Honestly, when I first walked up to this place on Swinton Street, I almost missed it – which is actually kind of perfect because it feels more like you’re staying at a friend’s incredibly well-appointed flat than some obvious tourist hotel. The building has that classic London brick facade that blends right into the Camden streetscape, but once you’re inside, you realize you’ve stumbled onto something pretty special.
The apartment itself is genuinely luxurious without being stuffy about it. I mean, the kitchen alone made me want to actually cook instead of just heating up Tesco meal deals – proper marble countertops, high-end appliances that actually work (you know how rare that is), and enough space to spread out if you’re traveling with someone who insists on making elaborate breakfasts. The living area flows naturally from the kitchen, with these huge windows that let in tons of light during the day. What really got me though was the attention to detail… like, the shower pressure is absolutely perfect, the bed linens are the kind you want to steal, and there’s proper blackout curtains for those summer nights when London decides darkness is optional.
Location-wise, you’re in this sweet spot where you get the energy of Camden without the chaos of the main high street. Swinton Street is quiet enough that you won’t hear drunk tourists at 2 AM, but you’re literally a five-minute walk to King’s Cross St. Pancras – and I actually timed it because I’m neurotic about catching trains. The whole King’s Cross area has transformed into something really cool over the past few years, with Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square right there if you want to wander around. Plus, honestly, having access to basically every train line in London from King’s Cross makes day trips ridiculously easy. The Eurostar terminal is right there too, so if you’re planning to hop over to Paris or Brussels, you could literally walk to the station with your luggage.
There’s also this great little Italian place called Biagio on the same street that locals actually go to – not touristy at all, just really solid pasta and the kind of neighborhood vibe that makes you feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting. The only minor thing I’d mention is that parking around here can be a bit of a nightmare if you’re driving, but honestly, why would you drive in London anyway? The tube connections are so good from King’s Cross that you can get anywhere in the city without dealing with traffic or congestion charges.
What really sells this place for me is that it strikes this perfect balance – you get hotel-level service and quality, but with the space and comfort of having your own place. It’s particularly great if you’re staying for more than just a couple nights, because you can actually settle in and live a bit. The 8.5 rating feels about right… it’s excellent without being perfect, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.