You know what caught me off guard about Neon Melody? The name had me expecting some garish light show, but it’s actually this thoughtfully designed two-bedroom spot that feels more like staying at your design-savvy friend’s place than a typical London rental. The building sits on Leathermarket Street — which, honestly, most tourists walk right past without realizing they’re missing one of Southwark’s quieter gems.
The apartment itself has this playful energy without being overwhelming. I mean, there are definitely some bold color choices and interesting art pieces, but whoever designed this place understood the difference between “fun” and “headache-inducing.” The two bedrooms are properly sized (not those shoebox situations you often get in London), and the main living area has these huge windows that let in way more light than you’d expect for the area. What really sold me was the kitchen — it’s actually functional, with decent counter space and appliances that don’t look like they were salvaged from 1995. You can tell someone put thought into how people actually live, not just how spaces photograph.
The location is where this place really shines, though. You’re literally a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge station, but tucked away enough that you’re not dealing with the constant tourist chaos. Borough Market is right there when you want amazing food (go early on weekdays if you can), and you’ve got this perfect setup where the Thames path is your backyard but you can actually get some sleep at night. I stayed during a busy weekend in summer and was surprised how quiet it stayed — the street doesn’t get much through traffic. The area has this village-y feel that’s rare south of the river, with proper local pubs and that little Maltby Street market on weekends that feels like a secret even though it’s been around for years.
Honestly, the 8.7 rating makes sense once you’re there. It’s not trying to be the fanciest place in London, but everything works well and there’s this attention to detail that you notice — good water pressure, blackout curtains that actually block light, wifi that doesn’t cut out every twenty minutes. The kind of stuff that matters when you’re actually living somewhere for a few days, not just taking photos for Instagram.