You know what really caught me off guard about Roomspace River House? It actually feels like staying in someone’s really nice London flat, not some sterile corporate apartment. I mean, when you’re walking down Minories – which honestly most tourists never see even though it’s right in the heart of the City – you almost miss the entrance because it doesn’t scream “hotel” at you.
The location is sort of brilliant in this understated way. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Tower Hill station, and I swear you can see the Tower of London from some of the upper floor windows. But here’s the thing that locals know and tourists don’t – you’re also ridiculously close to St. Katharine Docks, which is where all the City workers go to decompress after brutal days. There’s this whole little waterfront area with decent pubs and restaurants that feels like a secret pocket of calm. The apartments themselves are properly spacious (and I say this as someone who’s stayed in enough shoebox London hotels to appreciate real square footage). The kitchens are actually functional – not just some sad mini-fridge situation – so you can grab groceries from the Waitrose near Aldgate East and cook if you want. Though honestly, with places like Dishoom and that fantastic little Turkish spot on Leman Street so close, why would you?
What really works is how quiet it gets in the evenings. During the day, sure, you’ll hear the City humming around you – all those suited types rushing between meetings – but after about 7 PM, the whole area transforms into this surprisingly peaceful enclave. The building itself has character without trying too hard; there’s original brickwork mixed with modern touches that don’t feel forced. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – none of that awkward hovering-around-the-lobby business while they “prepare your room.” The staff seem to understand that most people staying here are either business travelers who want efficiency or tourists who’ve done their homework and chosen this area deliberately. They’re helpful without being pushy, which honestly is harder to find than you’d think. If I’m being completely honest, it’s not going to win any design awards – the décor is nice but safe – and the building can feel a bit corporate during weekday mornings when everyone’s rushing off to work. But that 8.3 rating makes total sense when you factor in the space, the location, and the fact that you’re getting genuine value in a city where decent accommodation usually costs a fortune. For anyone who wants to stay somewhere that feels authentically London without being stuck in touristy zones or paying Mayfair prices, this place just works.