Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about staying in the old Battersea Power Station, I thought it might be one of those gimmicky conversions that’s all Instagram and no substance. But this place actually gets it right, and I mean really right.
Faraday House sits right in the heart of the whole redevelopment, and you know what struck me first? The way they’ve managed to keep that industrial heritage without making you feel like you’re sleeping in a museum. The apartments (because that’s what these really are) have these massive windows that flood everything with light, and from certain angles you can still see those iconic chimneys that’ve been watching over South London for decades. The Aurora Gardens address sounds fancy, but it’s literally just the new street they’ve created – though honestly, it works. There’s something quite satisfying about walking through what used to be this massive, abandoned power station and finding yourself in a properly modern living space with a kitchen that actually has everything you need. I’m talking about a real coffee machine, not some sad little kettle situation.
The location is where this place really shines, though it took me a day to fully appreciate it. You’re essentially on a little island between Vauxhall and Clapham Junction – and before you panic about being isolated, just wait. The new Tube station (literally called Battersea Power Station, which still makes me chuckle) connects you to everything via the Northern Line extension, but here’s the thing most people don’t realize: you’re also perfectly positioned for both the river and some of London’s best bits. Battersea Park is basically your back garden, and on weekends you’ll see families doing that very British thing of having picnics regardless of weather. Plus, and this is key if you’re actually trying to get things done, you’re close enough to central London without being in the thick of tourist chaos. The whole Nine Elms area has this energy of somewhere that’s becoming something, you know? New restaurants opening, people walking their dogs along the Thames Path, that sort of organic neighborhood vibe that’s surprisingly hard to find in modern developments. The only slight downside is that some evenings it can feel a bit quiet – this isn’t Shoreditch, after all – but honestly, after a day of London madness, coming back to somewhere with actual space and those river views felt like a genuine retreat. The 9.3 rating makes perfect sense once you’ve been here a few days.