Look, I’ll be straight with you about this Vauxhall spot – it’s one of those places that actually delivers on what it promises, which honestly surprised me a bit given how many London “apartments” turn out to be glorified closets. The moment you step into this one-bedroom on Black Prince Road, you get that “oh, this’ll work” feeling. It’s properly sized for London standards, meaning you can actually open a suitcase without having to move furniture around, and the kitchen isn’t just a hot plate shoved in a corner.
What really sold me on the location though – and this is something you won’t realize until you’re actually staying here – is how ridiculously easy it is to get everywhere that matters. I mean, everyone goes on about “walking distance to Big Ben,” but what they don’t tell you is that the walk along the Thames is actually lovely, especially in the evening when the tourist crowds thin out. You’ll find yourself taking the long way home just because. The Vauxhall tube station is maybe a seven-minute walk, and here’s the thing locals know: you’re on both the Victoria and Northern lines, which means you’re never stuck when there’s weekend engineering works. Plus, there’s something weirdly satisfying about telling people you’re staying in Vauxhall – it sounds proper London without being too touristy.
The apartment itself feels like someone actually lives there rather than one of those sterile short-let places that smell like cleaning products and sadness. The bed’s comfortable (I’m picky about this), there’s decent water pressure in the shower, and – this matters more than you’d think – the neighbors are quiet. I stayed during what I’d guess was a pretty busy period and never heard much through the walls. The only minor thing is that the building’s buzzer system is a bit temperamental, but honestly, that’s half the buildings in London anyway. You know what really impressed me though? The little touches. Proper hangers in the wardrobe, more than one towel per person, coffee that doesn’t taste like cardboard. It’s clear someone’s put thought into what people actually need when they’re staying somewhere for more than just crashing after a night out. For the price point and the area, it’s solid – not fancy, but genuinely comfortable and practical in all the ways that matter when you’re trying to experience London rather than just survive it.