Do not recommend. I should say that I have never left a bad AirBnB review until now and have stayed in many; this was not a good experience. We rented two different properties in London on this trip, the first in the center of Leicester Square with good security and a breeze of a check in process. This check in process was complicated with multiple steps and we didn’t receive the code to get the key until after check in, which was difficult because we didn’t have cell coverage and left me sitting at a Pret waiting with all our stuff to use Wi-Fi. I tried to contact them 5 weeks before my stay to see if luggage drop off an hour or two early could be arranged, they didn’t answer until multiple reach outs over 3 weeks. They finally said the check in team (who only communicate via WhatsApp or phone, not the Airbnb app) would be in touch closer to checkin and that “your requests have also been noted and suitable options would be provided”; when I finally got in touch with the team and asked the day before check in I was told that it should have been arranged in advance so I just gave up.
You have to send them copies of your IDs/passports electronically a couple days before check in. Based on the unclear house rules (that I was reminded multiple times I had already agreed to)I thought I’d have to present them before checking in like at a desk or something - I was not comfortable sending my personal docs electronically but was stuck by that point. They had me pay a 500 pound refundable nuisance fee with very squishy terms as to how it is refunded, and a 5-15 day return window - no parties/pets/extra guests is easy but “noise and nuisance etc” makes me nervous so I had my kids stay practically silent since I can’t afford to lose that $$.
In communications with this company, they call this a “self catered service accommodation apartment” which is not in the listing and apparently means not working with you until right before check in and to leave sheets/towels in the laundry from the last guest for you to cycle through for the next guest. Both machines were full upon arrival; I was not paying them to do their laundry. The dryer had been run but everything was still wet and and the machine did not function, it kept turning off after 5 minutes and then didn’t start at all. I was told by them to hang their laundry in the apartment- there was a ton of it, literally no place to do that nor should I have to. They then just said to leave it when I protested. The cleaning was adequate but not good- I wiped down the countertops I the kitchen and there was dried food in several places, corners had dirt/hair buildup.
There is a Ring camera doorbell on the door so I suspect your movements are monitored.
Positives? There is a manned security desk at the entrance to this building. Aldgate East tube station is right around the corner. You are in a corner 10th floor apartment with good views, and the 11th floor rooftop deck was downright awesome. If you are a group just looking for a place to crash and don’t really care about the apartment but want a stellar place to hang out outside, then this may be just the place for you. It was not a comfortable process/ setting for my family at all.