London in the Sky

First Impressions

Walking up to London in the Sky on Cazenove Road, you’d honestly never guess what awaits inside. The building sits quietly on a residential street in Hackney — no flashy signage or marble entrance, just this understated facade that makes you wonder if you’ve got the right address. But that’s exactly the point, and once you step through those doors, you’ll understand why this four-star gem has earned such an incredible 9.8 rating.

The Hackney Advantage

Here’s what I love about staying in this part of London — you’re actually living like a local rather than trapped in the tourist bubble. Hackney has this incredible energy that’s hard to find in central London, with Broadway Market just a short walk away for Saturday browsing and some of the city’s best coffee spots practically on your doorstep. The George Downing Estate location means you’re tucked into a proper residential area, so mornings feel peaceful rather than chaotic, but you can still hop on the Overground and be in Shoreditch or central London in about twenty minutes.

The Space Itself

What strikes you immediately about this place is how they’ve managed to create something that feels more like staying in a friend’s incredibly stylish apartment than a traditional hotel room. The design is thoughtful without being precious — you know what I mean, where every detail serves a purpose but doesn’t shout about it. The beds are genuinely comfortable (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms have that perfect balance of modern fixtures and actual functionality that so many places get wrong.

Local Flavors

You won’t find a traditional hotel restaurant here, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. Instead, you’re encouraged to explore the neighborhood’s incredible food scene — from the Turkish bakeries on nearby streets to the weekend farmers’ market that locals actually use for their weekly shopping. The staff genuinely knows the area and their recommendations tend to be spot-on, steering you toward places that haven’t made it into guidebooks yet but probably should have.

Why Guests Love It

There’s something refreshing about a place that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. London in the Sky succeeds because it understands that travelers — especially return visitors to London — want authenticity over amenities. The parking situation is straightforward if you’re driving (which, let’s be honest, most people aren’t in London), and the transport links mean you can easily reach anywhere you need to go. But more than that, staying here gives you a genuine sense of what it’s like to live in one of London’s most vibrant neighborhoods, rather than just visiting it.

Locals suggest to book apartments in London around South Bank for riverside dining, market stops, and easy city crossings.