The Highbury Studio

The Highbury Studio: London

This soulful studio is calm, charming and cosily romantic. It's set in a Victorian building and you can see some of that period character in the high ceilings, exposed brick and oak flooring. Parrot cushions and colourful throws give it a quirky personality, while the furniture is simple yet stylish. You'll love how friendly and knowledgeable host Gabrielle is, plus the way natural light pours in through large windows. We like how the bed is tucked away from the living area, so there's a nice sense of separation between where you relax and where you sleep. The snug size does mean there's no washing machine or dishwasher, but neither's an issue if you're not staying too long, and as Islington is known for its buzzing restaurant and gastropub scene, we doubt you'd be getting up to much cooking. Bustling Upper Street is about a ten-minute stroll – home to an array of cosy cafes, independent shops and delicious eateries – and public transport links here are top-notch, with three different stations less than ten minutes away.

Home truths:
*This is a studio with no door separating the living area from the sleeping area, but the bed is tucked away in the back of the flat
*This apartment is small, so it’s not for those wanting plenty of space – that said, the excellent location more than makes up for the size
*There's no washing machine and no dishwasher in this apartment, but there is an induction hob and a small toaster oven if you’d like to rustle up breakfast or lunch
*This home is in a well-loved period property so there are some general signs of wear and tear
*The wifi will request you to login each time you leave and re-enter the home which can be tedious
*The bedroom area is snug – the bed is pushed up against the wall and the wardrobe doors bump into it when open