Look, I’ve stayed in a lot of London hotels over the years, and Carnaby Studios by Indigo Flats actually gets it right in ways that surprised me. You know how most places in this part of town either cost a fortune or feel like they haven’t been updated since the 90s? Well, this one sits right in that sweet spot on Silver Place – which, honestly, I had to look up on my phone the first time because it’s tucked away between Regent Street and all the Carnaby Street chaos.
What struck me first was how quiet it is once you’re inside. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Oxford Circus madness, but the studio I stayed in felt properly insulated from all that tourist mayhem. The space itself is clever – they’ve clearly thought about how people actually live and work when they travel. There’s a proper kitchenette (not just a sad mini-fridge situation), and the desk area actually has decent lighting and enough plugs for your laptop and phone without having to unplug the lamp. The bed was comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been wrestling with the mattress all night, which… you know how hit-or-miss that can be in London.
Here’s the thing that really sold me on this place – the location is genius if you know how to work it. Sure, everyone talks about being near Oxford Street, but what they don’t mention is that you’re also walking distance to some of the best pubs in Fitzrovia (The Fitzroy Tavern is maybe eight minutes away), and there’s this little café on Kingly Street that does proper coffee, not the tourist trap stuff. The staff seemed to actually know the neighborhood too – when I asked about getting to King’s Cross without dealing with the tube during rush hour, the guy at reception gave me this bus route that saved me about twenty minutes and a lot of stress. Check-in was smooth, no drama with the key cards, and they didn’t try to upsell me on breakfast or spa treatments or whatever.
I’ll be honest, it’s not the fanciest place you’ll ever stay – the bathroom’s a bit compact and there’s some street noise if you leave the windows open (though nothing compared to the hotels right on Oxford Street). But for the price point and the fact that you’re genuinely in the heart of everything without feeling like you’re sleeping in a shopping mall, it works really well. The whole Carnaby area gets pretty lively on weekend evenings, which is either a pro or con depending on what you’re after. I actually enjoyed it – felt like I was staying somewhere with actual character rather than some sterile chain hotel bubble. If you’re the type who wants to feel connected to the city rather than insulated from it, and you don’t need someone to carry your bags and call you “sir” every five minutes, this place delivers.