My stay at Alison's place was very pleasant. The house is charming and full of characters. The room comes with its own private bath room which is a plus. Alison was very helpful in giving directions, recommendations on restaurants and shopping. An immensely talented artist, Alison was a great company and had plenty of stories to share over some wine. She made me feel very welcomed at her place. It can be a tad noisy in the morning though as its just on the main road, if you really want to sleep in in the morning. But I would definitely recommend this place for solo travelers who want to stay off the beaten track, and would gladly stay here again! Ps: Hackney has no shortage of vintage shops, designer outlets, artisan cafes, theaters and even a curiosity shop!