Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw the name “Deluxe Apartment – Next to Kings Cross,” I rolled my eyes a bit. Kings Cross used to be pretty rough around the edges, you know? But honestly, this place surprised me in the best way possible. The location on Bridgeway Street is actually brilliant – you’re literally a few minutes’ walk from both Kings Cross St. Pancras (hello, Eurostar to Paris!) and Euston Station, but tucked away enough that you’re not dealing with the constant rumble of trains or crowds of confused tourists dragging suitcases at 6 AM.
The apartment itself feels properly lived-in rather than sterile hotel room vibes. I mean, it’s got that 4-star polish without being fussy about it. The kitchen actually has everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Waitrose near Camden Road – and trust me, after a few days of London restaurant prices, you’ll appreciate being able to make your own coffee in the morning. The bedroom was quiet enough, though you’ll hear the occasional siren (it’s London, after all), and the bed was one of those where you actually sleep well instead of waking up feeling like you wrestled with the mattress all night. What really got me though was the little touches – proper thick towels, decent water pressure in the shower, and windows that actually open when you want fresh air.
Camden’s got this great energy that’s hard to explain until you experience it. You’re close enough to walk to the markets on weekends if that’s your thing, but far enough from the touristy chaos that you can actually breathe. The Regent’s Canal is basically on your doorstep – perfect for those early morning walks when jet lag has you up anyway. And here’s something the booking sites don’t tell you: there’s this fantastic pub called The Black Cap just around the corner that does proper Sunday roasts, and the staff at the apartment will actually give you decent recommendations instead of just pointing you toward the nearest chain restaurant. The whole area’s got this mix of proper Londoners and people from all over the world, probably because of the train connections, so it feels authentically London without being stuffy. You know what sealed it for me? Walking back late one evening from a show in the West End, and realizing I felt completely comfortable in the neighborhood. That 8.6 rating makes sense – it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in London, but it absolutely nails what most travelers actually want: a clean, comfortable base where you can sleep well and get anywhere in the city without planning your life around transport connections.