So I stumbled across this apartment on Steward Street, and honestly? It’s one of those finds that makes you feel a bit smug about your booking skills. The location is absolutely mad good – I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station, which is perfect if you’re doing the whole London thing properly. But here’s what surprised me: despite being right in the thick of everything, it doesn’t feel touristy at all. You’re in proper East London territory here, where you’ll see actual Londoners grabbing their morning coffee instead of crowds taking selfies.
The apartment itself has that converted warehouse vibe that Tower Hamlets does so well – high ceilings, decent-sized windows, and you can tell someone actually thought about the layout instead of just cramming furniture wherever. The kitchen’s properly equipped too, which matters more than you’d think when you’re staying longer than a few nights. I actually ended up cooking a few meals because there’s a Tesco Metro about three minutes away, and honestly, after spending £15 on a mediocre sandwich near tourist spots, making your own breakfast feels like a small victory. The whole building’s pretty quiet – well, as quiet as you can expect when you’re basically next to one of London’s busiest transport hubs. You’ll hear the occasional rumble, but nothing that’ll keep you awake unless you’re one of those people who gets bothered by city sounds.
What really sold me on the area though is how connected everything is without feeling overwhelming. Spitalfields Market is right there – and I don’t mean the sanitized bit, but the actual market where you can grab proper food and browse through stuff that isn’t completely overpriced. Brick Lane’s about a ten-minute walk if you want decent curry, and getting into central London is ridiculously easy. The Tube connections from Liverpool Street are brilliant, plus you’ve got the Elizabeth Line now, which honestly feels like cheating when you can get to Heathrow in what feels like no time. Check-in was straightforward enough – none of that awkward hanging around waiting for someone to show up with keys. The building’s secure but not intimidatingly so, and there’s a lift, which you’ll appreciate if you’re hauling a suitcase up from the station. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I was mixing business with pleasure or wanted to feel like I was actually staying in London rather than just visiting it.