You know what really struck me about the Apex Temple Court? It’s tucked away on this tiny courtyard called Serjeant’s Inn that most people walk right past, even though you’re literally steps from Fleet Street. I mean, Fleet Street – where all those old newspaper offices used to be. The building itself has this gorgeous red brick Victorian thing going on, and honestly, walking into the lobby feels like stepping into a gentleman’s club from the 1890s, but in the best possible way.
The location is actually brilliant once you figure out the neighborhood. You’re right in the heart of legal London – all those old Inns of Court are around here, which gives the whole area this weirdly quiet, almost academic vibe despite being so central. St. Paul’s Cathedral is maybe a seven-minute walk, and you can easily stroll over to the South Bank or catch the Tube at Chancery Lane. What I loved is that evenings get properly quiet here since it’s not a residential area – no late-night pub crowds stumbling around like you’d get in Covent Garden. The trade-off is that finding a decent dinner spot nearby after 9 PM can be a bit of a hunt, but honestly, that’s half the fun of staying somewhere with character.
The rooms have this whole boutique hotel thing down perfectly – not trying too hard to be trendy, just really well thought out. Mine had these tall windows looking out onto the courtyard, and there’s something quite soothing about the brick walls and old lampposts down there. The bathrooms are properly done up with good water pressure (you’d be surprised how often London hotels mess this up), and the beds are the kind where you actually sleep well instead of just surviving the night. Check-in was smooth – no waiting around, and the staff seem to genuinely know the area when you ask for recommendations. I asked about getting to Borough Market on a Saturday morning and got this whole mini-lecture about timing and which stalls to hit first, which was exactly what I needed. The whole place just feels like someone put real thought into it rather than following some corporate hotel playbook. It’s got that 8.9 rating for good reason – not flashy enough to be a 9-something, but solid and reliable in ways that actually matter when you’re trying to enjoy London.