Overview
First Impressions
The Forest Residence sits on a quiet residential street in Newham, and honestly, it’s one of those places that grows on you. The building itself is pretty straightforward — no fancy facade or grand entrance — but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it. You know what I mean? Sometimes you just want a decent place to stay without all the fuss.
Location & Getting Around
Here’s the thing about staying in London — you’re always weighing location against budget, and this three-star spot actually makes sense. Forest Gate station is walkable (about 10 minutes), and from there you’re looking at maybe 20 minutes to get into central London. The neighborhood’s got that authentic East London vibe — it’s not touristy at all, which I actually found refreshing after dealing with crowds all day.
The Room Experience
My room was clean and functional, though definitely on the compact side. The bed was comfortable enough, and I appreciated having a proper workspace — something you don’t always get at this price point. The bathroom was small but well-maintained, with decent water pressure (always a win in older London buildings). There’s no restaurant on-site, but honestly, with all the local takeaway options nearby, I didn’t miss it.
Practical Matters
The staff were genuinely helpful when I needed directions or recommendations — they actually knew the area well, which isn’t always guaranteed. WiFi worked fine throughout my stay, and I never had issues with key cards or anything like that. Parking can be a bit tricky on the street, but there are options if you’re driving. Just factor in some extra time to find a spot.
Why Guests Appreciate It
Look, The Forest Residence isn’t going to wow you with amenities or stunning views, but it delivers on the basics without breaking the bank. For travelers who want to experience London beyond the tourist bubble — and save some money while doing it — this place works. The area’s got character, the transport links are solid once you figure them out, and you’re still properly connected to everything London has to offer. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Guest reviews
"Okay except the door situations."
Value
What could be improved: Info on time to check in in 2 different places about checking in didnt match.
Explanation about unlocking front entrance door wasn't specific that there is a digital lock on the door itself and there is another manual entry on the wall that might have been used in the past.
No mention of which is the current to be used.
Worst thing is the use of skeleton key and lock on the door to the individual rooms is mechanically deficent.
Struggled to open the door and worst of all difficult to open from the inside. To lock the room, the same key has to lock the door from the inside
If there was a fire, the struggle to unlock the door is a danger in getting out in a hurry.
Should not be able ti use these type of locks because of the risk. No key should be required to get out in an emergency. Especially if there was smoke and u can't see. The door handle from the inside should be enough to open the door to avoid a struggle in an emergency. Should lock to keep people out but allow exiting from the inside with no key to get out.
No thought was put into this situation and creates a potential danger to get out should a fire or other emergency occur.
If there was a fire and
9 October 2025
"Overall every thing was so good 👍"
It was good
We like that place
What could be improved: Unfortunately that day the door lock problem
But after that was solved
Every thing was perfect 👌
4 August 2025
"Good"
Location and Cleanliness
What could be improved: Heating
18 December 2024
"Very good"
It was a cozy apartment. Definitely good value for money. I wouldn’t ask for more.
What could be improved: Nothing really.. it served its purpose.
27 September 2024
"Clean and comfortable, great location and very friendly, helpful staff."
The location was great, two minutes walk from Forrest Gate Station. Shops and places to eat close by.
What could be improved: Everything was fine. It suited my needs.
7 June 2024
"Very convenient for my nostalgia tour"
Excellent location very close to Forest Gate station and on the Elizabeth line direct from Heathrow airport. I was allowed to put my luggage in the room prior to check-in, which allowed me to start my nostalgia tour early.
What could be improved: Room a little tired, only one toilet roll (which did last, but only just).
19 October 2025
"Good"
1. Very close to the Tube station. Extremely easy for commutation.
2.Self check-in worked All right.
3. Clean room
If you get it at a reasonable price, it's good enough for a short stay, but at the face value, they try to sell may be not !!
What could be improved: Room that we got was small (don't know if that's the case with other rooms) , with luggage in can't walk around freely.
The room next to us had an issue with the lock 🔐 and they were trying hard to open and close their room at night time, which made it a bit noisy across multiple nights. But it's a reasonable property if you get it at a reasonable price.
3 August 2025
"Only booked for the one night but the room was fine,if quite small with coffee maker, TV and WiFi."
Location fine for the event I was attending. Room and ensuite were more than adequate, quiet and clean.
What could be improved: Nothing based on price
25 July 2025
"Pleasant Stay for a Night"
It’s a no-frills, simple place to stay, just what I expected. Nothing went wrong, and nothing stood out as exceptional either. It’s a decent spot for a night or two, but probably not ideal for a longer stay.
What could be improved: The room was quite small, and the bathroom even smaller. For two average-sized people, moving around is a bit of a challenge, especially if you have large luggage. You’ll likely need to take turns standing and sorting things out. There were three tea bags in a small jar, and just enough instant coffee for one or two brews. That’s about it.
21 July 2025
"Very good"
What could be improved: Some facilities to eat food - table, chairs etc.
14 July 2025
