Residence Inn London Downtown Review: Spacious Suites, Strong Breakfast & a Full Circle Stay

This Residence Inn London Downtown review starts with a full-circle stay at a hotel my family used to visit years ago.

Back then, the Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown was one of those family road trip hotels we kept coming back to. My family stayed here during summer trips, Michigan stopovers, and different events in London.

But this time was different.

I wasn’t just coming back as a kid on a family trip. I was coming back as This Teen Travelz to see if this hotel still holds up from a teen perspective.

This was also a hosted stay, meaning the hotel covered the cost of our overnight visit. But as always, this Residence Inn London Downtown review is still based on my honest teen perspective — what worked, what stood out, and who I think this hotel is actually best for.

Residence Inn London Downtown Review: Arrival & First Impressions

Arriving at this hotel brought back a lot of good memories.

We pulled up in front of the hotel, walked inside, and the front desk was right near the entrance. Jose Diaz checked us in, answered our questions, and then we went back to park in the underground parking below the hotel.

The main floor is simple and easy to navigate, which honestly fits this hotel well.

When you walk in, the hotel market and luggage carts are on the left, and the front desk is on the right. Just past the reception area, there’s a small seating nook with a table and chairs, plus a few comfy chairs before you reach the elevators.

Toward the back of the hotel, you’ll find the breakfast area and breakfast seating. I’ve always liked that space because it gets a lot of natural light in the morning, which makes breakfast feel brighter and more relaxed.

The lobby is not huge or flashy, but it works. It feels clean, practical, and easy — which is exactly what you want from a downtown London Ontario hotel that’s built more for space, longer stays, and road trips than luxury.

Room Tour: A Spacious Suite That Feels Like a Small Apartment

In this Residence Inn London Downtown review, the suite setup is easily one of the biggest reasons the hotel works so well.

For this stay, we were in a 1 Bedroom Suite with 1 King Bed and a Sofa Bed on the 11th floor.

And right away, this is where the Residence Inn setup really starts to make sense.

When you first walk into the room, there’s a hallway that connects you to the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and main living room area. I really like this layout because it doesn’t feel like a typical hotel room. It feels more like a small apartment.

That’s one of the reasons this hotel worked so well for my family over the years. When we stayed here when I was younger, we weren’t all squeezed into one standard room. There was actual space to move around, relax, eat, and hang out.

The main living area was large and bright, with lots of windows. There was a high-top table with seating for four, which is great if you’re eating in the room, doing work, editing, playing games, or just needing somewhere to sit that isn’t the bed.

The living room also had an armchair, a large TV, a desk, and an L-shaped couch with a sofa bed inside it. There was also a set of drawers for extra storage, which is useful if you’re staying longer than one night or travelling with family.

Full Kitchen Setup

The kitchen is one of the biggest reasons this room works.

You get a full-sized fridge, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, cabinets, and basic kitchen items. That is a major difference compared to a regular hotel room.

If you’re looking for a London Ontario hotel with a kitchen, this is where the Residence Inn setup really makes sense.

For families, road trippers, longer stays, or anyone grabbing food from somewhere like Covent Garden Market, having a real kitchen makes the room way more useful. You can bring food back, store leftovers, heat things up, or even make something simple instead of eating out every time.

Bedroom, Bathroom & Sofa Bed

The bedroom was bright and had a king bed, a decent-sized TV, and even a robe and slippers, which was a nice touch.

The separate bedroom is a big deal too. If you’re travelling as a family, one person can be in the bedroom while someone else is watching TV, using the desk, or sleeping on the sofa bed in the living room. That separation makes the suite feel much more comfortable than a normal hotel room.

The bathroom had a stand-up shower, and both the water temperature and water pressure were good.

For this stay, I slept on the sofa bed, and I can report that I got a decent night’s rest. Sofa beds can be hit or miss, especially in hotels, but this one worked fine for a one-night stay.

Overall, I really liked this room layout. It felt spacious, bright, practical, and comfortable.

For families, road trippers, longer stays, or anyone looking for a hotel suite in London Ontario, this room setup is probably the biggest reason to consider staying here.

And if you’re interested in seeing other room types at this hotel, we were lucky enough that Sujal took us around and showed us a couple of different layouts. Some of those room types are ones I’ve actually stayed in before during my family’s past visits here, so I’ll be posting separate room walkthroughs from the Residence Inn London Downtown on my YouTube channel.

Wi-Fi & Gaming Setup

Now for one of the most important parts of any This Teen Travelz review: Wi-Fi and gaming.

The Wi-Fi was easy to connect to across all my devices — laptop, phone, iPad, and Nintendo Switch.

Using Ookla Speedtest, I got 118 Mbps download and 140 Mbps upload.

That’s fast enough for streaming, schoolwork, uploading content, gaming, and basically anything my family would need during a stay. As of this review, the Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown ranks high on my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard.

The gaming setup was also a win.

Connecting my Nintendo Switch to the living room TV was quick and easy. The TV was on a swing-out mount, which always helps, and I used my quick HDMI connection method by unplugging the Marriott Entertainment box and plugging in my Switch dock.

You could also connect to the bedroom TV, but depending on your setup, you may want to use one of the chairs or small tables from the living room as a stand for your console.

So for teens, gamers, or families travelling with consoles, this room passed the setup test.

Pool Vibes & Fitness Centre

Normally this is where I’d talk about pool vibes — but the Residence Inn London Downtown does not have a pool.

And honestly, for this hotel, that was never a big issue for me or my sister when we were younger.

When my family stayed here in the past, we were usually out exploring London, going to events, or stopping on the way to Michigan. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were usually tired from the day or just hanging out in the room.

And because the suites are so much bigger than a regular hotel room, there was still space to relax, play, and spread out.

So I wouldn’t call this a pool hotel. I’d call it more of a spacious, practical, downtown London Ontario hotel.

The fitness centre was actually pretty solid. It had an exercise bike, two ellipticals, three treadmills, a multi-gym, yoga equipment, medicine balls, kettlebells, two weight benches, and a full weight rack.

There was also enough room to move around, which is always nice because some hotel gyms can feel super cramped.

One small practical detail: if you’re looking for guest laundry, it’s right next to the gym. That makes sense for a Residence Inn because this brand is built more for longer stays.

So while there’s no pool, the hotel still gives you useful amenities for longer stays, road trips, and families.

Food Near Residence Inn London Downtown

For food, this Residence Inn London Downtown review is less about a lobby restaurant and more about free breakfast, full kitchens, and nearby downtown London options. I am going to break this into two parts: what’s included at the hotel and what’s nearby.

Because this is a Residence Inn, there’s no full-service restaurant in the lobby. But the rooms have full kitchens, so this is more of a “bring food back, spread out, and eat in your suite” kind of hotel.

And for this location, that actually works really well.

If you want a more complete breakdown of nearby food options, check out my full Best Restaurants Near Residence Inn London Downtown — Teen-Friendly Guide.

Covent Garden Market London Ontario

My best suggestion for food near the hotel is Covent Garden Market.

Covent Garden Market is one of those places where you can grab food, treats, baked goods, coffee, desserts, or even something to bring back to your room. They have vendors, restaurants, cafés, and market-style food options, so it’s not just one type of meal.

It’s also a really good match for this hotel because the suites have kitchens. If you don’t feel like doing a full restaurant meal, you can pick up food at the market, bring it back to the hotel, and actually use the space in your room.

We were visiting on a Sunday, so the market closed earlier. If Covent Garden Market had been open later during our stay, my dad and I probably would have grabbed dinner there. But we did stop by and picked up some treats from Culbert’s Bakery during our visit.

And I know I’m getting a little ahead of myself because this also fits into the things-to-do section, but if you’re visiting in the winter, Covent Garden Market also has an outdoor skating rink with free public skating. So it’s more than just a food stop.

Downtown London Food Options

In that same general downtown area, you’ll also find The Works Craft Burgers & Beer and Tilt Arcade Bar.

If you’re looking for more casual or fast-food options, a lot of those are going to be around Richmond Street. So if you want something quicker or more familiar, you don’t have to go too far.

For our actual dinner during this stay, my dad and I ended up going to Crabby Joe’s. We had spent the whole day walking around and rediscovering downtown London, and by the time dinner came around, we were tired and wanted something close to the hotel.

Dinner was okay, but to be honest, there are other places I would probably go to first if I was staying here again.

If you want to stay close to the hotel but choose something with more of a local feel, I would probably suggest The Morrissey House instead.

One of my family’s favourite places to eat in London is Dolcetto. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, so it’s not right beside the Residence Inn, but if you have a car, it’s worth considering. They have really good Italian food, and if you’re visiting during the warmer months, they also have a really nice patio.

100 Kellogg Lane Food Options

Another big food area to know about is 100 Kellogg Lane.

I’ll talk more about the attractions at 100 Kellogg Lane later in the things-to-do section because there is a lot going on there, but food is a big part of the complex too.

100 Kellogg Lane is about a 30-minute walk from the hotel or around a 5-minute drive, depending on traffic. It used to be the Kellogg’s cereal factory, and now it has been turned into a huge entertainment, food, and event complex.

Inside 100 Kellogg Lane, there are several food options, including The Beer Kitchen, BK Bakery, The Club House, The Factory, Powerhouse, and Shaw’s Ice Cream.

We picked up fresh bread from BK Bakery to bring home, and Shaw’s Ice Cream is one of my favourite ice cream companies. My flavour suggestion is Grammy’s Cupboard.

Residence Inn London Downtown Breakfast

Since this is a Residence Inn, breakfast was included with our stay, and I actually thought breakfast here was great.

They had a really good selection, especially for an included hotel breakfast.

There were juices, yogurts, scones, mini muffins, banana bread, different breads, fresh fruit, pork links, turkey rounds, scrambled eggs, spinach and ricotta cheese quiches, veggie crumble, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, milk, chocolate milk, cereals, oatmeal, and an oatmeal station.

But the coolest thing at breakfast was the fresh automated pancake maker.

I don’t think I’ve seen one of these at any of my other hotel stays before. You press the button, and the machine makes fresh pancakes in about a minute.

It was actually pretty cool to watch, and it made breakfast feel more fun than a basic hotel breakfast setup.

So overall, food is a strong part of staying here — not because the hotel has a restaurant, but because the free breakfast was good, the rooms have kitchens, and the location gives you easy access to downtown food spots, Covent Garden Market, and 100 Kellogg Lane.

For families, road trippers, or anyone staying more than one night, that setup makes a lot of sense.

Things to Do Near Residence Inn London Downtown

One of the biggest reasons my family has stayed at this hotel so many times over the years is the location. One reason this Residence Inn London Downtown review became so detailed is that the location works as more than just a hotel stay — it also works as a downtown London home base.

If you want a bigger breakdown of attractions, events, and family-friendly activities nearby, check out my full Things to Do Near Residence Inn London Downtown — Teen Edition guide.

The Residence Inn London Downtown works really well as a home base. You’re close to downtown London, not too far from major attractions, and it also works as a stopover if you’re doing a road trip through Southwestern Ontario or heading toward Michigan.

My family and I have visited London, Ontario many times, and these are some of the things we’ve enjoyed over the years — but I know I’m only scratching the surface.

If you want the full list of everything happening in London, a good first stop is the Tourism London Downtown Welcome Centre. It’s only about a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and they can help with attractions, events, restaurants, and travel ideas around London and Southwestern Ontario.

Downtown London Ontario Things to Do

A super easy option close to the hotel is Imagine Cinemas London, which is located inside Citi Plaza and is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

My family has gone there several times before, and this is one of those simple things that works really well if you want something close by, especially if the weather isn’t great or you just want a chill movie night without having to drive across the city.

Another downtown option is the Grand Theatre. I haven’t personally visited the Grand Theatre, but it’s one of London’s major theatre venues, so if you’re into live shows or visiting when there is a performance happening, it could be a good option to check out.

Museum London is another nearby attraction. I haven’t visited Museum London yet, but if you’re into art, history, or indoor attractions, it’s another option to keep on your list.

Victoria Park is another spot to know about, especially in the summer. It’s a short distance from the hotel, and there are a lot of events held there throughout the year.

One of my favourite events at Victoria Park is London Ribfest, which happens over the Ontario Civic Holiday long weekend in August. I’ve gone to Ribfest many times before, and it has daily concerts, carnival rides, games, and of course, a lot of rib vendors.

Tilt Arcade Bar

One of my favourite discoveries from this trip was Tilt Arcade Bar.

We found Tilt during this visit, and I was honestly so happy and excited that we discovered it.

Tilt is London’s retro arcade, and it offers unlimited play without time limits for $7. They have arcade machines, pinball, console booths, and more, and the games are set to free play once you’re inside.

This is definitely one of the most teen-friendly things to do in London Ontario, especially if you’re into retro games or just want something fun that feels different from the usual hotel-area activity.

The only thing to know is that minors are allowed until 8 p.m. when accompanied by a parent or guardian, so if you’re visiting as a teen, this is more of an earlier-evening stop.

Canada Life Place London Ontario

Another major place nearby is Canada Life Place.

If you’re looking for hotels near Canada Life Place, this location is really convenient. You could stay here for a London Knights hockey game, concert, or another event.

I’ve been there for different events before, including monster truck rallies and Disney on Ice, so this is one of those venues that can be a big reason to stay downtown.

100 Kellogg Lane London Ontario

One of the biggest attractions in London right now is 100 Kellogg Lane.

I already talked about some of the food options there, but 100 Kellogg Lane is also a major entertainment complex.

It’s about a 30-minute walk from the hotel or around a 5-minute drive, depending on traffic.

The big attraction there is The Factory, which is Canada’s biggest indoor family entertainment centre. The Factory has the largest indoor ropes course in the world, along with zip-lines, a trampoline park, an ultimate warrior course, a huge arcade, an indoor playground, and virtual reality experiences.

I had never visited The Factory before, so my dad and I decided to check it out during this trip. This is one of those places that could work really well if you’re travelling with kids, teens, or a family group where everyone wants something active to do.

Also inside the 100 Kellogg Lane complex is the London Children’s Museum. This is definitely geared toward younger kids, especially ages 0 to 9, but if you’re travelling with younger siblings, it’s another attraction to know about.

We actually tried visiting the museum during our stay, but unfortunately it was closed on Mondays, so that’s something to check before going.

More London Ontario Attractions

For families travelling with younger siblings, Storybook Gardens is another London classic.

I still remember visiting Storybook Gardens when I was really young, and one of the things I remember most is riding the train. It’s definitely more geared toward younger kids, so it might not be the main attraction for teens, but if you’re travelling as a family with younger siblings, it’s worth knowing about.

Another movie option my family has enjoyed is the Mustang Drive-In. This one is not downtown, so you would need a car, but if you like the idea of watching a movie in an old-school drive-in setting, it’s a fun option.

If you’re visiting during racing season, Delaware Speedway is also a cool place to check out. This is another attraction you would need a car for, but it can be a fun summer evening activity, especially on a Friday night when they have races.

Western University is less than a 10-minute drive from the hotel, so this could work if you’re visiting London for a campus tour, student event, sports event, or anything connected to Western.

Another major event location is the Western Fair District, which is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The Western Fair is held there, and depending on the time of year, there can be different events, shows, and activities happening in that area.

If you need to go shopping, there are two major malls in opposite directions from the hotel, and both are under about a 15-minute drive. CF Masonville Place is one of the bigger shopping malls in London, and White Oaks Mall is another solid option depending on what side of the city you’re heading toward.

Day Trips from London Ontario

My family has also used this hotel as a home base for day trips outside London.

Two places we’ve visited from here are St. Thomas and Port Stanley.

In St. Thomas, you can drive down Talbot Street, visit Downtown St. Thomas, see the Jumbo the Elephant Memorial, or check out the St. Thomas Elevated Park, which is Canada’s only elevated park.

And if you head to Port Stanley, you can have a beach day at Port Stanley Beach or Little Beach.

If the beach isn’t your thing, you can also ride the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, which is a fun old-school train experience.

So overall, this hotel works really well if you want a downtown London home base.

You can keep things simple with a movie, arcade, or nearby event, or you can use the hotel as a launch point for bigger family activities, summer festivals, 100 Kellogg Lane, Western University, shopping, or even day trips to St. Thomas and Port Stanley.

Explore the Area: Things to Do Near Residence Inn London Downtown

Want to see what’s nearby? I mapped out some of the best food spots, attractions, event venues, and family-friendly things to do near Residence Inn London Downtown, including Covent Garden Market, Canada Life Place, Tilt Arcade Bar, 100 Kellogg Lane, and more.

Final Verdict – Residence Inn London Downtown Review

So, final thoughts.

I think the Residence Inn by Marriott London Downtown is best for families, road trippers, extended-stay guests, Western University visitors, and anyone looking for a spacious downtown London Ontario hotel with more room than a regular hotel room.

The standout strength is definitely the suite setup.

The room felt spacious, bright, practical, and apartment-like, with a separate bedroom, full kitchen, living room, and enough space to actually spread out. That makes a huge difference compared to a standard hotel room.

The honest drawback is that there’s no pool, so this isn’t the hotel I’d pick if swimming is a must-have. But for this type of stay — where the focus is space, location, breakfast, and convenience — I don’t think that’s a dealbreaker.

This hotel is more about space, location, free breakfast, kitchen setup, and convenience.

And for me, this hotel is This Teen Travelz Approved.

Overall, this Residence Inn London Downtown review shows why the hotel still works so well for families, road trippers, and longer stays.

It’s the best Ontario Residence Inn I’ve stayed at so far, and honestly, one of the better Residence Inns I’ve stayed at overall.

So if you’re looking at the Residence Inn London Ontario for a family trip, event weekend, longer stay, or road trip stop, I think this one is definitely worth considering.

Staff Shoutout

Before I wrap up, I want to give a quick staff shoutout.

A big thank you to Nadia and Brent for helping put this hosted stay together and giving me the opportunity to come back to a hotel that has been part of my family’s London trips for years.

I really appreciate the chance to show why the Residence Inn London Downtown can be such a great hotel for families, road trippers, and anyone looking for more space downtown.

I also want to thank Jose Diaz for his hospitality during our stay.

And last but not least, thank you to Sujal for showing my dad and me some of the different room types available throughout the hotel.

That helped me get a better feel for the property beyond just the suite we stayed in.

— Mateo
This Teen Travelz

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FAQs: Residence Inn London Downtown Review

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