Contemporary 2Bedroom & 2Bathroom Flat in Barbican

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about this place? Walking up to 58a Long Lane, I was expecting another cramped London conversion, but this Barbican flat actually feels like someone’s thoughtfully designed home rather than a generic rental. The moment you step inside, there’s this immediate sense of space – and I mean proper space, not that fake “open concept” stuff where you’re basically sleeping in your kitchen.

The two bedrooms are genuinely separate (thank god), and honestly, the bathrooms are what sold me. I’ve stayed in enough London places where the shower is basically a suggestion, but here you can actually move around without bumping into everything. The contemporary styling works without being sterile – think clean lines but with enough personality that you don’t feel like you’re living in an IKEA showroom. What I really appreciated were the little details that show someone actually lives in London: proper blackout curtains (because street lights here are no joke), decent water pressure, and – this might sound weird – but the heating actually works efficiently, which is rarer than you’d think in older London buildings.

Location-wise, you’re right in the thick of things without the tourist chaos. Long Lane puts you walking distance to both the City and Shoreditch, and I mean actually walking distance, not that “20-minute trek” kind that estate agents love to mention. The Barbican Centre is literally around the corner if you’re into that brutalist architecture thing, and you’ve got proper pubs nearby – not the sanitized gastropub chains but actual local spots where City workers grab pints after work. The street itself can get a bit busy during weekday rush hours since it’s a cut-through, but evenings and weekends are surprisingly quiet. I was worried about noise being so central, but the flat’s positioned well enough that you’re not dealing with constant traffic.

Parking is typical London nightmare territory, so don’t even think about driving here, but honestly the transport links make it unnecessary anyway. What really impressed me was how the owners clearly understand what travelers actually need – reliable WiFi that doesn’t cut out during video calls, a kitchen stocked with basics so you’re not hunting for a corkscrew on your first night, and enough storage that you’re not living out of a suitcase for your entire stay. It’s those practical touches that separate places run by people who get it from the ones managed by agencies who’ve never actually stayed in their own properties.

The 4-star rating feels about right – it’s not trying to be some luxury hotel experience, but it delivers on everything that matters. That 9-point rating from other guests makes complete sense once you’ve been there. For the Barbican area, this flat hits that sweet spot of being genuinely livable while putting you right where you want to be in London.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 2 children

Facilities