Wondering where to stay during your next break in the English capital? Situated in the lively neighborhood of Islington, Citadines Islington London brings a fresh perspective to luxury living, combining the comforts of a home with the convenience and amenities of a hotel – so whether you’re planning a short weekend escape or a longer stay in the city, it might just be the perfect place.
Set in the former Royal Mail postal sorting centre, built in 1907, this stylish serviced accommodation is designed to cater to a wide range of guests, and offers all you need for a memorable stay – whether you’re a business traveller, tourist, or visiting as a family.
From its prime location to its thoughtfully designed rooms, it certainly seems to tick all the right boxes. Recently, I checked in to find out more about what it had to offer so that I could give you the full breakdown.
Location
When it comes to locations in London, Islington is up there with the best of them. In essence, it’s an area that feels quintessentially London but offers a quieter, more relaxed pace compared to the hustle and bustle of the major central tourist hubs.
Just a stone’s throw from both City and Camden, which can be easily reached from the nearby Angel or Islington underground stations, its strategic position makes it the perfect choice whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.
If it’s the latter though, and you’re not staying long, then you may well find that you don’t even need to leave the area, because Islington is awash with trendy eateries, unique boutiques and cosy and traditional pubs to keep you busy, sated and entertained.
The location also means you’re just a short tube ride away from iconic attractions like the British Museum, Covent Garden, and the West End theatres, making Citadines Islington an ideal base for both exploration and relaxation and a top choice for travellers seeking more than just a place to sleep.
Rooms and apartments
Citadines Islington comprises a range of spacious one-bedroom studios and two-bedroom apartments offering different levels of luxury, each one thoughtfully designed with comfort and practicality in mind. All apartments come complete with beautiful high ceilings, fully-equipped kitchenettes, private bathrooms with showers, seating areas and large flat screen TVs with Chromecast and offering access to an array of channels.
The apartments are perfect for longer stays, offering more space and privacy than a typical hotel room. Their kitchenettes, complete with a microwave, fridge, coffee machine and essential kitchenware come in particularly handy if you’re staying for a little longer and allow you to really make yourself at home, giving you the flexibility to make yourself a hot drink or cook something simple to eat when you don’t feel like venturing outside.
The decor is contemporary, featuring clean lines, neutral tones, and high-quality finishes that create a calming atmosphere – and large windows allow natural light to flood in and enhance the sense of spaciousness.
In the bedrooms, large beds come kitted out with sumptuous white bedding and super comfortable pillows. Touches of navy blue add a stylish yet homely feel, and comfort and convenience are prioritised with high-speed WiFi and air conditioning, with ample storage space adding to the overall sense of ease and functionality.
The spacious layout and amenities make Citadines Islington feel less like a hotel and more like your own personal city retreat, offering a home-from-home experience where you can fully relax and unwind – or, if it’s more your speed, head out and make the most of the vibrant Islington lifestyle knowing that a comforting hideaway is waiting for you when you’re ready to come back and rest.
Style and character
Given that the aparthotel is housed in a Grade II listed building and the former Royal Mail Sorting Office, it can’t help but exude an air of historical charm – but inside, it’s thoroughly contemporary and designed to appeal to the modern traveller.
The building’s original features, such as large industrial-style windows and high ceilings, have been preserved, but blend seamlessly with the sleek, modern decor. Plush soft furnishings in the spacious lobby area adding bold pops of colour – think blues, dusky pinks and muted greens – and the overall ambiance is laid-back yet lively, with artwork reflecting the local culture and history of Islington adding an extra touch of personality to the common spaces, and industrial design elements paying homage to the building’s storied past.
Understated contemporary cool is the order of the day here; there’s nothing pretentious about it and it’s the sort of place where you feel instantly at home from the minute you set foot inside the doorway.
Services and facilities
Citadines Islington is an aparthotel, which means that guests can expect a slightly different service model compared to a traditional hotel – and in fact, it’s one of the main reasons many choose it.
A weekly cleaning service is offered for guests booked for extended stays, but you can arrange to have them come more often if it suits. There’s a self-service laundry room available for doing washing, too, which makes it easier to pack light – but if you’d rather have someone do it, along with your ironing, for you, then you can easily arrange it at reception.
Staff are friendly, attentive and available to assist with any requests whenever needed. There’s a 24-hour front desk to ensure that there is always someone on hand to help with check-ins, local recommendations, or any questions you may have during your stay.
Guests can enjoy hot drinks in the welcoming reception area, which is kitted out with plenty of soft seating where guests can relax over a cup of coffee or sit with a good book. There’s also a continental buffet breakfast served here in the mornings, from 7am to 10am during the week and 8am to 11am at the weekends.
Because it has been designed with longer stays in mind (as well as short), its amenities are well-thought out to offer maximum practicality and comfort. There is a well-equipped fitness centre that’s perfect for guests who want to maintain their gym routine during their stay, and for business travellers, there are several on-site meeting rooms available for booking that provide a professional space for working or hosting small events.
The aparthotel is pet friendly, which means you don’t have to leave your four-legged friend at home when you come – and offers an on-site parking facility, which is a rarity in central London.
Food and drink
One of the benefits of staying at Citadines Islington is the flexibility to prepare your own meals, thanks to the in-room kitchenettes. However, if you’re not in the mood to cook, then you’ll have no trouble finding some tasty food and drink in the local area.
Islington is home to a diverse array of restaurants, cafes, and bars, ranging from casual eateries to Michelin-starred dining establishments, so although the aparthotel doesn’t have its own on-site restaurant, in truth, it really doesn’t need one. Just outside the aparthotel, in Islington Square, you’ll find a selection of restaurants serving up international cuisine – from the Mediterranean-themed Megans to the eastern-inspired menu of Omnom. The area gets quite busy at the weekends, when it takes on a lively, buzzy atmosphere, with people enjoying leisurely brunches, lunches and cocktails with friends after a long week at work.
Wander just a little further afield to Upper Street – which will take you just a couple of minutes – and you’ll find it brimming with everything from Italian trattorias, Brazilian restaurants and Japanese sushi spots to artisanal coffee shops and cosy pubs – so whatever you’re craving, you’ll likely find right on your doorstep.
To do
As well as its eclectic food and drink scene, Islington is well-known for its thriving art scene, and you’ll find an array of galleries and museums in the locale. The Estorick Collection, a small museum showcasing modern Italian art, and the contemporary Victoria Miro Gallery, are well worth a visit if you have the time to spare, and are just a taster of the many others in the vicinity.
There are also a number of theatres in Islington, including the Almeida Theatre, where you can take advantage of a packed schedule of world-class performances.
If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, then Islington certainly won’t disappoint. Upper Street is lined with independent boutiques, antique stores, and high-end shops, as well as several charming bookstores – so whether you’re keen to refresh your wardrobe for autumn social occasions or refill your bookshelves for cosy nights in as the evenings get shorter and darker, you’ll have no trouble finding what you’re looking for here.
City life can sometimes feel stifling, which is why there are so many great green spaces in London to offer somewhere to enjoy a moment of calm away from the hustle and bustle. And thankfully, there are a variety to choose from in Islington – including Highbury Fields and Barnard Park, both of which are ideal for a relaxed afternoon stroll or an energising morning jog. For a quieter and more peaceful walk, the famous Regent’s Canal is also only a short walk away, and offers a picturesque and serene setting for a leisurely wander.
If you’re eager to do the tourist route during your stay at the Citadines Islington then there are also a plethora of cultural attractions in easy reach. The British Museum, Covent Garden, and the West End are just a few tube stops away, and all of the city’s best-known landmarks – such as Buckingham Palace, London Bridge and Big Ben are easily accessible via London’s efficient Underground and bus networks, or by taxi.
In a nutshell
Combining the independence of an apartment with the convenience of hotel amenities, Citadines Islington is an ideal option for any length of stay in London – and its prime location is undoubtedly its biggest selling point. Its stylish design and practical facilities make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, modern retreat in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and a home-from-home feel it’s hard to find in this bustling city.
Factbox
Prices start at £159 per night.
Address: Islington Square, 3 Shelly Place, London N1 1WF
Phone: 020 3986 0900
Website: discoverers.com
