A little gem in the heart of London for you to enjoy.

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Apartment

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

Washer
Kitchen

Explore the area

London, ENG

The British Museum
‪9 min walk‬
Trafalgar Square
‪4 min drive‬
Piccadilly Circus
‪4 min drive‬
London (LCY-London City)
‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Kitchen

Dining area

About this property

A charming one bedroom very clean apartment located in a Victorian Mansion, with one sitting room with a double sofa bed to accommodate a child or a guest for one night only as it is not particularly comfortable, one double room with a very comfortable double bed, a bathroom with bath and shower, a kitchen fully equipped with dishwasher, microwave and cooking facilities.

My apartment is so quiet that at times you forget that you are in the heart of London. It is tucked away on one corner of the 4th floor - 64 stairs - which makes it very bright. There are plenty of windows as you can see from the pictures. Please bear in mind that there is no lift.

It is located near a garden Square and at the back there is a lovely courtyard with no traffic access.

It is just a 4 minutes walking distance from Holborn Station or just 2 minutes away for the nearest bus stop should you wish to travel by bus. I barely use public transport as everything is walking distance. British Museum 8 mins, Covent Garden 15 mins, Trafalgar 20 mins, Oxford Street 10 mins, Soho 13 mins. Leicester Square 15 minutes.

If you are here to explore London this is the right choice.

We are also extremely close to the legal hub of London. Originally this Mansion was built to accommodate the Barristers working in London during the week who would go back to their family country home at the weekend. The block was originally built on the grounds of Gray's Inn. One of the three Inns of Court in London. The other two are Lincoln's Inn and Inner and Middle Temple.

This apartment is ideal if you wish to stay just a week or a month. I have been living here permanently for 16 years this July and I still love it.

It is ideal for a single person, for a couple and even if you have a guest for a night as there is a double sofa bed in the living room.

Even though the flat could possibly accommodate 4 adults I do not advertise it as such because if you use the living room as another bedroom it will leave only the kitchen as a communal area and the kitchen is not big enough for that.

It will be my pleasure to meet you when you arrive and when you leave and I will also always be contactable by mobile or email should you wish to speak to me during your stay or before you book or arrive.

I am afraid but no pets are permitted and no smoking in the flat nor communal areas is allowed and please be respectful towards our neighbours.

Property manager

Luisa

Languages

English

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Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

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Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Parking available

House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)

Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)

Children

Adults only

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Please be considerate towards the neighbours

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

London

Located in London, this apartment is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Hyde Park and Russell Square, while The British Museum and Royal Opera House are cultural highlights. Check out an event or a game at Emirates Stadium, and consider making time for London Eye, a top attraction not to be missed.

London, ENG

What's nearby

The British Museum - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Leicester Square - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
Trafalgar Square - 4 min drive - 2.0 km
Piccadilly Circus - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
London Eye - 5 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

Holborn Underground Station - 4 min walk
Tottenham Court Road Station - 13 min walk
London (LCY-London City) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Square Pig - ‬2 min walk
‪Old Nick - ‬3 min walk
‪The Enterprise - ‬1 min walk
‪Eat Tokyo - ‬1 min walk
‪The Fryer's Delight - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is A little gem in the heart of London for you to enjoy. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is A little gem in the heart of London for you to enjoy. located?

Located in London City Centre, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of King's College London, The British Museum and Russell Square. University College London and Royal Opera House are also within 15 minutes. Holborn Underground Station is only a 4-minute walk and Farringdon Underground Station is 6 minutes.

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Paul J.

20 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent 1 bedroom flat with all the required amenities in a perfect, central London location

I stayed in the flat for 7 weeks & it provided all the amenities I needed for a great stay. The flat layout was very functional & it was located on the top floor with lots of windows, light & fresh air. It's central location meant that by walking, using buses or the tube everything was easy to get to quickly & efficiently. The hosts provided ongoing communication & helpful information and also allowed flexible check in & out times. I look forward to staying here the next time I am in London.

Stayed 48 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Debra N.

21 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

I very much enjoyed my stay at Luisa’s place. It was very comfortable, within walking distance of the British Library where I was spending a lot of time, around the corner from the tube, and just a short walk to a Waitrose market. The neighborhood was generally quiet but there were nearby pubs and restaurants for more lively action, if you prefer. Luisa is a very kind host and available to answer questions and concerns. I made myself right at home and felt very lucky to have found this place.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison B.

2 Jan 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This place is amazing value and a great location. It was well stocked, and a great layout.

Communication was great. I was there during the cold snap and having access to the app to manage the temperature was so helpful. This is a much better alternative to staying in a hotel in central London.

Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Malia B., Tallahassee

4 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, lovely flag

We really enjoyed our stay here. The location is so close to many things visitors to London want to see, but it’s also incredibly quiet at night. The flat gets great sunlight and was very comfortable for two of us. The kitchen is well-stocked with pots, pans, silverware, plates, etc. Great shower pressure, nice washer and dishwasher. The only thing negative was the bed, which is a bit hard and small for two (though we’re used to a king size and stayed at the flat for a month). Also be aware that it’s five stories up (4 in British floor calculations) but we didn’t mind the extra exercise. Luisa was very helpful and accommodating, with easy check-in and check-out. Would definitely stay again!

Stayed 30 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gina L.

6 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place in the heart of everything

We couldn’t have imagined a more comfortable flat to let during our stay in London. Everything was perfect - a charming, super clean space that is convenient to all the treasures in London. The location was in walking distance to anything that we could imagine doing in the city - with quick connections on the tube for everything else. The owners were so fantastic and welcoming and accommodated us like we were family. Five stars all around!

Stayed 17 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

19 May 2019

What a find!

We were looking for the experience of living in London for a whole month and were thrilled to find this jewel of an apartment. Clean, quiet, comfortable, well-appointed, centrally located within easy walking distance of the tube, buses, and many of the places we most wanted to see.

Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lauren S., Freiburg, Germany

23 Apr 2017

sparkling clean, perfect location

Every detail thoughtfully considered. Immaculate, fully functional, bright.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Theresa A.

11 Dec 2016

pleasant stay in London

The apartment is just as pictured on the site--tidy, tasteful, and well-equipped. The location is good, with the underground stop a short walk away (with access to the line from Heathrow), but you can also walk to many places, with Covent Garden especially easy. Owners are friendly, accessible, and helpful. As the other reviews have pointed out, the apartment size is best for two people, and there are a fair number of stairs, but it's nice to be on the quiet top floor.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

paul K.

25 Nov 2016

The perfect spot

This little flat is a real gem! We stayed for two weeks in October/November. Perfect southerly aspect captured the autumn sunshine. Minutes walk to Holborn underground station. Plenty of buses, good restaurants. Within walking distance of British Museum, west end theatres, Covent Garden, the Thames, the Savoy, Wigmore Hall, Oxford St, Regent St, Soho etc. A tour of the Royal Courts of Justice just ten minutes walk away. So much to see, and to do, and to taste, all so close at hand. The flat itself is very light and airy, central heating as well as opening windows, and well setup for self catering. Luisa is very warm and welcoming, and provided an excellent handover and helpful information re local environs. A word of warning: it's 80 steps to the flat, but it is absolutely worth it to be on the top floor, with so much peaceful calm in the heart of London. We would absolutely choose to stay there again, should we be so fortunate as to have another two weeks in London!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael L., Springfield, VA

23 Oct 2016

Perfect

I really can not say enough good things about this place. Luisa’s flat is exactly as described and pictured in the listing. First, the place was absolutely spotless. Second, the flat is on the top floor so there was zero noise from neighbors and it had wonderful bright natural light in every room. Lastly, this was the most well outfitted vacation rental I have ever stayed in. There was plenty of nice dish ware and cook ware, detergent for the washing machine and dish washer, fast wifi and a nice TV (with a chromecast). Luisa was a wonderful host that made it a point to meet us on our arrival and on our departure. She explained how to use everything in the flat and gave us all her local recommendations for restaurants and things to do. The overall experience was truly wonderful as we felt at home the whole time. I give this place my highest recommendation and will definitely stay here on my next visit to London.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

fabrizio m.

29 Aug 2016

A fully satisfactory experience

The apartment is located in a beautiful red-bricks building that overlooks a pleasant green square, close to Holborn underground station, at walking distance to the British Museum. Being at the 4th floor, the place is very bright and quiet. Unfortunately there is no lift (as we had been informed about this in the booking phase, it didn't represent a major issue). It is very well furnished, there is a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable bed, hi-quality linen and towels. We found it very clean and cosy. Luisa is a nice person, her welcome was friendly and warm. If back in London, for sure we will return there.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David S.

25 Aug 2016

A jewel nestled in the heart of Holborn

This compact fifth-floor flat was an ideal place to spend six wonderful weeks in London. I have nothing but praise for the apartment and its location on Red Lion Square, a little park with its own cafe open through the day. The square is just five minutes from the Holborn tube station, and many bus lines run right nearby. There are several main thoroughfares within a couple of blocks of the apartment but the park creates a kind of quiet and peaceful sanctuary. Bloomsbury, the British Museum, and Lincoln Inn fields are all within a few minutes. Many fantastic places to eat of various cuisines within one or two blocks including a corner with three competing cafes all of which offer excellent breakfasts and sandwiches. An attractive pub called the Square Pig seems to be a local institution, and being London there are several more within a stones throw. The flat has great natural light from high windows, a great shower, and a compact kitchen that had everything I needed (although one time I bought some ice cream before remembering that there isn't a freezer - I had some vanilla soup which was fine). The owners are gracious and considerate hosts who met me when I arrived and saw me off on the last day. I miss the flat and neighborhood already.

Stayed 41 nights in Jul 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joan L.

3 July 2016

Nice flat!

The apartment was very clean, bright, cheerful -- and in a great location. It is relatively small but arranged well and fully-equipped. It is very quiet in the building. The neighborhood is quite nice and has many restaurants, coffee shops, etc. and two nearby grocery stores. The convenient location made it easy to walk many places of interest from the apartment. The tube station (Holborn) was close (2-3 blocks) and a very good starting point for anywhere we wanted to go. If we return to London for another week next year, we will try to get the same place. The owner (Luisa) is very nice and helpful.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nina d.

13 June 2016

What a fantastic apartment in London!

This apartment is a real FIND. I stayed here by myself for six nights and it was everything and MORE than I could have hoped for. Truly wonderful. First of all, let’s talk location-location-location. The closest tube stop is a short walk away and the apartment is situated in a vibrant area of London. You have access to two lines on the underground and getting around town is EASY. I loved how I could easily walk to the theatre district + the British Museum, the British Library, Trafalgar Square, and the Courtauld Museum, for example. The kitchen is equipped with an excellent gas stove, but I was very taken by all the casual eateries in the neighborhood that had healthy options so I did a lot of “take away” / “take out” during my visit. What I particularly loved was that supermarkets & groceries (and an authentic French patisserie too) were all close by. The apartment has large windows that bring in a lot of light. And the quiet of the building is so welcome. The living room is very comfortable with a sofa, chair & table and wide screen TV. Every room in the apartment was so clean & neat. In the bedroom I loved the comforter on the bed (and I wish I could find one like it at home). When I arrived I was determined to use my laptop during my stay. However, I learned that I had brought the wrong electrical adapter with me. No problem! Luisa the owner put her partner Michael in charge of the issue. He went out to a store IMMEDIATELY and purchased the correct electrical adapter for me. That was a very generous gesture indeed. If I had a question at any time, Luisa the owner was available to communicate with me right away. She was so helpful to me during my stay. I HIGHLY recommend this apartment – it was terrific in every way!

Stayed 6 nights in May 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Hillel S.

9 Dec 2015

Perfect location, near-perfect situation, thoughtful furnishings, and fine owners

The only reason we cannot allot five stars to this apartment is that it is five floors up (sixty-four steps) without a lift. This was not a surprise, as it is clearly mentioned in the online advertisement. Everything else (with one exception, noted below) was delightful. Luisa was swiftly responsive via email and text, and met us at the apartment to give us a warm greeting and comprehensive tour. Not that the place is huge but that is has everything you might want, and all in working order---full kitchen, wi-fi, dishwasher, washing machine, converter plugs for American or continental devices, excellent thermostat, small table that transforms from a table for two into a table for three or four, television, guide books, pull-out couch in the living room. (The pull-out couch is, however, not particularly comfortable once pulled out, since it appears either to have lost its springiness or never had springs to begin with, so our one overnight guest told us.) The apartment is quiet and well-windowed, unlike many hotels and b&bs in the area, and is within easy walking distance of excellent restaurants of all sorts, at least three supermarkets, an electronics components store (if you need batteries etc.), the Holborn tube station, and buses galore. Twenty minutes' walk or thereabouts will get you to the British Museum (West), the Strand and the Courtauld Museum and Covent Garden (South), the City and the Tower (East), Euston and St. Pancras Station (North). An ideal location for scholars as well as tourists, since you easily walk to the British Library, LSE, the School of Oriental and Asian Studies, University of London library, Courtauld Institute, Warburg Institute.

Stayed 11 nights in Nov 2015

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lillian W.

14 Aug 2015

A perfectly fabulous place to stay in London!

My daughter and I have very much enjoyed Luisa’s perfect little London apartment for part of our stay in the U.K. My daughter has been attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for the summer (a twenty minute walk away,) and I have been exploring museums -- all within easy walking distance -- after visiting with my family that had gathered for a wedding, and have since gone off to travel in France. Luisa’s apartment is clean, charming, and equipped with everything a busy traveller could want or need. It is indeed a home away from home! We have enjoyed the cool breezes that gently blow through the open windows of this fourth floor apartment. This is especially true after staying in a 4 star hotel nearby where the air conditioning broke down! This summer has been particularly hot in London, but we have found Luisa’s place to be perfect in terms of its nice cooler temperatures in the evenings. The location of this flat is also spectacular. Not only close to the best of London’s West End, including a fantastic range of top class theatre shows, musicals, cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, and museums (especially the British Museum, which is free to enter,) but also other tourist attractions like Covent Garden. In the Covent Garden area a great place to visit is also ‘Seven Dials,’ which hosts flower, music, and food festivals on a regular basis in the summer. Luisa herself is a charming host, as his her partner, Michael, who helped out with our luggage when we arrived. We loved talking to both of them, and found them to be a source of interesting local information that folks like us from the USA very much enjoyed hearing and learning about. Luisa and Michael even left us a nice afternoon tea! A friendly kettle, plenty of tea bags and a chocolate cake and milk in the fridge! I would rush to book this place if I was returning to London soon. It is an absolute gem.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

7 Aug 2015

Perfect Spot for Exploring London

Location! This apartment is an ideal jumping off point for exploring London and its surrounds. The nearest tube stations is a mere 3 minute walk and is fortunately on the Piccadilly line, offering a straight shot in from Heathrow airport without any train changes, making transport into the city after a long flight relatively hassle free. Of course the tube goes everywhere in the city and links to many train stations that lead out of the city, so the proximity of the tube station makes for easy transport anywhere you wish. However, if walking is your preference, and London is a wonderful walking city, the apartment is centrally located and within easy walking distance - a mile or less - of theater, museums, shops, the Thames, and Waterloo Station, to name a few. The apartment is neat, very clean, bright, open, and quiet, sitting on a side street off of a little square, providing an oasis from the bustling city. The kitchen is small, but provides all necessary amenities - refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, and electric tea kettle with a French press for coffee drinkers. The bathroom provides good water pressure for hot showers and a good sized tub for those who prefer a bath. There is a sizeable closet and bureau in the bedroom for clothes storage and a handy shoe bin by the front door. The bedroom has a double bed and the living room a very easy-to-use fold out sofa bed with a reasonably comfortable mattress. There are plenty of clean sheets and towels. There is a washing machine in the kitchen as well, which we did not use. The WiFi worked extremely well. We did not use the TV. My mother and I stayed here 9 days. Luisa and Michael, our hosts, met us upon arrival. They are gracious, extremely helpful, and kindly left welcome treats in the fridge. They had tourist guides for London and suggestions for surrounding attractions as well as directions for any place we wanted to go. They suggested grocery stores, local restaurants, and shops, all a few minutes walk from the apartment for eating out or easy take away. They were readily available for any troubles or questions, but we had none. One caveat: this is a fourth floor walkup with no elevator. That might be limiting for some. Otherwise I would highly recommend this place for couples, a family with one child, or two friends or family members traveling together. The building is quiet and the apartment is small and best suited for those looking for that kind of arrangement.

About the host

Hosted by Luisa

I love living in central London as I like going to exhibitions, theatres, restaurants and just walking around looking at the architecture. Finding a new pub where to stop is always very exciting, you never know what beers they have or what type of food they serve. Despite the fact that I have been living at the flat for nearly 16 years I still find discovering new things very enriching. I am very happy to share my knowledge of central London with you. Please do not hesitate to ask me.

Why they chose this property

Because I love London and this apartment is the perfect location to see it.

What makes this property unique

The flat is very clean, comfortable and practicable; it is beautiful to me. I like bright and quiet places and my apartment is a little oasis in the heart of London.

Languages:

English

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A little gem in the heart of London for you to enjoy.

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property