10

The staff were genuinely nice and assisted us greatly. They provided an adapter converter and promptly replaced our hairdryer when it stopped working. The location was near attractions. We could walk to some interesting places.

0 Helpful

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