Holywell Vacations from $1,408

This place is beautiful. They put a lot of thought into all the details. A true boutique feel. I would absolutely stay again. It is walking distance to King’s Cross Station and the surrounding area is delightful. The only reason I docked it a star is due to the check in process. I booked the place about 48 hours before arrival. They reached out through Expedia asking the time I expected to arrive and they advised I needed to fill a form out. I replied with my arrival time and I advised them the form wouldn’t open correctly (I am a tech capable individual). I did not hear back prior to the day of check in. I understand I had a short booking turn around time, but it shouldn’t have been an option if it would be too much to accommodate. I arrived on check in day a bit early with my luggage just wanting to ask if they could hold it until my room was ready. They did agree to do so, but they looked incredibly put out and acted as if I was really bothering them. I had replied asap on Expedia and had done everything they asked me to that I could. The service could have been friendlier over all. I also don’t perceive this was a cultural difference thing.

The bad: Not a real front desk. An office down a hall with a door that was once locked. Staff unavailable at check in time and ignoring all the people waiting in the front hall. Record breaking awful heat wave in the hit London during our stay. No attempt to provide window box fan to draw in night air or to get portable air conditioning units. Floor fans in the rooms helped but not enough. Bedrooms have one electric outlet only. Living room and very modern kitchen have many outlets. Why not put some in the bedrooms? Typical quirky old building that was renovated with no thought of customers. Washer was ridiculously complicated. So many buttons and no instructions. Impossible to use. Stupidest bathroom renovation. The tub is so high off the floor I had to crawl over the edge to get in to take a shower. Instead of a shower curtain there’s a half wall of glass that swings in and out and doesn’t keep the water from spraying out and if not positioned exactly right lets all the water run out onto the floor. And make sure the handheld is turned to the inside corner otherwise it will spray out and soak the room(it did-what a mess). The Shower water temperature changes constantly while you’re using it from scalding hot to frigid. No temp regulator obviously. The bathroom looks pretty. Too bad it’s so hard to use. The good: Very comfortable beds and linens. Wonderful kitchen. Location is perfect and safe. For all my complaints I’d stay there again- in winter. How’s the furnace ?

If you're looking for spacious (a rare find), self catering accommodation in London, I would highly recommend. This accommodation is on the same road as the Maida Vale tube station with easy access to Paddington and Waterloo. It has a well equipped kitchen with fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine - basically everything you need. I stayed for 5 nights and it felt so homely. Plus there's a beautiful rear garden area to relax (again, another rare find for London). I would highly recommend and hope to stay here again. Worth every penny!