I recently stayed at the Ilford Grand Hotel for one night as I had an early meeting in Southend the next day. The hotel itself was excellent—smart, modern, and equipped with all the basic amenities you’d need for a comfortable stay. It was clean, the room was well-furnished, and it served its purpose perfectly as a convenient stopover.
However, the surrounding high street left much to be desired. Admittedly I arrived in the early hours and within minutes of arriving, I was propositioned by someone on the street, which wasn’t the most welcoming experience. Adding to the initial unease, I was approached upon arrival at the hotel by someone I thought might be dodgy but who turned out to be the night auditor—an odd first impression, to say the least.
In summary: the hotel itself is fantastic and well worth staying in, but the local area was, unfortunately, a bit of a dive. If you're planning to stay here, the hotel is a gem—but maybe don’t wander around outside too much at night.