Honestly, when I first walked into this Old Street apartment, I wasn’t expecting much – I mean, London rentals can be pretty hit or miss, you know? But this place actually surprised me in the best way. It’s one of those converted Victorian buildings that somehow manages to feel both properly spacious and cozy at the same time, which is sort of a miracle in this part of town. The three bedrooms are genuinely three bedrooms (not like those places where they’ve carved up a living room with plasterboard), and there’s enough space that you won’t be stepping on each other’s toes even if you’re traveling with mates or family.
What I really love about the location is that you’re right in the thick of things without the tourist chaos. Old Street station is literally a five-minute walk – I timed it because I’m obsessive like that – and you’ve got the Northern line plus the overground, so getting anywhere in London is dead easy. But here’s what the guidebooks won’t tell you: Exmouth Market is just around the corner, and that little stretch has some of the best independent cafes and lunch spots in the area. There’s this Ethiopian place called Zeret Kitchen that does incredible coffee, and honestly, starting your morning there beats any hotel breakfast. The neighborhood gets properly lively in the evenings too, especially around the weekends when the tech crowd from the nearby offices mingles with the Shoreditch spillover, but it quiets down nicely by midnight – I never had trouble sleeping.
The apartment itself feels like someone actually lives there, not like those sterile corporate rentals. The kitchen’s properly equipped (I made pasta one night and didn’t have to hunt around for basic utensils), and there’s a washing machine which, let’s be real, is essential for any stay longer than a few days. The WiFi’s solid – I worked from there a couple mornings and had zero issues with video calls. One small thing though: the heating can be a bit temperamental in the mornings, so don’t panic if it takes a few minutes to kick in. The host was really responsive when I had questions, and check-in was refreshingly straightforward. You know what really sold me on this place? It’s the kind of spot where you can picture yourself actually living in London for a bit, not just visiting. That 8.8 rating makes complete sense – it’s not trying to be fancy, it’s just genuinely good at being what it is.