Think Apartments Tower Bridge are about a 15 minute walk from London Bridge tube.
Finding somewhere to stay in London that’s clean, doesn’t bankrupt you and allows some room to swing that proverbial is hard. Am I asking too much to want free Wi-Fi too and a place where I can work? Well if I can put up with some train noise and do without air con, apparently not.
Situated in the old Sarston Vinegar factory, The Maltings are Grade Two listed so there has been some restriction as to what the company can do with the site. What they have done is quite impressive; original brickwork and metalwork marrying neatly with the modern additions. It’s not chi chi though; don’t let the rather bare entrance area put you off.
With a convenience store opposite, an M and S food store a short walk away and the RV1 bus going from practically outside to Covent Garden, the location doesn’t feel that inconvenient. Within walking distance is Tower Bridge with its jewels, Shad Thames (the redeveloped bit downstream from Tower Bridge), the London Dungeon and several funky restaurants, without the west end price tag. The Bermondsey–born cab driver said it’s up and coming and his not being an estate agent, I believed him. He sounded proud of his patch. It’s not Kensington, but it’s not bad.
An apartment with two double bedrooms will cost you around £165 per night, less if you book ahead. There is a fully fitted kitchen with washer/dryer, fridge/freezer and dishwasher, but strangely no microwave oven. The lounge/diner is spacious and each bedroom has its own power shower combo, one en-suite with bath. Wooden floors throughout meant I felt obliged to take off my boots as soon as I entered, but they are infinitely preferable to grubby carpet. The apartment was very modern and clean, to the point of almost feeling stark; but on the chilly two days I was there, was deliciously warm inside. Reception staff are friendly and they will look after your luggage both before and after checkout.
Quite difficult to find, keep walking along Tower Bridge Road until you hit Tanner Street, then turn right and look for a black iron gate on your right.
About 500 apartments of different sizes are spread over this estate; mine was gated; a security code is needed to access it, so I felt safe as well.
Tanner Street 55, London, UK
Contact tel: +44 (0) 20 7407 2778, e-mail: info@think-apartments.com
Cost per person per week: £200 – £500, per person per week: £500 – £1000
Services internet access
Useful links
Think apartments