You know what? I wasn’t expecting much from another serviced apartment in central London, but these JOIVY flats on Irving Street actually surprised me. The location is honestly ridiculous – I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus, but somehow Irving Street manages to stay relatively quiet. Well, as quiet as you can get when you’re basically in the heart of everything.
The flat itself has this modern, minimalist vibe that actually works. It’s not trying too hard to be fancy, just clean lines and decent furniture that looks like someone actually thought about how you’d live there for more than one night. The bed’s comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the kitchen is small but functional – which matters if you’re staying more than a weekend and don’t want to eat out every meal. London prices being what they are, you’ll appreciate having a proper fridge and stovetop. The bathroom’s compact but well-designed, with good water pressure, which honestly feels like winning the lottery in some London accommodations.
What I really love is how walkable everything is from here. Leicester Square is right there – perfect for grabbing theater tickets or just people-watching. Covent Garden’s about a five-minute stroll if you want decent shopping or those street performers (though they can get repetitive if you’re there for a week). The Tube connections are brilliant too; you’ve got Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square stations within spitting distance, so getting anywhere in London is pretty straightforward. I found myself walking a lot more than usual because so much is just… right there. Chinatown’s around the corner for late-night dim sum, and there’s this little Tesco Express nearby for essentials, though it’s one of those cramped central London ones where you’ll pay through the nose for everything.
The building itself feels secure – proper key card entry and everything – and check-in was smoother than I expected. No waiting around in a lobby, just clear instructions and everything worked as promised. The area does get busy during the day (tourists, you know), but evenings are actually quite pleasant for wandering around. Just be prepared for some street noise if you’re a light sleeper – it’s central London, after all, not the countryside. The 8.8 rating makes sense to me; it’s not luxury, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises. For the location and the price point, it’s honestly hard to beat if you want to be in the thick of things without paying hotel rates.