Honestly, when I first saw the name “City Air Apartments – HATTON GARDEN – GREAT TRANSPORT LINKS,” I thought it sounded a bit… well, like someone was trying too hard with the caps lock. But you know what? They’re not wrong about those transport links, and this place actually surprised me in the best way.
The location on Greville Street is pretty much perfect if you want to feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. I mean, you’re literally in Hatton Garden – that’s London’s jewelry quarter for those who don’t know – so there’s this fascinating mix of diamond dealers, quirky cafes, and proper Londoners going about their daily business. The nearest tube is Farringdon, which is maybe a three-minute walk (and honestly, Farringdon connects you to everywhere – Crossrail, Metropolitan line, the works). What I loved is that you can wander down to Leather Lane Market during lunch hours and grab some of the best street food in central London, or head the other direction toward Clerkenwell and stumble into these hidden wine bars that feel like secrets.
The apartments themselves have that modern-but-not-sterile vibe that’s actually hard to find in London. They’ve clearly put thought into the details – proper blackout curtains (thank god, because London summer mornings start ridiculously early), decent water pressure in the showers, and kitchenettes that are small but functional enough that you could actually cook if you wanted to. The 4-star rating feels about right; it’s not luxury, but everything works and feels clean and thought-out. I stayed on the third floor and barely heard any street noise, which is pretty impressive considering you’re in Zone 1. The check-in was smooth – they use one of those keypad systems, so no awkward timing around reception hours. One small thing that bugged me was the wifi could be a bit patchy in the evenings when everyone’s streaming, but during the day it was fine for working.
What really sold me on this place, though, was how it felt after a few days. You start recognizing the guy who runs the coffee cart on the corner, you figure out that the Tesco Express stays open late when you need emergency supplies, and you realize you can walk to Covent Garden in about ten minutes or hop over to King’s Cross in five minutes on the tube. It’s that sweet spot where you’re central enough to do everything but tucked away enough that it doesn’t feel touristy. The 8.2 rating makes sense – it’s reliably good without being flashy about it. Perfect for people who want a proper London base without paying hotel prices, especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights and want to actually live a bit rather than just sightsee.