It’s hard to miss the Good Hotel, floating on the water of the London Docklands. On a dark night, the words that form its name shimmer in white neon above the river. It stands out from the homogeneous corporate skyscrapers and offices lining the streets nearby.
It looks different and it is different. Unlike neighbouring Novotel and Ibis chain hotels, its profits don’t go to the company’s owners or shareholders, they go back into the business, which offers training and jobs to long-term unemployed people in the local community.
From the outside it looks like a giant, black shipping container, with green astroturf on the roof and small, square windows. But step inside and the design and atmosphere immediately reflect the community ethos. The ground floor is open plan: called the “living room”, it’s a bar, reception and library in one – a lounging area with communal tables that encourage groups to sit, eat and chat together. A sign on the wall reads: “Create beauty, do good.” The minimalist, slick industrial decor (lots of black and white and grey, with wooden tables dotted about) is tempered by snug, dimly lit corners, with sofas and comfy-looking cushions. “The idea is that local people or freelancers can just wander in, sit down, set up their laptops and work,” says marketing manager Marie. “It’s a real space for people to come together.”
The floating platform was transported by submersible barge over the North Sea, from Amsterdam, where founder Marten Dresen had launched the concept – originally for 12 months. It came to London (a short walk from Royal Victoria station on the DLR) in November and will stay for five years.
In the Netherlands, around 100 long-term unemployed received hospitality training. They were offered three-month contracts at the end (they could stay for longer if they needed to) or were helped to find work elsewhere. In London, working with the borough of Newham, the Good Hotel’s plan is to train 15 new people every three months.
We head upstairs to our cosy room, one of 148: it reminds me of a nautical cabin – compact, with a low ceiling. But rather than a small porthole we look out through an expansive window onto a frosty-looking Thames, where ducks and fearless (crazy?) swimmers brave the water. The room is small (there are two room sizes – 13 and 30 square metres), and the bathroom door doubles as a shower door, but it doesn’t feel cramped.
In the spirit of sharing, the restaurant menu is largely tapas and small plate based, courtesy of Spanish chef Miguel. We try a plate of sweet potato fries with okra, meat and vegetable balls, stuffed aubergine and a giant vegetarian protein burger in an impressive black bean bun. It’s all tasty and reasonably priced (the burger is £11), and they also offer a variety of sandwiches for around £8.
But it’s the atmosphere that makes this place special – it all feels very un-London, with a laid-back vibe. Afterwards we lounge on a sofa by the bar, before dragging ourselves to bed (from where the views over the water are great), where we sleep soundly.
Breakfast offers fluffy croissants and pastries, Greek yoghurt and porridge. Outside, London looks cold and misty. On my way home I find myself thinking how nice it is that community ventures like this exist in our increasingly corporate-looking capital.
• Accommodation was provided by Good Hotel (0759 630 1537, goodhotellondon.com, rooms from £80 a night, breakfast from £13.50)
Ask a local
Angela Dunn, owner Bow Creek cafe
• Shop
Royal Victoria has its charm, but there’s not a lot going on there. Greenwich isn’t too far away though, and it has a wonderful indoor market, selling everything from original artworks to antiques and food.
• Drink
A really nice traditional pub with a fire is The Gun. It’s not too far a walk from Royal Victoria and has views of the O2 arena.
• Eat
In Royal Victoria there’s a lovely restaurant called Nakhon Thai. It’s on the water and in the summer you can watch people wakeboarding as you eat. The Grocer is a little Italian on City Island, with an espresso bar and grocery store.
• Do
You can take the cable car from Royal Victoria dock to the 02, where there’s a bowling alley, cinema, pubs, restaurants, sculpture and art installations. Weather permitting, you can do water sports, such as wakeboarding, in Royal Victoria dock, right next to the hotel. As for live music, we have acoustic musicians playing most evenings in our cafe.
