Honestly, when I first walked up to this place on Hanway Street, I almost missed it – which is sort of perfect because you’re literally a stone’s throw from the chaos of Oxford Street but tucked away on this quieter little stretch that feels like a local secret. The apartment (and yeah, it’s more of a serviced apartment than a traditional hotel) sits right between Fitzrovia and the West End madness, and I mean right between – you can actually hear the distant hum of Oxford Circus but it’s not keeping you awake at night.
What really got me was how they’ve managed to squeeze three proper beds into a two-bedroom setup without making it feel cramped. The living area actually breathes, you know? And those 2.5 baths – well, that extra half bath is a game-changer when you’re traveling with friends or family because nobody’s waiting in line at 7 AM. The kitchen’s got everything you’d actually use (not just a sad mini-fridge), which is brilliant since eating out for every meal in this part of London will bankrupt you faster than you can say “full English breakfast.” The Tottenham Court Road tube station really is about two minutes away – I timed it because I’m that person – and from there you’re four stops to King’s Cross, three to Leicester Square. During rush hour, honestly, you’ll probably walk to Covent Garden faster than taking the Piccadilly line, but having those options is what makes this spot work so well.
The area itself has this interesting double personality – step one way and you’re in the tourist hurricane of Oxford Street with every chain store known to humanity, but venture the other direction toward Charlotte Street and suddenly you’re in proper London with independent cafes and that little Greek place that’s been there since the 70s. I loved grabbing coffee from the Scandinavian bakery on Goodge Street in the mornings (about a three-minute walk) because it felt like I was living there, not just visiting. The building’s got character without being annoyingly quirky – you can tell it’s been updated recently but they haven’t stripped away everything that makes London properties interesting. One small thing: the street can get a bit lively on weekend nights since you’re close to some decent pubs, but it’s more “sounds of people having a good time” than “call the police” loud. Check-in was surprisingly smooth for what’s essentially a short-term rental situation, and they actually answered their phone when I had a question about the heating, which – let’s be real – doesn’t always happen with these places.