Barbican Pad by condokeeper

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first rolled up to this place on Goswell Road, I wasn’t expecting much – the street’s got that slightly gritty Islington vibe where converted office buildings mix with corner shops. But you know what? Sometimes the best finds are hiding in plain sight. The Barbican Pad completely surprised me, and I mean that in the best way possible.

The whole setup feels like staying in a friend’s incredibly well-designed flat rather than some cookie-cutter hotel room. I’m talking proper kitchen facilities (not just a sad kettle and instant coffee), decent-sized windows that actually let light in, and furniture that doesn’t look like it came from a budget catalog. The Barbican Centre is literally a five-minute walk away – which is brilliant if you’re into that whole brutalist architecture thing or fancy catching a film at their cinema. What I really loved though was how quiet it gets at night, despite being right in the thick of things. Goswell Road can get busy during the day with people heading to and from the City, but once evening hits, it’s surprisingly peaceful.

Location-wise, you’re basically sitting between Angel and Barbican stations, so getting around is dead easy. I actually preferred walking to Angel most of the time – it’s about ten minutes through some lovely residential streets, and you hit Upper Street with all its restaurants and pubs. The Old Queen’s Head is right there if you want a proper local experience, though it can get absolutely rammed on weekends. For groceries, there’s a Waitrose near Angel that’s not too much of a trek, or honestly, just order in – the delivery apps work perfectly from this address. One small thing that caught me off guard was the check-in process (it’s all done through an app), but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually quite smooth. The 8.6 rating makes total sense when you experience it firsthand – it’s not trying to be luxury, but everything just… works. The heating’s reliable, the Wi-Fi doesn’t cut out every five minutes, and the shower pressure is properly decent. I’d definitely come back, especially since it feels like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 2 single beds and 1 single bed for 5 adults

Facilities