First, let me just say you have clicked on the right home for your stay in London! Matthew is an incredible host that sets the bar high for Airbnb. My husband and I spent a week at his flat, which had everything we needed. It was just a short walk from the station, the bathroom had anything you need for a shower and even toothpaste was provided. We made the croissants he provided every morning, which saved us a ton of money on breakfast!
As the trip went on, we used the kitchen more and more to cook dinner at home. The WaitRose supermarket located in Canary Wharf (just a short ride away) sold inexpensive easily baked dinners for two, which was delicious and great on a budget! It came out to about £3.50 per person. Plus whatever you buy to go with it, if you want bread or something.
During our visit, it also happened to be the hottest days London has experienced this summer! Something that we learned the hard way is that most places do not have AC in London, so it was humid and very sticky. Normally, having the windows wide open is enough to keep cool there, but for a few days that was not the case. To help us sleep, Matthew purchased a portable AC unit. I am unsure whether or not he kept it after our visit, as it really is unusual for it to be that hot and the unit is probably unnecessary all year long. My point is that Matthew anticipated our needs and did not hesitate to meet them. Which is more than I expected from a host.
I think one of the best parts of staying with Matthew was our conversations with him! He knows so much about London and has an entire guide he personally made to help you get around, find great places to eat, and all the insider knowledge you can only get from a local.
We even took him up on his offer for a nighttime tour, which was amazing! Not only did we get to see sights we would've never had the opportunity to during the day, but it felt like the real London experience because you got to see it through the eyes of someone who lives there. I would say this was easily one of the best parts of our trip.
Once you book with him and you finally arrive, (because you know that you will after this), make sure to try the peach iced tea! I am now addicted to it and miss it dearly.