I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with London. I visited with my parents a long, long time ago and did all the touristy things which I loved and had a particular mad night out in a night club called Roadhouse in 2005, which I also loved. But other than that, it’s just somewhere I have to pass through to get to Eastbourne once a month. The tube is always too hot, no one smiles at you, it’s £15 for two glasses of wine and a pigeon stole half my sandwich at Kings Cross about a month ago.
In May, Ang and I decided it was quite a while since we’d spent some nostalgic time together, dancing around to cheesy 90s boy bands whilst high on Wetherspoons chocolate fudge cake, so we booked tickets to see O-Town at the O2 Academy in Islington.
Not being overly familiar with accommodation options and hearing horror stories about the Travelodge in Kings Cross (there’s a reason it’s only £30 a night you know),e decided to let trusty Booking,com seal our fate and booked the cheapest 4* rated accommodation we could find in the area. This turned out to be The Luxury Inn on Tottenham Road; a double room for £85 a night with private facilities.
I’ve been burnt before by places or services that use words like ‘Luxury’ or ‘Quality’ ironically in their name, as inevitably they’re unable to live up to their own preset standards – however I was very impressed with this quaint little abode.
First of all it’s easy to get to from Kings Cross; 1 stop on the Tube to Islington then 2 stops on the overland train to Dalston Junction from where it’s only a 5 minute walk. This little guesthouse has been set up in an old refurbished printworks and has 4 separate rooms; all with en suite facilities and a communal kitchen/dining room/ lounge area with free wifi throughout and self-serve breakfast free of charge.
The rooms (a double – because me and Ang just love to snuggle) was immaculately clean and decorated to a really high spec; Apple TV including Netflix, a large comfy king sized bed, toiletries and a Dyson air fan for if it gets too warm. You’re issued with your own front door and bedroom door key on arrival, so are able to come and go as you please without the hassle of having to bypass a reception if you happen to be rolling in at 5am (we were tucked up in bed by 11pm, just for full disclosure).
It’s ideally located as well, not just for the O2 Academy which was about a 25 minute walk away, but there’s a great pub literally next door (The Hunter S) – although it’s £15 for two glasses of wine, because, you know, London. And is a 2 minute walk to Essex Road which has got loads, and loads (and loads) more pubs and restaurants.
The one bad thing about this place? There’s no door on the bathroom, which means if you’re sharing a room with someone you’re going to have to be pretty comfortable with them and their daily ablutions, or in our case stay out the way and turn the volume on the telly up.
I hear some horror stories about hotels in London, with even Travelodges and Premier Inns coming in at well over £120, so for £85 a night for such a well-kept place is an absolutely steal and will definitely be booking again next time I need to stay over in the Big Smoke.
I was so impressed, the guy who runs it couldn’t do enough for you and it was such high spec, I wished we were staying longer!