I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Sonder The Arts Council on Great Peter Street, I wasn’t expecting much from the exterior. It’s tucked into this row of typical Westminster buildings, but once you step inside, there’s this immediate shift to something more contemporary and thoughtful. The lobby has this clean, almost gallery-like feel that makes sense given the name, though it’s not pretentious about it.
What really won me over was the location – and I mean this in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Sure, you’re a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey and Big Ben (you can actually hear the bells if you’re on the higher floors), but here’s what the guidebooks don’t tell you: Great Peter Street is just quiet enough that you won’t have tour groups trampling past your window at 7 AM. Yet you can walk to St. James’s Park in about three minutes, which honestly became my morning routine. The Tate Britain is maybe a ten-minute stroll along the Thames, and there’s this excellent little sandwich shop called Grumbles just around the corner that locals actually use – not tourist prices, decent coffee.
The rooms themselves have that modern apartment vibe that Sonder does well, though some are definitely better than others. I stayed in one of the corner units and had these unexpectedly large windows that let in tons of light. The kitchenette was actually functional – not just a mini-fridge and a prayer – which saved me a fortune on London breakfast prices. You know what I appreciated? The shower had proper water pressure, and the bed was firm enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been sleeping on a marshmallow. Small things, but they matter when you’re dealing with jet lag. The Wi-Fi was solid throughout, and there’s a decent workspace setup if you need to get things done. My only real gripe was that the walls are a bit thin – I could hear conversations from the hallway, though it quieted down after about 10 PM most nights. Check-in was seamless through their app system, which felt slightly impersonal but undeniably efficient when you just want to drop your bags and explore.
Look, Westminster can feel overwhelming and touristy, but this spot manages to put you right in the thick of things while still giving you a genuine London neighborhood feel. The 8.7 rating makes sense to me – it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in the city, but it delivers on the things that actually matter when you’re exploring London. Plus, being able to walk to Parliament, the river, and multiple tube stations without feeling like you’re staying in Times Square equivalent? That’s worth something.