You know what struck me first about this Farringdon apartment? The balcony actually gets decent light – and I mean proper sunlight, not that sad filtered stuff you usually get in central London. It’s one of those places where you walk in and immediately think “okay, someone who lives here designed this,” not some corporate hospitality group trying to tick boxes.
The location is honestly brilliant if you know London at all. You’re right in that sweet spot where Farringdon meets Islington proper – close enough to hop on the tube at Farringdon station (which, let’s be honest, connects you to basically everywhere), but far enough from the King’s Cross chaos that you can actually sleep at night. I stayed here during a particularly busy week and was surprised how quiet it gets after 10pm, even with all the pubs nearby. Speaking of which, there’s this little gastropub called The Betsey Trotwood just around the corner that locals actually go to – not one of those tourist traps. The apartment’s got enough space that you don’t feel like you’re living out of a suitcase, which matters when you’re staying more than a couple nights. The balcony isn’t huge, but it’s big enough for morning coffee and people-watching, and honestly that’s all you need.
What I really appreciated was the practical stuff that actually works. The WiFi doesn’t cut out every five minutes, the shower has proper pressure (you’d be amazed how rare this is), and there’s enough electrical outlets that you’re not playing musical chairs with your devices. The kitchen’s well-equipped too – I mean, you’re not going to be hosting dinner parties, but you can definitely cook real meals instead of surviving on Pret sandwiches. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward, though I’d recommend confirming timing in advance since it’s not a traditional hotel setup. The building itself has that solid Victorian feel – thick walls, high ceilings, the kind of place that stays cool in summer without blasting AC constantly. You’re walking distance to Exmouth Market, which has some genuinely good food stalls and that weekend buzz without being completely overrun. And if you need to get to the City for work or tourist stuff, you’re literally a few minutes from multiple transport links. It’s not perfect – the stairs might be annoying if you’ve got heavy luggage, and the neighborhood can get a bit lively on Friday nights – but it’s the kind of place where you settle in quickly and start feeling like a temporary local rather than just another tourist passing through.