Ruth was a helpful, welcoming and engaging host. She was prompt and patient whenever I had questions. I loved my room - the bed was very comfortable, the desk was the perfect size, and the clothes rack, iron, and laundry facilities were godsends. The central heating was just right, and she even had some lovely fresh flowers in the room.
I spent a couple of days staying in the flat due to fatigue, and it’s a very comfortable place to relax if you need a break from sightseeing. Ruth has several bookcases full of nonfiction, fiction and poetry. The bowl of fruit in the kitchen is always full, and the bread and butter are fresh.
I appreciated how flexible she was about check-in and check-out times - I checked in earlier in the morning, which allowed me to avoid rush hour on the tube. As she had no guests coming in that day, I was able to check out in the evening and had time to take a second shower before heading to the airport!
The only thing that was inconvenient was having to drag my luggage up five winding flights of stairs. Her building is definitely better suited to people with little or no mobility issues and who don’t need mobility aids, as you need to climb those stairs every day too. It also helps if you have luggage that is fairly portable and/or are travelling with someone who can help you with it. Leicester Square Station, while very central, is a nightmare for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues, as there are no lifts, and lots of stairs to climb day in day out, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Ruth’s place is a short walk away from all sorts of cool cafes and boutiques around Soho and Covent Garden, as well as Chinatown. There are several bookshops up the road, and it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It’s also very near Charing Cross Station if you need to use the National Rail.
Food-wise, I ate breakfast in every day - Ruth has a decent range of options. In terms of nearby eateries, most of the standard food chains like Pret are a short walk away. I think the nearest pharmacy is Boots, which can be found at Charing Cross Station. Just ask Ruth though!
Tl;dr I love this flat and Ruth is great. I hope to stay here again the next time I come to London!