This is a nice and quirky little place that afforded me the city experience I was hoping for. It is literally a stone's throw away from the Liverpool St. Station, which made it convenient to make my way anywhere in the city. It is also located in a busy section of the city that offered an array of establishments to partake in during the evening hours. I could walk outside at any time during the day and do just about anything I wanted without going more than a block away.
I really did enjoy myself here because it didn't feel too touristy. I felt like the moniker for this place accurately describes what you are in for. It did not feel as if I was in a busy hotel, I really felt I was afforded the chance to know what it felt like to stay in a flat in London. Small quarters actually made this a great experience for me.
The front desk was amazing. Polite and always had an answer for any question I had. Nine times out of ten they would open the door for you from the desk. If not, you only needed to swipe your room key card and on your way you went. I had spoke with the staff a few times and through these conversations I found out that they are in line to do a small remodel in all the rooms which will include newer mattresses and an updated look. I was assured that I needed to look them up if I ever made my way back to London.
I can only speak to the room I stayed in, as each room in this hotel was set up differently. I was in the Edison, which you can see from my pictures. Big enough for me and I was basically only here to end and start each day. Everything I needed was just a short distance away. Comfortable bed, ample storage from my belongings, and the amenities offered fit my need.
The room was taken care of every single day for me. I would return from my wanderings and find that everything was straightened up, fresh linens placed in the room and my belongings remained in their place.
Not everything was peachy keen when I was here. And some of these things are minor and/or temporary. The building next door was under construction at the time of my visit, so if you are expecting to sleep in, that's a no go (but I am assuming that construction will be finished shortly). Along with the construction it kind of took away from the patio experience for the room. The pictures on their website made it look like an intimate space outside, but because of the construction, the small partitions were gone and you were in a wide open space that looked directly at the construction (patios afforded you a quick place to smoke if you do). The patio door was a bit tricky as well. It took me a while to figure out how to shut and lock it. The handle is actually the tricky part, but once I got the hang of that, I was good to go. One last thing about the patio area, watch the first step...literally it's a drop to the floor so be careful exiting the room. Small fridge but no microwave. Not a 24 hour front desk.
Check out was easy for me. My room was paid for ahead of time, so all I had to do was slide my key under the front desk door and I was on my way.
I really did feel like a resident of London while I was here because of the proximity to it all. I walked everywhere but knew I had a place to go at the end of the day, and in all honesty, that's all I was looking for with this place.
**Not quite sure, but I think this place, or the area just outside the door, is a stop on the Jack the Ripper walking tour**
***One other thing to note about this place, if you can't find the entrance try 26 Widegate St., the address listed will take you to the street behind the building and you will not find the entrance. Also, the door for this place is just that, a door, not a storefront.*** read more