Overview
First Impressions
Walking up to Modern and Bright Highgate Gem, you immediately get that this isn’t your typical London hotel experience. Tucked away in one of North London’s most charming villages, this four-star property feels more like staying in a friend’s incredibly well-appointed home than a standard accommodation. The name isn’t just marketing speak — the place genuinely lives up to both the “modern” and “bright” promises, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood every corner with natural light.
The Highgate Experience
Honestly, Highgate might be one of London’s best-kept secrets for travelers who want to escape the tourist crowds without sacrificing access to the city center. You’re a pleasant 20-minute tube ride from Central London, but you’ll find yourself wandering the cobblestone streets around Highgate Cemetery (yes, where Karl Marx is buried) or grabbing coffee at the quirky local cafés that dot the village. The area has this wonderful mix of literary history and modern village life that you just don’t get in zones 1 and 2.
Your Space
Each room here feels thoughtfully designed rather than cookie-cutter corporate. I mean, when was the last time you stayed somewhere that actually had decent lighting for reading? The furnishings strike that tricky balance between contemporary style and genuine comfort — you know, the kind of place where you’ll actually use the armchair instead of just dumping your clothes on it. The bathrooms are particularly well done, with rainfall showers that have proper water pressure (a small miracle in London, honestly).
Practical Perks
What really sets this place apart are the details that matter when you’re actually living somewhere for a few days. There’s reliable WiFi throughout (tested it myself during a few work calls), and the kitchen facilities are genuinely useful if you want to grab supplies from the nearby Waitrose. The staff seem to actually know the neighborhood — they’ll point you toward the best pub for Sunday roast or the footpath that leads to Hampstead Heath, rather than just handing you a generic tourist map.
Why Guests Love It
This isn’t the kind of place you choose for Instagram-worthy marble lobbies or Michelin-starred dining. Instead, it’s for travelers who appreciate being somewhere that feels authentically London while still having all the modern comforts you’d expect from a quality hotel. The 7.8 rating reflects exactly what you get — solid, reliable, and genuinely pleasant without any pretension. You’ll sleep well, start your days properly caffeinated, and have easy access to both the village charm of Highgate and the endless possibilities of central London.
Guest reviews
"Convenient location for 4 adults"
Proximity to Northern line tube station.
2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms
Light and airy
Large fridge/freezer
Proximity to shops on Archway and in Highgate
What could be improved: Having to give photo id before visit, for all members of the party.
Chipped mugs.
Only 4 mugs (plenty of plates cutlery etc)
Bathroom fan didn’t seem to be working.
Glass coffee table
Not enough comfy seating for 4 adults
Stairs were fine for us, but quite steep and would have been a problem for someone less mobile. Don’t think there was a warning about this before booking.
1 July 2024
"Great trip down memory lane."
The location Akim Courall-Jones and his team were prompt in replying to queries both before and during our stay. The location was perfect for us.
7 April 2024
"Exceptional"
The 2 bedroom flat is spacious, very well maintained just as if it were a brand new house, and very well lit with daylight. It is located very close to the Highgate (tube) station and conveniently close to grocery shops. The facilities provided in the flat are just like those you would want in a home. This place is managed by City Relay (property management company) and they were very quick to respond and resolve any issues. The pictures shown are just as it looks in real.
5 July 2023
"Good location but quality of facilities could be better"
Proximity to Highgate
What could be improved: Shower and Toilet stopped working. Builiding was going on in front of the property making access difficult.
14 September 2024
"The location is as good as it can be, but the value for money just isn't there."
The location can't be any better. Four minute walk to the tube station, twelve minute walk into Highgate village, twenty minute walk into Muswell Hill. It's situated on a fairly steep hill, so there could be challenges for people not fully mobile, but that's beyond anyone's control.
The rooms are big and comfortable, if a bit antiseptic.
The kitchen is well-equipped.
What could be improved: There's a faulty light switch in the lounge that prevents the ceiling lights from working properly. There was only a floor lamp to compensate but it wasn't bright enough. I reported it to City Relay more than once but there was no interest in having it repaired.
There's a leaky radiator in the main bathroom. A repairman came to fix it but it started leaking again the next day. I reported it again but was told to put a container under it. No follow up from City Relay.
I booked a cleaning (a very expensive one - 144 pounds) for 10:00 one morning. At 10:15 when nobody had arrived, I asked for an update from City Relay. They told me the cleaning was now scheduled for 13:00. They acknowledged that I'd booked it for 10:00 and that it had been accepted and confirmed, but that "Housekeeping prioritizes check ins before midlet cleanings" and it couldn't be changed back to 10:00 now. As I asked them, what's the point of booking a time if it's going to get changed without even telling me? I had to change my plans for the day as a result, which I was very unhappy about. It wasn't only the time being changed on me that bothered me, there was no communication about it AT ALL. I had to contact them to find out what was going on.
Except for a bottle of washing-up liquid and a sponge in the kitchen, there were zero cleaning supplies provided, not even anything to wipe down a bathroom sink. I imagine it's to force you to buy an expensive cleaning.
I had a four-week stay and was provided with two dishwasher tablets and and two laundry tablets, one teabag, and three coffee pods on my arrival. I was expecting a bit more in the way of day-to-day supplies. In almost every other similar place I've stayed in North America, there's always a good supply of such products. Especially with the price I was paying, I was expecting more. I did contact City Relay about it and they brought me two more each of the tablets, probably grudgingly.
5 May 2023
"Pleasant"
The location is great. The first staff member who brought us the key was very helpful.
What could be improved: The heating turned itself off automatically. I tried explaining the situation to the staff but because it is a company, they weren't prompt in solving the problem. They only left two shower gels and shampoos total for 4 people, 5 days. The house was not super clean when we arrived. They also ask for money for early check-in and late check-outs. I would not recommend this place for a large group.
25 November 2023
"Exceptional"
Location in Highgate.
What could be improved: Not clean upon arrival.
1 December 2024
"Jól felszerelt és jó elhelyezkedés."
Közel volt a metro.
What could be improved: A kulcsátadás messze volt a szállástól.
24 September 2024
"Insgesamt ein schöner Aufenthalt."
Die Wohnung ist sehr schön eingerichtet! Tolle Aufteilung der Zimmer, alles sehr hell und geräumig. Die Küche und das Bad waren gut ausgestattet, die Handtücher waren toll. Gute Anbindung zur Underground.
What could be improved: Bei unserer Ankunft war die Wohnung noch nicht gereinigt, dies wurde zwar umgehend nachgeholt, allerdings war es auch danach nicht 100% sauber.
18 November 2023
"Exceptional"
Es war alles Tip Top. Auch die Kommunikation mit den Mitarbeitern und Agenten von City Relay war leicht, sehr angenehm und sehr gut.
14 March 2023
