You know what? I’ve stayed at a lot of aparthotels around London, and Wilde on Middlesex Street actually gets it right in ways that surprised me. First thing you notice walking up – it’s this sleek, modern building that somehow doesn’t feel completely out of place among the Victorian warehouses and curry houses of Spitalfields. The lobby has this warm, residential vibe rather than that sterile hotel feeling you get at chains.
The location is honestly brilliant, though I mean that in a very specific way. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Liverpool Street station (which is massive when you’re lugging suitcase up from the Underground), but here’s the thing most people don’t realize – Middlesex Street is just quiet enough that you won’t hear the constant rumble of trains. I stayed on the third floor and slept like a baby, even with the windows cracked open. During the day, you’ve got Brick Lane’s vintage shops and incredible Bangladeshi restaurants just around the corner, plus you can actually walk to the Tower of London if you’re feeling ambitious – it’s about fifteen minutes through some pretty interesting side streets.
What really sold me on this place, though, were the apartments themselves. The kitchens aren’t just decorative like some places – they’ve got proper-sized fridges, decent stovetops, and actual counter space where you can prep food. I ended up cooking breakfast most mornings using ingredients from Spitalfields Market (Sunday mornings there are chaotic but worth it for the fresh bread alone). The beds are genuinely comfortable – not too soft, good pillows – and there’s enough storage that you don’t feel like you’re living out of a suitcase. Oh, and the Wi-Fi is solid throughout, which matters if you’re trying to work or stream anything.
The staff deserves a mention too. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward, and when I had an issue with the coffee machine (user error, honestly), someone was up within ten minutes to sort it out. There’s a 24-hour front desk, which came in handy when I got locked out after a late night in Shoreditch – no judgment, just a quick key replacement.
I’ll be real with you – it’s not cheap, especially during peak season or when there’s something big happening in the City. But for the combination of space, location, and that 9.6 rating they’ve earned, it makes sense. You’re paying for the convenience of having your own kitchen and living area while being walking distance from both the financial district and some of London’s best food and nightlife. If you’re staying more than a couple nights or traveling with someone else, the extra space over a regular hotel room is actually worth the premium.