Honestly, when I first walked up to this place on Chapel Market, I wasn’t sure what to expect – the street’s got this great mix of old-school London charm and that slightly chaotic energy you get in proper Islington neighborhoods. But stepping into this spacious home, you immediately get why it’s earned its four stars. The space just breathes in a way most London accommodations absolutely don’t, and I mean that literally – you’re not bumping into furniture every time you turn around.
What really won me over wasn’t just the room to actually spread out (though trust me, after cramming into those shoebox hotel rooms around King’s Cross, this felt like a luxury), it was how perfectly positioned you are for exploring this part of North London. Chapel Market itself is this brilliant little strip that locals actually use – there’s a proper market most days where you can grab fresh produce and that sort of thing, plus some genuinely good cafes that haven’t been completely touristified yet. You’re maybe a ten-minute walk to Angel tube station, which honestly makes getting anywhere in London pretty straightforward, and Upper Street’s right there with all its restaurants and pubs. I found myself popping out for quick errands or meals way more than I usually do when staying somewhere, just because everything felt so accessible and, well, normal.
The 7.6 rating feels about right to me – it’s solid without being flashy, and there are those little quirks you get with converted residential spaces (the shower pressure was fine but not amazing, and you can definitely hear the market setting up in the mornings if you’re a light sleeper). But you know what? Those minor things fade when you’re sitting in a space that actually feels like a home rather than a sterile hotel room. The neighborhood comes alive differently throughout the day too – busy market energy in the morning, office workers grabbing lunch, then settling into that lovely early evening pub atmosphere. If you’re the type who likes staying somewhere that feels connected to actual London life rather than just tourist London, this place delivers on that completely. Plus, parking isn’t the nightmare it could be in this area, which anyone who’s driven in Islington will appreciate.