Overview
First Impressions
I’ll be honest — when I first saw Modern One Bedroom Flat with Private Back Garden listed as a unique boutique hotel without official star rating, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The address on Oliver Grove in Norwood seemed tucked away from the typical tourist spots, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Walking up to the ground floor flat, it felt more like I was visiting a friend than checking into a hotel, which turned out to be part of its charm.
The Space
The room setup is actually pretty clever — it’s a proper one-bedroom flat that feels lived-in but spotless. The modern touches throughout don’t try too hard, you know? There’s a functional kitchen with everything you’d need if you want to grab groceries from the local shops rather than eating out every meal. I mean, the coffee situation alone makes mornings so much easier when you’re not hunting for a decent café first thing.
That Back Garden
Here’s the thing that really sets this place apart — that private back garden is genuinely special. Most London accommodations barely give you a window that opens properly, let alone outdoor space you can actually use. I spent more time out there than I expected, just having my morning coffee and planning the day. It’s not huge, but it’s yours, and in a city where every square foot of outdoor space costs a fortune, that feels pretty remarkable.
The Norwood Experience
Norwood itself surprised me — it’s got this residential feel that’s refreshing after staying in busy central areas before. You’re not tripping over tourists every five minutes, but you’re not stranded either. The local pubs actually have locals in them, and there’s a Sainsbury’s within walking distance that saved me multiple times. Transport links to central London are perfectly reasonable, though you’ll want to check the train schedules if you’re planning late nights in the West End.
Why Guests Love It
Look, this isn’t trying to be a fancy hotel with a concierge and room service — it’s something different entirely. The 8.4 rating makes sense when you realize what you’re getting: space to breathe, a proper kitchen if you want it, and that garden for when London’s crowds get overwhelming. It works especially well if you’re staying more than just a couple nights, or if you’re traveling with someone and want to feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. The price point reflects what it is — honest accommodation that gives you more space and privacy than most hotels at this level would even attempt.
Guest reviews
"Superb"
I love how spacious the accommodation is, the apartment is just perfect for the stay.
The host is always ready to help and support you to enjoy your stay.
What could be improved: Had a little bit of struggle with internet but the host came to the rescue.
21 September 2025
"I had a wonderful stay"
I had a wonderful stay at this beautifully renovated apartment in Norwood, London. The space was bright and airy, with plenty of natural light throughout the day, which made it feel incredibly welcoming. Everything inside was fresh and modern, and all the necessary amenities were thoughtfully provided, making it a very comfortable and convenient stay.
One of the biggest highlights was the location — just a short walk to the station and surrounded by shops, which made getting around and picking up essentials super easy. Whether you're visiting for work or leisure, this apartment is a fantastic choice. I’d definitely stay here again!
What could be improved: There was no parking with apartment but I already knew it in advance so I planned my stay accordingly.
28 July 2025
"Perfect for family holiday in London"
The location was superb, nearby shops and a short walk to the station and bus stops. Appreciated the little hamper on arrival. The flat was very clean and well looked after, seems to be newly renovated. Host was responsive to texts
What could be improved: Very patchy wifi - we had to move the router to the window to get a better signal so maybe it was due to the nature of the building/location. Lack of parking
5 May 2025
"Excellent value, spacious and well-equipped"
The apartment is much bigger than others at a similar rate. It is comfortable and well-equipped and has an outdoor space with a table and chairs. The hosts provide a fruit basket and a bottle of Prosecco, which is a thoughtful touch. Norwood Junction is quite away out but it has decent shops and frequent fast trains to London Bridge. Highly recommended.
What could be improved: The washing machine, large screen TV and Prosecco are great but the wifi is a let down. It's a Vodafone mini hub rather than broadband and although that's adequate for casual use I had a lot of Teams calls and it let me down more than once.
1 May 2025
"Comfortable stay in spacious apartment."
A quiet oasis within a busy street. Spacious apartment, lovely decor, clean and everything we needed and more for a comfortable stay. A huge welcome basket awaited us which was a lovely touch.
What could be improved: Nothing really
19 February 2025
"Exceptional"
The apartment was great. Nice cocktail bar beside it, pubs and shops at your front door. Looking forward to going back again.
7 July 2025
"Want to live her permanently 🤣🤣"
The property was stunning. So clean. The people who own the apartment are lovely !! There was a bottle of Prosecco and a hamper waiting for us when we arrived. Bathroom is BEAUTIFUL. Bed is the comfiest I’ve ever slept in . Oh I really loved this place - I would rent & live here if I could !
What could be improved: Was a little confusing to find ! But the person was very helpful !!!
17 March 2025
"Exceptional"
Big clean apartment, everything was great
What could be improved: Nothing
5 March 2025
"Great flat but with some problems. Hosts very difficult to get hold of."
The location is great and the flat has a very cheap and cheerful feeling. The garden is great. There was a hamper on our arrival, which was lovely.
What could be improved: The address provided via Booking.com was incorrect and it was difficult to find the door and the key. The number for the host provided by Booking.com was not correct and we had difficulty getting hold of them.
While we were staying at the property there was a burst pipe, which we dealt with and understand these things happen. It happened late on a Friday night We called Booking.com and were told that the property owner had not paid for out-of-hours maintenance support and all they could do was email. It took 2 days and me chasing the property owner for them to respond and send a plumber. In the meantime I had to clean up the water and couldn't use the kitchen sink (washing dishes in a bucket).
We had a lovely stay, but were disappointed when the host didn't offer any compensation for the inconvenience of the burst pipe and us not being able to use the kitchen for 2 days. I wouldn't recommend this property, nor would I stay there again. Which is a shame, because the flat itself is lovely.
27 June 2025
"Very good"
Lugar limpio y cómodo.
What could be improved: Las instrucciones de entrada no fueron claras y nunca se enviaron a través de la aplicación, todo fue vía teléfonica.
8 September 2025