I apologize for writing a review so late - my trip back to China under the influence of COVID-19 was too long to allow for timely feedback. Here are all my feelings. You can have an unforgettable life living in this loft.
Atmosphere and decor: vibrant, authentic and full of artistry. You can enjoy the electric piano, guitar and phonograph, and every amenity in the loft is so romantic that I felt like I was staying in the home of an old friend rather than a cold commercial hotel. Almost immediately on the first day I arrived I had a strong sense of belonging to this place.
Facilities: Apart from my favorite musical instrument, this loft has all the amenities, WiFi, oven, bathtub, refrigerator, washing machine, toaster, kettle, heater, fan, and a whole lot of kitchenware and tableware to meet daily needs.
Transportation: The metro and bus stops are only a two-minute walk away! Yes, two minutes! It only takes thirty minutes to reach the city center by subway, which is very convenient and basically does not require frequent transfers. I think this is just the right distance to help you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the peace and quiet. But at the same time, it won't make you too lonely and every time you can be ready to go for a cocktail in the lively downtown. Alternatively, you can likewise take the tube to Heathrow Airport, which is very convenient.
Food: I highly recommend that travelers who like Japanese food don't miss this place. It's just so convenient, with a supermarket where you can buy fresh sashimi and Japanese sake, and two very good and not very expensive Japanese restaurants. It's very close, only a five minute walk at most! There is also a larger Sainbury‘s supermarket here, also two or three minutes away.
Guidance: The landlord left an instruction booklet with any information you might want. They include how to use the facilities in the loft and what restaurants and attractions are recommended in the neighborhood, etc. It is very attentive and can answer most questions.
Landlord: I must single this out - I love Lyla! She is a very friendly, sweet girl and the best landlord I have ever met. I stayed here for a month and bothered her a few times, but without fail she was very patient and prompt in helping me. Lyla I miss you so much!
Possible drawbacks.
I. Stairs It is important to note that this is a loft in a townhouse and to get back home you first have to climb the stairs. The stairs are not long, but they are rather narrow and have a somewhat high gradient. As an example, if you are wearing slim heels or your suitcase is over 26 inches, you may have some difficulty going up the stairs.
II. Sound Overall this loft is very well soundproofed, except for the fact that it is so close to the subway station that you can often hear the sound of the subway moving. This is not a problem for me, I think it is very much like white noise and very helpful to sleep :) but if your sleep quality is not very good and you are easily woken up, the landlord Lyla has the same earplugs for you.
III. Height If you're over 185cm, you might be prone to hitting your head - it's certainly not that the whole space is narrow, in fact this loft is very open - it's just that when you walk into the master bedroom, you have to walk through half a meter of space, It's like a hollowed out square triangle, high in the middle, but the walls on the left and right are very low, and occasionally hit your head when you're not paying attention.
IV. Microwave oven Please note that there is no microwave oven in the loft, if this facility is important to you, you can take this into account. Finally, I would like to add a few extra details that I personally really like.
First of all, it is a loft with elegant and lovely steps and beautiful skylights. I woke up on the fourth morning of my stay to heavy rain in London, but I was pleasantly surprised because the sound of the rain dripping on the skylight was so incredibly romantic that I stood under the skylight and reached out to touch the window glass and felt the rain through it, and it was a very calming moment for me. I highly recommend friends who like to listen to the sound of rain to try living here.
Secondly, I live alone and I think this place is also perfect for living alone - you can have a full space with a spacious master bedroom to the left of the stairs and a studio with musical instruments to the right. It's like a secret base that fulfills my childhood visions and fantasies and makes me feel like I'm in a fairy tale. Such an atmosphere calms your mind, removes a lot of anxiety and restlessness, and is extremely helpful in thinking things through.
Finally, I remember Lyla recommending something like this: stepping on the wooden floor with bare feet. I must admit it's very relaxing and there have been many times I've played music, laid on the wooden floor and felt like I had nothing more worthwhile to pursue in my life hahahahahaha. That's all I'm trying to say! Perhaps a bit long-winded, but I am eager to share my experience of staying here with Lyla and any future travelers who come to stay here. The month I stayed here has become a very precious and unforgettable memory. In fact, I already miss it now. I look forward to going back in the future!
Best wishes to sweet Lyla! x