Argyle Apartments, Kings Cross

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to Argyle Apartments on this quiet Camden street – I mean, Kings Cross has come such a long way, but you still get those slightly dodgy-looking buildings mixed in with the genuinely nice ones. Well, this place completely surprised me. The moment you step inside, it’s clear someone actually thought about what travelers need, not just what looks good in photos.

The location is actually brilliant once you figure out the neighborhood. You’re tucked away on Argyle Street, which means you avoid the tourist chaos around the main King’s Cross station, but you can still walk there in about eight minutes (I timed it). What I really loved is how you’re right on the edge of proper Camden – you know, where locals actually live and work. There’s this fantastic little coffee place called Caravan just around the corner that does proper flat whites, and honestly, the whole area feels more like a neighborhood than a tourist zone. The apartments themselves are surprisingly spacious for London – I had friends visiting from Manchester who couldn’t believe how much room they had compared to the shoebox hotel they’d stayed in near Oxford Street the previous year. The kitchen is actually functional too, which sounds basic but you’d be amazed how many places give you a mini-fridge and call it a day. I ended up cooking breakfast most mornings because there’s a decent Sainsbury’s Local about three blocks away.

One thing that really stood out was how quiet it gets at night, even though you’re so close to everything. I was worried about noise from the station or late-night revelers, but the windows must be properly insulated because I slept better there than I do at home sometimes. The staff were genuinely helpful too – not in that overly rehearsed hotel way, but like they actually wanted to solve problems. When my friend couldn’t figure out the heating controls (which are a bit quirky, I’ll admit), the front desk person came up and showed us this little trick with the thermostat that apparently half the guests miss. You can tell they’ve been doing this for a while. The only minor complaint I’d have is that the WiFi can be a bit patchy on the upper floors – not terrible, but if you’re trying to stream Netflix or take work calls, you might want to hang out in the lobby area where it’s rock solid. But honestly, for the price point and that location, it’s such good value. You’re paying way less than you would for anything comparable in Zone 1, but you’re still perfectly connected to everything. I’d definitely stay there again, and I’ve already recommended it to my sister who’s planning a London weekend in the spring.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom House with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults
• Three-Bedroom House with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults

Facilities