You know how some hotels try way too hard to be “design-forward” and end up feeling like you’re sleeping in a showroom? Well, nhow London actually pulls it off – and I say that as someone who’s stayed in way too many places that prioritize Instagram over comfort. The moment you walk into this spot on Macclesfield Road, you get hit with this bold, almost theatrical vibe that somehow doesn’t feel pretentious. It’s like they took all that German design sensibility (nhow is part of the NH Hotel Group) and let it loose in Islington, which honestly works better than it should.
The location is one of those things that locals will nod knowingly about – you’re right in the thick of Islington but tucked away enough that you’re not dealing with the chaos of Upper Street every time you step outside. I mean, you can still hit up all the good pubs and restaurants (and trust me, there are some fantastic ones within a five-minute walk), but you’re not listening to drunk students singing at 2 AM either. The Angel tube station is close enough that you don’t need to think twice about getting into central London, but far enough that you feel like you’re actually staying in a neighborhood rather than tourist central. What really surprised me was how quiet it gets at night – Macclesfield Road isn’t one of those main drags, so you can actually sleep with the windows open in summer.
The rooms themselves are where nhow really shows off. Everything’s got these clean lines and bold colors that somehow don’t overwhelm the space, and the beds are honestly some of the most comfortable I’ve encountered in London (which is saying something, because hotel beds here can be hit or miss). The bathrooms are sleek without being cold, and they’ve got this rainfall shower situation that actually has proper water pressure – again, not always a given in London hotels. Staff-wise, they seem to genuinely know the area well. When I asked about breakfast spots, the guy at reception didn’t just rattle off the usual chains but pointed me toward this little café around the corner that does proper coffee and isn’t overrun with tourists. Check-in was smooth, no unnecessary upselling, and they sorted out my early arrival without any fuss. The whole experience felt refreshingly straightforward – good design, solid comfort, and none of that fake boutique hotel attitude. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels distinctly London but won’t leave you cramped or broke, this place gets it right.