Unfortunately we never got the pleasure to meet Giovanni in person, but he answered on the phone as soon as we rang him and he really seems to be a super nice guy.
The self-check-in was really smooth and easy and everything was prepared for us just as if we were visiting a hotel. (Those vanilla cookies were really yummie!)
We often took bus 15 that stops 150 meters north on Commercial Road, A13, at "S:t Mary's and S:t Michael's Church", and goes all the way to Trafalgar (buy the Oyster Visitor cards - really useful), or we used the Santander rental bikes that has a station where the bus stop is. (Install the Santander bicycle app - it is really good, or just use a bank card)
On the same street, but a little at the west is a Sainsbury's Local Store.
A small, but very useful detail are the 8(!) USB charging outlets. Great for us to charge our phones, BT headphones, cameras and powerbanks etc.
Oh, be sure to upgrade your bank card so you get the "contactless" function - it is really super useful.
This for sure is our home away from home the next time we come to London.