Sara and Alex responded quickly to my initial inquiry. The room was as described: very spacious, private, and clean. The building was a cinema in the 1930’s and has been converted to loft flats. There is an elevator and a few stair steps to get to the elevator, but it was not a problem with suitcases. The room was equipped with a long free standing hanger rack and plenty of hangers. I was traveling 10 days on business and really appreciated this feature. The room came with a hairdryer, travel size shampoos, soaps, and Q-tips. There was a good selection of street maps and travel guides. Sara was away during my stay. Alex met me and was good enough to accommodate my travel schedule so that I could check-in in the morning after a night flight to drop off items before heading to my office. He got me acquainted with the space, showed me where the tea’s were, how to operate the shower and the room heater, looked up the bus numbers that service that area, and all in all was a great host for a first time traveler to London.

The flat is a few blocks from Bishopsgate Road, which is where several buses run either towards the City or across Tower Bridge. It is within a 25 minute walk of the Bank of England (financial district). I worked late several evenings, and I felt safe walking the streets at 11.00 PM. With regard to urban noise, I was here in November so double-paned windows kept noise muffled. Although, one night there was much clanging of an exterior metal door a few doors down. It is a lively area, so you have access to restaurants, pubs, Spitalfields Market and shops within a 5 minute walk, and the typical city noise that comes with it.

Alex and Sara have been in the loft since March, so this will be their first winter in the space. The guest bathroom has a stone floor and brick walls with a heater perched above the bathroom doorway that one activates as needed. Because of the materials and heating source of this room, it made for a brisk shower experience! Alex, during my orientation, offered the main bathroom for showering suggesting that the water pressure in that one was preferable to the guest shower. I appreciated his giving me a heads-up, but used the guest shower. The common space was very comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped, so much so that I was able to make a pot of soup one evening.

If this is your first or fifth trip to London, I recommend this place because of its accessibility to public transport, the interesting things to see within walking distance, the comfort of the flat, and the hosts’ welcoming style.