You know what caught me off guard about Flat 2? The name makes it sound like some random apartment rental, but honestly, this place punches way above its weight class. I mean, we’re talking prime Hans Crescent here – you’re literally a two-minute stumble from Harrods’ back entrance, and if you know anything about this slice of Knightsbridge, you’ll appreciate how mental that location actually is.
The building itself has this understated thing going on that I really dig. It’s not trying to scream luxury at you like some of the flashier spots around here, but the moment you step inside, there’s this quiet sophistication that feels very… I don’t know, very London proper? The rooms are genuinely well thought out – and I say this as someone who’s stayed in way too many cramped London hotels where you can barely open your suitcase. Here, they’ve actually used the space intelligently, with these clever storage solutions that don’t make you feel like you’re living in a puzzle box. The beds are properly comfortable too, which honestly shouldn’t be noteworthy but you’d be surprised how many four-star places get this basic thing wrong.
What really sells this place for me though is how it sits in the neighborhood. Hans Crescent is one of those streets that tourists walk past without really noticing, but locals know it’s gold – you’ve got the Tube station (Knightsbridge) right there, Harvey Nichols is a literal stone’s throw away, and here’s something the guidebooks won’t tell you: there’s this fantastic little coffee spot called Peggy Porschen just around the corner that does these incredible cakes if you’re into that sort of thing. The area gets busy during shopping hours, sure, but it quiets down beautifully in the evenings. I actually found myself just wandering around after dinner because the streets have this lovely, almost village-y feel once the day-trippers head home.
The staff seem to get that they’re running a proper hotel, not just fancy serviced apartments – there’s always someone at reception who actually knows the area well enough to give you decent recommendations. They pointed me toward this brilliant pub, The Nag’s Head, that I never would have found otherwise. Check-in was smooth, no drama with early arrival, and they stored my bags without making it feel like I was asking for a massive favor. The 8.2 rating makes perfect sense to me – it’s the kind of place that doesn’t have any glaring issues, does the important stuff really well, and sits in a location that makes everything else you want to do in London feel achievable. If you’re someone who values being in the thick of things without paying Savoy prices, this is exactly the sort of find that makes you feel a bit smug about your travel planning skills.