196 Bishopsgate

I know I am pretty picky about my experience with out-of-home stays. This time with the serviced appartment, it is no different.

Check-in was a breeze and the staff is trying to help where they can. I had a executive one bedroom appartment. It is spacey, but I'd expect more atmosphere in a 4-star (as advertised here) residence; there were no curtains in the living room and bed room; only blinders which didn't keep the light out very well.

It is also pretty noise, you can hear your neighbour on the floor above you walking and talking, which did wake me up at 6am as his (or her) day was starting. It isn't very sound proof.

The location is great, 50 meters from the Liverpool station and close to the City.

If you have a weekend rate, it could be worth it, but the lack of atmosphere doesn't give that homey feeling. If you pay normal rate, I don't think it is worth it. I'd rather stay in a hotel with some extra features instead of the extra space.

This hotel is very very centrally located across the road from Liverpool street station. The apartments are pretty nice and finished to good spec. Its not exactly cheap but when you consider the equivilant hotels around the area and the kitchen & laundry facilities - its actually good value for money. Good amount of shops in the area to buy food. And right around the corner from Spittalfield Market which is fantastic for food. Have stayed in couple of times and will continue to use when working in the area. - Only 2 cricisims is no gym, but thats not that big a deal. Plus the internet is done through some weird third party vendor , where you have to enter your details on some website along with credit card info, personally i'd prefer to pay on bill or on account than this method.

For about the same price of a nice (4 star) hotel in central London, we stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment. Our party of 2 adults and 2 pre-teen boys had plenty of room to spread out. The rooms were spacious by London standards. It was nice to have a full kitchen and a washer/dryer because we were there for a week and didn't have to eat out for every meal. They also provide basic necessities such as hand and body soap, dishwashing and laundry detergents, basic condiments (sugar, salt, pepper). The only drawback was that the washer/dryer was difficult to figure out and did not do a good job in drying clothes.

The staff at 196 Bishopsgate was very friendly and helpful. They accommodated our many requests with a good attitude and without complaint.

There are several bus lines that generally go south (e.g. Tower of London, London Bridge, Waterloo station, London Eye) just outside of the entrance to 196 Bishopsgate. The Liverpool Street Rail station includes the Underground station that's on the Central, Circle, and Hammersmith & Circle lines. Spitalfields Market is around the corner and I recommend a trip to check our the open air stall, shops, and restaurants. Brick Lane with its many Indian restaurants are also within walking distance.