So you know that slightly chaotic stretch of Gray’s Inn Road where Camden meets King’s Cross? Well, tucked into this mix is Homely Apartment, and honestly, the name pretty much nails what you’re getting. It’s one of those places that feels more like crashing at a friend’s flat than staying in a proper hotel – which, depending on what you’re after, could be exactly perfect.
The thing about this spot is the location actually works really well if you know London even a bit. You’re literally a few minutes’ walk from King’s Cross Station (I mean, you can probably hear the Eurostar announcements if you listen hard enough), but you’re not dealing with all that tourist madness right outside your door. The Russell Square tube is super close too, and there’s this little stretch of cafes and pubs along the road that locals actually use – not just the overpriced stuff you find near the big stations. I particularly love that you can walk to the British Library in about ten minutes, and Camden Market is right there if you’re into that scene. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet after evening rush hour, which surprised me given how central everything is.
What you’re getting is essentially a proper apartment setup – and I mean that in the best way. The rooms have that lived-in feel with decent kitchenettes (actually useful ones, not those tiny hotel versions), and the beds are honestly more comfortable than you’d expect for a 4-star place. The decor is sort of modern-ish without trying too hard, though some of the furniture has clearly seen better days. Check-in can be a bit informal – sometimes you’re meeting someone on the street rather than walking into a fancy lobby, which threw me off the first time but actually became kind of charming. There’s no concierge service or anything fancy like that, but the staff I dealt with were genuinely helpful when I had questions about getting around. Parking is pretty much nonexistent unless you want to pay through the nose, but honestly, you don’t need a car here anyway. The Wi-Fi works well (tested it thoroughly during a few work calls), and the water pressure is surprisingly good for London.
Look, it’s not going to win any design awards, and if you’re expecting hotel service with daily housekeeping and all that, you might be disappointed. But if you want a proper base in central London where you can actually cook breakfast and spread out a bit, and you don’t mind trading some polish for character and value, this place makes a lot of sense. The 7.8 rating feels about right – it does what it promises without any major surprises, good or bad.