Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great stay in London near everything with all you would want in a flat

Guest: TravelOrBust (Near Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/11/12 Review Submitted: 04/26/12

Our family of 4 (2 children ages 4 and 6) loved staying at this flat in London. It was so well situated and the layout worked well for us. The internet worked well for us so the new router is great. The kitchen is well functioning (love having laundry and actually we used the dishwasher often as we ate in the apartment several times) the kettle was also well used and loved. It was very quiet so we all slept well. In terms of sleeping, the second bed is a great single with space for luggage etc or good for 2 people however not additional space for luggage in the room. It suited us perfectly. St. James is a 20 minute walk from the flat so the location could not be better. We ate at the 2 restaurants on the property and there were fine -- easy with the kids. Penelope was very helpful and quickly responded to all emails. The flat was very clean and the shower was awesome!

Owner response:The new router is working well and so high speed internet access is resumed! The second bedroom doubles as a study and has a good size desk; it also has a day bed with pullout trundle. However, there is a large tall cupboard with plenty of space for unpacking everything. SO it's good for someone who wants to work; or good for one or two to sleep and ideal for family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Apartment!!!!

Guest: Traveler from Argentina (Argentina)
Date of Stay: 02/19/12 Review Submitted: 03/31/12

The St. Georges Wharf Apartment is exactly what you see on the photos from the website. A wonderful apartment!!! The communication with the owner was excellent. Kim provides you with all the needed information before traveling to London. Everything was very clear and as she said. The underground station is right outside the door and the Tesco Express (supermarket) is right at the corner. The only detail to be improved is the internet connection. The Internet Service is intermittent, you cannot rely on it. Nevertheless, this apartment is strongly recommended!!!

Owner response: The internet problem has turned out to be the old router and a new one is now installed. We know that internet access is important for our guests and want to ensure even that is not a problem. Glad you had a great stay!

Recommended for:

Great Apartment, Great Location!!!

Guest: tjandlr (Vista, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/14/12

We arrived at St. Georges Wharf knowing exactly what to look for based on the photos from the website. It was easy to find, with a little GPS help and getting thru the streets of London. The apartment was very clean and fresh looking and after a days travel, felt like home. The location was excellent with an underground station basically right outside the door, and a great meal with freindly service was had at The Riverside restaurant that was also very close. It was very convenient to have the Tesco Express right at the corner to get snacks and food to cook ourselves. And as much as I hate to say this, I had to use the medical clinic right near by for my son who had a nasty cough. They were very helpful and I was able to have him seen by a very nice doctor. I would definitely go back to this location and would recommend it to anyone. Penelope and Kim were great to work with and were very helpful with any questions we had. Thanks for making our trip to London feel a little like home!

Owner response:Everything you need is on site - from restaurants and takeouts to groceries and fitness centre; and all methods of transport to the rest of London and the UK. But also, importantly, a doctor, pharmacy and dentist are all on site in case of emergencies.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

great stay with smooth instructions

Guest: Christopher (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/12

From beginning to ending, the communication was excellent. Kim provides you with all the information before your travel, including how much and how far is the site from the airport. You have so much planning and things to do when you are travelling, and so all the little details was very helpful. The unit was clean, and comfy. A great place to wind down after a long day of activities. Strongly recommended.

Recommended for:Families with young children, tourists without a car.

nice comfy place

Guest: Christopher (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/12

From beginning to ending, the communication was excellent. Kim provides you with all the information you need before your travel, including how much and how far is the site from the airport. All little details count when you are travelling with so many things on your mind. So it was very helpful. The unit is clean and comfy. Strongly recommended.

Owner response:We aim to make your visit as easy as possible - even if we don't know the answer to your question, we will try to find someone or somewhere that does! Whilst we are not travel agents, we will try to give you all the information you will need to enjoy London and there are lots of up-to-date travel books and guides, brochures and maps in the apartment for your use.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Great Trip

Guest: Robert P. (-)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

We very much enjoyed our December, 2011, stay in London. The flat is extremely convenient to transportation. We could go anywhere in London in a very short time. This is great for introducing two ten year old grandaughters to London. The local shops, particularly grocery and pharmacy, add to the convenience and good location. The flat was as advertised. The second bedroom is small for two. Overall, the choice of this flat was very good. Thanks for the nice stay. Bob and Aleta, Montana USA

Owner response:Modern appliances - state of the art - and they are all different! But the instruction manuals for all the appliances are in the kitchen and for the washer/dryer are also taped inside the door for ease.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

London fun!

Guest: Scotiabanker (Swift current, Saskatchewan, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/02/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

Awesome! Thats all I can say about the location and the apartment. Everything from check in too check out was so smooth. We travelled with our two teenage daughters. For those traveling with a family, I would strongly recommend this apartment. It is far roomier than a hotel room. Being right beside the vauxhall station given you access to the underground, bus, and train was pretty cool. Overall an exceptional experience.

Owner response:Glad you had a great time! There is now a River Boat Taxi which calls at the Wharf on site, so you can travel around by water taxi; and bike rentals are also available at the complex, so travel options are even better now!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect!

Guest: Angela (Pottstown, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/25/11

The apartment could not have been more perfect!! Penelope & Kim made everything so easy! The tube was just outside the complex making travel in London a breeze!! I will definitely be going back next year!

Owner response:As well as the Tube, there is now a Pier at St George and the River Taxis are running! Bike rental is also at the complex. So now you can travel easily all over London by Tube, train, bus, boat or bike, all direct from the complex!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful location very clean

Guest: Sherri J.
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/06/11

We spent 4 nights at the apartment and were very comfortable with our 2 1/2 year old son. The location was perfect, walking distance to many sights, and right above the tube stop if not interested in walking. Check-in and out was simple and the instructions on how to get around were very helpful. If we travel back to London we will definitely stay here again and I have already told many of my friends here in Frankfurt Germany if they are traveling to London, this is the place to stay.

Owner response:And as well as the Tube, the overground trains and the buses are right there; and even the London rental bikes scheme now have a stand at the complex, so getting around London from the apartment or a train out to the south/southwest, is incredibly easy! THere is talk of a river taxi pier at the complex too for the near future. So it is well situated for all our guests.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

PERFECT location ,Felt like Home!

Guest: Judy (Calgary, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

My husband and teenage daughter and I stayed for 9 nights in this lovely condo unit when we visited London this summer. The place was clean, beds comfortable , but most importantly this was a great location to access all of the sites of the city. We walked to parliament Hill, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben along the lovely river path right below the condo building.We used the tube MANY times starting at Vauxhall station which is also conveniently positioned at the base of this condo. Great access to all lines through Victoria station, just a couple of minutes ride away! Great Tesco convenience store at the base and enjoyed the two on site restaurants. Would recommend this condo to anyone, it really was a terrific 'home base' for our time in London!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Photos do NOT lie!

Guest: Marilyn (Scottsdale, Arizona USA)
Date of Stay: 03/30/11 Review Submitted: 04/23/11

What a relief---heaven in London! The photos and description were exactly as set out in the commentary. Very new, modern river front condo with large 4th floor unit overlooking the Thames. Interior was black leather, light wood, and georgeous "fitted" kitchen. Bedrooms comfortable but only one bathroom so a couple with 2 teenagers would be max...2nd bedroom is single with trundle bed. I was worried about the location south of the river but it was perfect: small market, underground station and bus station all on ground floor made logistics easy. Several nice restaurants on site also, seems to be a hangout for the upscale singles. Best decision I have made as to staying in London...I've tried good hotels and charming B n B's, but this felt like home. (It took us all week to figure out the very new appliances and it was last day before I could master the oven---but I didn't go to London to cook?)

Owner response:Modern appliances - state of the art - and they are all different! But the instruction manuals for all the appliances are in the kitchen and for the washer/dryer are also taped inside the door for ease.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good location, clean and modern

Guest: From Delta (Delta, BC Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/24/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

Our stay at this apartment was enjoyable. Check in was easy at the Concierge and we easily found our way to the apartment, which we found clean and tidy. Vauxhall station is close by (and a Starbucks) and we used the Tesco Express for groceries which came in very handy for eating in sometimes. One afternoon we ended up at the London Eye then had a lovely evening strole along the Thames to the apartment. The apartment felt pretty spacious and comfortable with a nice big bathroom. Beds/matresses were OK. Having the washer/dryer combo machine was nice to have, although it cannot do big loads it's better than nothing. Internet worked good after the very helpful owner had us reset the router. There was some noise in the early mornings, when it sounded like some metal carts being pushed around on the bumpy stone walkways outside, maybe being used by one of the restaurants but luckily it was short lived. If I was a resident, and this was a regular occurance, I would surely make a formal complaint. The balcony was nice to have with a view of the Thames. A big thank you to the owners and we can recommend this to all.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Comfortable and convenient

Guest: Toni and Tom (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 12/20/10 Review Submitted: 12/30/10

We just returned home after staying one week in this apartment, and I would definitely recommend it. Overall, it worked well for my husband, 15-year-old son, and me.We found the bed in the master bedroom to be very comfortable. The apartment itself was very quiet. It was fresh, modern, had a pretty view of the Thames, as well as conveniently located to everything we wanted to do. We walked to Westminster Abbey, the Tate Britain, and the South Bank from the apartment. We walked home at night and felt quite safe in the neighborhood. It's also convenient to the tube and grocery shopping. We found the owner Penelope to be conscientious and responsive; she answered all of our e-mails nearly immediately. It was a positive experience overall.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Location & Wonderful Accommodations

Guest: Melissa (Sheboygan, WI USA)
Date of Stay: 11/17/10 Review Submitted: 12/02/10

My husband and I stayed here for a week and absolutely loved the location and accommodations. The flat was comfortable, clean and quite spacious. Loved the location as it was walking distance to Tesco Express along with some wonderful restaurants. Very close to the tube and the bus stop, a definite plus. A very special thank you for allowing us the opportunity to stay there, you helped to make my 40th birthday incredible. Owners were prompt and extremely helpful. We highly recommend this property and hope to visit again soon. Thank you, Melissa and Joseph

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Excellent choice

Guest: Stephylynn (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

We had a wonderful stay at St. George Wharf. The location is ideal, access to public transportation couldn't be more convenient. The apartment very well kept. We found everything was just as it is shown in the pictures. Also, the owners are very accommodating. Our trip was a last minute decision and they were able to turn the apartment around for us rather quickly. Both check-in and check-out were easy and effortless.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

St George Warf review

Guest: Kathy Herrington (Kamloops, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

Dear Penelope We had a wonderful time in your lovely flat. I wouldnt change anything for your future guests. The flat was clean and confortable and would love to stay there another time and/or recommend it to friends and family. We loved the close access to all sights. We are walkers ( some others may not have the stamina we do) and walked all over the city from London Tower to the Zoo and all points inbetween. We loved to be close to Leiscester Square with all the plays and took advantage of them and all the restaurants so available there also. We thank you again for your hospitality and wish you all the best. Cheers, Kathy

Owner response:The location of the complex is wonderful for getting around to see everything in London and is a great advantage. And with so much available on site for times when you are wanting not to be out and about, it makes a really good base for a London vacation!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

great start to the holiday

Guest: Campbell Clan (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/06/10 Review Submitted: 10/16/10

My family (2 adults/2kids - early teens) stayed here as the first point in our holiday and loved it. The location was fantastic and being a modern apartment, the sound-proofing from other apartments was also excpetional. The views didn't hurt either. Having the metro stop and tescos so close was also great - although what hasn't been mentioned before (i don't think) is that it is also very close to a major bus stop - buses are cheaper than the trains - and important point when paying for 4! My one criticism was the second bedroom, which was very small, especially after the bed was set-up, but the girls didn't seem to mind, I'm not sure if they were older or if it was two couples that this would suit. Having said that, for a young family or couple, it is a beautiful apartment and a great central spot to get to and from all the major tourist sites. Thankyou.

Owner response:Thank you - we are glad you enjoyed it; and thank you for your review. The second bedroom is certainly smaller, but is adequately sized, especially as most people are in London to go out and about, not to sit in the bedroom! There's plenty of cupboard space too which also helps.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great London Getaway

Guest: laxprs (Sterling, Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 09/27/10

The apartment was exactly what we were looking for and the close proximity to the tube and grocery was excellent. The apartment was perfectly situated right next to 2 restaurants that served very reasonable delicious fare. We did purchase a weekly farecard on the tube so we were able to come and go as we pleased. It is very well located in a lovely building that overlooks the Thames. I would remind future renters of one thing....you are expected to provide your own toilet paper. So be sure to stop at the Tesco on the street first before you head upstairs. We will definitely be going back to vacation there again. We loved it.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Apartment! Everything we needed!

Guest: Ruth (Potomac Falls, VA, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

What a great vacation! We stayed in the apartment with three of us and found it had more than enough space to be comfortable and we felt right at home. The beds were comfy, the bathroom was spa like and the kitchen had every convenience we could have asked for. It really did feel like a home away from home. We loved being in the heart of the city and found that it was very easy to get anywhere with the Tube station and the bus station right across the road. We also loved the Tesco's grocery store which was small but had everything we needed and was so convenient. I noticed someone complained about the lack of a/c but we found the fan to be pretty powerful and there really isn't a/c in England unless you stay at a hotel which we didn't want to do. We were able to make phone calls home to the US as well which was a great help. The owners were friendly, helpful and thorough and we found that they answered any questions we had promptly, both before we arrived and during our stay. We will be back! We still have so much to see in London and we really enjoyed our stay in St George's Wharf!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Apartment - Everything We Needed!

Guest: Ruth (Potomac Falls, VA, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

What a great vacation! We stayed in the apartment with three of us and found it had more than enough space to be comfortable and we felt right at home. The beds were comfy, the bathroom was spa like and the kitchen had every convenience we could have asked for. It really did feel like a home away from home. We loved being in the heart of the city and found that it was very easy to get anywhere with the Tube station and the bus station right across the road. We also loved the Tesco's grocery store which was small but had everything we needed and was so convenient. I noticed someone complained about the lack of a/c but we found the fan to be pretty powerful and there really isn't a/c in England unless you stay at a hotel which we didn't want to do. We were able to make phone calls home to the US as well which was a great help. The owners were friendly, helpful and thorough and we found that they answered any questions we had promptly, both before we arrived and during our stay. We will be back! We still have so much to see in London and we really enjoyed our stay in St George's Wharf!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our 2-Week Stay in June/July 2010

Guest: Carol (California, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/28/10 Review Submitted: 07/18/10

My husband, son and I spent 2 weeks in this flat and enjoyed its central location. We had never been to London before and found the tube station very handy; it is right outside the building. It was nice to wake up and see the river right outside the bedroom window. It was also nice to watch the sunset over the river while sitting on the balcony. The on-site Tesco Express store was stocked with a lot of fresh vegetables, which surprised us. The two on-site restaurants were good. As advertised, the flat is walking distance to the Eye, Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. We were very happy with our stay here and would recommend it to anyone.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place!

Guest: Beatte (Falls Church VA)
Date of Stay: 06/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

We enjoyed our stay at this condo in London very much. The location was excellent and it could not have been anymore convenient having an underground station in front of the building. Even the local restaurants in the complex were good. Loved the local Tesco grocery store on site as well. Overall I commend it, the property was described properly and managed very well. We would certainly use it again when we go back to London.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A very nice place to stay

Guest: Pierre et Stéphanie (Paris)
Date of Stay: 06/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

The flat was really great and we did have a very nice time with our children of 8 and 9 years old. We discovered London during those sunny days with knowing we had a nice place to rest in the evening! Everything was fine and we were happy to stay at Vauxhall. It was really convenient with the undergrood very close and the bus! We appreciated the clearness, the view and the fact it was very clean and fresh! We had a very nice treap thanks to your appartment! When arriving here in France we spoke more about your place then London! Thank you very much once again! Kind regards Stéphanie & Pierre (Paris)

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Didn't Live Up to Expectations

Guest: Karen (Great Falls, Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

We have two rental homes ourselves, and we are used to vacationing in rental homes and apartments. Though this unit has many fine qualities, it did not live up to our expectations. The good points: comfortable bed (MBR), lovely bathroom, excellent towels, granite counters, attractive decor, spotless kitchen, large balcony. The disappointments included: We were supposed to have free long distance but did not. Construction (incredibly filthy and noisy) along the balcony (and all windows) all day except Sunday. Loud party in neighboring unit from 2-4 a.m. awoke us and kept us up the last night. No A/C—noticeably warm and uncomfortable the last two nights. Deep, slippery bathtub with mildew in it. View of Thames almost totally blocked by a several story “marketing center.” (This apartment is on the third floor of a high rise building.) The second bedroom is only seven feet wide; I cannot imagine how it could accommodate more than two small children--though we didn't need it for a bedroom. The “concierge” is a joke of sorts, as all they do is to give out and take back the apartment keys. I would also describe some of the photos as deceptive. We complained (but also took note of the positive features) after we left because the owners could not have moved us to another unit. (The most annoying things--the filthy, loud construction and blocked Thames view--were “incurable.”) We received a response indicating they “could have brought over a fan” if we called them while there and they were "sad" we didn't, throwing the problems back in our lap--as if we were inexperienced travelers. Quite honestly, if they had apologized (and perhaps offered a small refund or gift for our inconvenience), I would have chalked this up to experience.

Owner response:WE were sad that these experienced travellers did not contact us whilst they were in the flat, as we could have helped on a number of these issues. The international phone calls ARE available - we checked afterwards and made a call, so could have ensured that they were able to do so too! There is a large fan already in the apartment for warmer times and another one was available - A/C is unusual in English homes; the mildew could have been removed and now has been; and the bathtub DOES have an anti-slip base to it! The construction work is to make a beautiful landscaped garden in front of the building - which will be lovely, but we and other homeowners were not aware when it would be done, and of course it is outside of our control - as is the neighbouring party. Apartments in the center of big cities are prone to noise...... St George Wharf is mostly relatively peaceful considering where it is situated! And the second bedroom is perfectly adequate for two adults - we have stayed in the apartment with another married couple and it was fine; frankly most visitors are there to be out sightseeing not sitting in the bedroom! And we do not advertise a concierge service, it is simply where one collects the keys; as this is not a hotel or a resort, there are no services and we never say that there will be. We also have two rental homes - and this is the very first negative online response we have had over several years. We are not sure why they did not contact us whilst they were staying there so that we could sort things out; to wait until now and simply post this is a great pity. For instance, a door handle was broken and the guests informed us and we went straight down to have it mended. If we are not told of problems as they arise then we are unable to correct them! See other reviews!!!

Recommended for:

Wonderful apartment - absolutely perfect

Guest: Marmaladet (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

My sister and I stayed at this apartment in September 2009 for 6 nights. Everything was perfect; comfortable beds, great shower with lovely strong water pressure, plenty of huge towels, everything you could expect in the kitchen. It's in a great location, so close to Vauxhall station, which made getting around London so easy. Having Tesco and a chemist in the complex was also a boon. The Tesco isn't huge, but had everything one would need. There's a Sainsburys further away, but we never felt the need to go that far. We had dinner one night at the Aqua brasserie and the food was excellent. I had many emails to and from the owners before our stay and they couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. I'd certainly recommend this apartment, without hesitation. Susan H, Sydney, Australia.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.