Sweet Dreams – Farringdon – by Frankie Says

Hotel Description

You know what? Sweet Dreams in Farringdon really surprised me. I’ll be honest – when I first saw the name “by Frankie Says,” I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this place has way more character than your typical London chain hotel. It’s tucked away in Camden (well, technically the Farringdon bit of Camden), and walking up to it, you get this sense that someone actually thought about the design instead of just slapping together another beige box.

The location is honestly brilliant if you know London at all. You’re literally minutes from Farringdon Station – I mean, you can hear the Tube rumbling if you’re in the lower floors, but it’s not annoying, more like this gentle urban lullaby. What really sold me though is how walkable everything is from here. Exmouth Market is right around the corner, and if you haven’t wandered down there for coffee and those amazing empanadas, you’re missing out. Plus, you can actually walk to King’s Cross in about fifteen minutes, which saves you a fortune on transport if you’re catching trains up north. The rooms themselves feel thoughtfully put together – nothing fancy, but there’s this attention to detail that makes you think the designers actually stay in hotels themselves. The beds are properly comfortable (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms have enough shelf space that you’re not playing Tetris with your toiletries. I particularly liked that they’ve got blackout curtains that actually work – crucial when you’re dealing with those ridiculously bright London summer mornings or the streetlights outside.

Now, the 7.2 rating makes sense when you stay here. It’s solidly good without being perfect – the kind of place where small things occasionally go wrong (the WiFi hiccupped on me once, and the lift can be slow during busy times), but the staff genuinely seem to care about fixing problems quickly. I watched them handle a mix-up at check-in with this refreshing lack of bureaucratic nonsense. The common areas have this lived-in feel that’s actually welcoming rather than sterile, and there’s usually a good mix of business travelers and tourists without either group dominating the vibe. What really works about Sweet Dreams is that it feels like it belongs in this neighborhood rather than being dropped in randomly. The ground floor has this subtle energy that spills over from the Farringdon scene – creative types grabbing coffee, people heading to the markets, that sort of authentic London buzz you can’t manufacture. It’s not the cheapest option in the area, but honestly, for a 4-star place this close to everything that matters, the value is pretty solid. Just don’t expect a pool or fancy spa – this is London hotel reality, done well.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults, 3 children

Facilities