Southwark by Q Apartments

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me most about Southwark by Q? It’s actually tucked away on this quiet stretch of Southwark Street where you’d never expect to find something this polished. I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from Borough Market (and honestly, the smell of fresh bread drifting over in the mornings is half the reason to stay here), but the street itself feels refreshingly calm compared to the tourist chaos just around the corner.

The apartments themselves – well, they’re proper apartments, not those cramped hotel rooms where you’re tripping over your suitcase every five minutes. I stayed in one of their one-bedrooms and was genuinely impressed by how they’ve managed to fit a full kitchen that you’d actually want to cook in, plus a living area where you can spread out your stuff without feeling like you’re camping. The design leans modern without being sterile, if that makes sense – lots of clean lines and neutral tones, but with enough character that it doesn’t feel like every other boutique place in London. What really sold me was the attention to small details: proper blackout curtains (crucial when you’re dealing with those endless summer evenings), USB ports exactly where you need them, and – this might sound silly – but genuinely good water pressure in the shower.

Location-wise, you’re in this sweet spot where you feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. Sure, you can walk to London Bridge in about eight minutes, and the Tate Modern is right there when you want some culture, but you’re also surrounded by actual neighborhood spots. There’s this little coffee place on the corner that locals queue up at every morning, and you’re close enough to the real Borough Market action (not just the weekend tourist version) to grab proper groceries. The only thing I’d mention – and it’s barely worth noting given how quiet the street is – is that you occasionally get some early morning delivery trucks rumbling past, but nothing that decent earplugs can’t handle. Honestly, for a 4-star place with a 9.1 rating, I was expecting to find some catch, some reason it wasn’t perfect. But after staying there twice now, I keep coming back to the same conclusion: it’s just really well done. Not flashy, not trying too hard, just the kind of place where everything works the way it should.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults
• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 3 × 1 double bed for 6 adults
• Penthouse Apartment with 3 × 1 double bed for 6 adults

Facilities