You know what? I’ve walked past Tavistock Place dozens of times over the years, but I never really paid attention to number 2 until I actually stayed there. It’s one of those beautiful Georgian terraces that Camden does so well – the kind where you feel slightly important just walking up to the front door. The apartments here have this perfect balance of being properly London (high ceilings, original features, that satisfying creak of old floorboards) while actually functioning like a modern place to stay.
The location is honestly brilliant, though you might not realize it at first glance. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Russell Square tube – I mean, you can see the trees from some of the windows – but you’re tucked away enough that you don’t get the tourist chaos. Marchmont Street is right around the corner, and if you haven’t discovered that little strip yet, well, you’re in for a treat. Proper neighborhood feel with a decent coffee shop (try the Brunswick Centre if you want something bigger) and that whole Bloomsbury literary vibe without trying too hard. The British Museum is close enough for a morning wander, but far enough that you won’t be fighting through school groups to get home.
What really impressed me was how they’ve fitted these apartments out – it’s clear someone actually thought about how people live, not just how places look in photos. The kitchens are small but functional (you can actually cook a proper meal), and there’s decent storage space, which is rarer than it should be in London. The beds are genuinely comfortable – I’m picky about mattresses – and the bathrooms feel spacious even when they’re not massive. Some of the apartments get lovely morning light, especially the ones facing the square, though the back ones are quieter if you’re sensitive to street noise. Speaking of which, it’s surprisingly peaceful for central London, probably because Tavistock Place itself doesn’t really go anywhere, so you don’t get much through traffic.
The staff actually seem to know what they’re doing, which isn’t always a given with apartment hotels. Check-in was smooth, they sorted out a small heating issue within hours, and they didn’t make me feel like an idiot for asking where the nearest Sainsbury’s was (Marchmont Street, by the way). I stayed during a particularly busy October week, and while the area gets bustling during the day, evenings felt properly residential. You get that nice feeling of staying somewhere Londoners actually live, rather than just passing through.
Look, it’s not going to blow your mind with flashy amenities or rooftop pools – this is London, not Dubai. But if you want to feel like you’re living in the city rather than just visiting it, and you appreciate being in a neighborhood with actual character, this place gets it right. The 9.3 rating makes sense when you add it all up – good location, comfortable rooms, reasonable prices for what you get, and that intangible feeling that you’ve found somewhere locals would actually recommend to their friends.