Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard the name “Native Kings Wardrobe,” I thought it was going to be one of those trying-too-hard themed places. But walking into this spot on Carter Lane actually surprised me in the best way. It’s tucked into this narrow street that most tourists completely miss, even though you’re literally a two-minute walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral. I mean, you can hear the church bells from some of the upper floors, which is either charming or annoying depending on how you feel about being woken up at 8 AM on Sunday (personally, I loved it).
The building itself has that proper London character – you know, the kind where you feel like you’re staying somewhere with actual history instead of a glass box that could be anywhere. The rooms are honestly impressive for the City of London, where space usually costs more per square foot than gold. They’ve done this thing where it feels boutique-y without being precious about it, if that makes sense. The beds are genuinely comfortable – and I’m picky about mattresses – plus there’s actually decent water pressure in the showers, which anyone who’s stayed in older London hotels will appreciate. What really got me though was how quiet it stays at night. Carter Lane isn’t a main thoroughfare, so you don’t get the constant bus rumble that plagues hotels on bigger streets like Ludgate Hill.
Here’s what I really appreciate about the location – you’re in the absolute heart of the City, but it doesn’t feel touristy or sterile. There’s a brilliant little coffee shop called Brew literally around the corner on Warwick Lane that does proper flat whites, and if you walk five minutes toward the Thames, you hit that stretch of the riverbank where locals actually hang out. The staff seem to get that people staying here are either here for business in the Square Mile or they’re the type of travelers who want to experience London like they live here, not like they’re ticking boxes on a tour. They’ll point you toward the good pubs (try the Blackfriar – it’s a bit of a walk but worth it) instead of the obvious tourist traps. The whole experience just feels… well, authentic I guess. Which is rare enough in central London that it’s worth mentioning. Plus, with a 9.5 rating, clearly I’m not the only one who thinks they’re doing something right here.