I stayed here around 9 days on a business trip to London. First, temper your expectations. Visit their website and keep in mind that the pictures of the place were probably taken when the facility was just finished. The place is getting a bit old in the tooth as they say with the carpets worn down and could use a touch of paint to spruce things up. I chose the place as I only needed a decent place to sleep in and it was in a great location. I did not need any of the hotel amenities. Booked my stay with booking.com and the rates I got were exactly what the front desk charged me for.

Positives: Excellent location. All my meetings were just a 10-15min walk away. Room: always clean, free wi-fi and the internet speed was very decent, has a kitchen (if you are on a budget, you just buy something from M&S or Tesco and cook something up), washing machine, ironing stuff if you want to scrimp on laundry service. Helpful front office, printed out directions for us and gave us tips of the surrounding area.

Cons: Lift was quite small and pretty slow. It can only carry 3-4 people without luggage and goes down to two if you have a couple of large suitcases. Better take the stairs. Noisy if you're staying on the lower floors good thing my room was on the 4th floor. Slept perfectly.

London is quite expensive and this service apartment presents great value for money for a place to stay in. I would say better than the travelodge nearby even if it was newer than 196 Bishopsgate. If you are on a budget and does not need the usual hotel amenities, this would be a very good place to stay at.

Would definitely stay here again.

I found 196 Bishopgate on Expedia, checked the reviews and booked an Executive Studio Apartment for £158. On arrival I was upgraded to a single-bedroom apartment. This consisted of a lobby, bathroom, bedroom, living room and fully equipped kitchen. There was a washing machine concealed in a cupboard in the bathroom. I only needed a bed for the night after a meeting in London, followed by a meeting in Essex the next day. 196 Bishopgate was within walking distance of my London meeting and directly over the road from Liverpool Street station where I needed to catch the train to Essex. I did not use the kitchen facilities in the apartment other than the kettle, but this would have been a great place for an extended stay.

I didn't have any problems, but agree with another reviewer that sound carries from above. The view from the windows wasn't great, but I wouldn't have expected anything else in this location.

I would definitely stay here again.

If you remember you haven't paid amything like the price for staying in one of the "upmarket" chains and that you're right in the City this place represents great value for money. Bed was on the small side and cupboards a bit flimsy but all in all one of the best options I have used. I spend 2 nights a week in London and this is in the top value bracket.

The website does presents smart modern appartments that look clean and inviting so I suspect the photo's are still from when it was new. The place is very tired and the rooms have not been kept clean with several bulbs gone, no heated rail in the bathroom and generally looking very uncared for. We were originally booked in a 2 bed on first floor where the windows are directly over the Pret a Manager smoking/rest area so we had disturbed sleep whilst the staff there shouted at each other a few feet away from the window. We got moved for the second night to the 5th floor which was quite but the room was just as tired as the first.

Reception when we booked in was hopeless and the desk looks a tip while they are doing 4 jobs at once and yes, they had very poor english. The girl on reception in the morning was more helpful and moved us but it did take rather too much debate and she seemed to have to negotiate with housekeeping?

So a premium price for a fairly poor stay. Whoever owns this should take a close look at their investment as a bit of attention to detail could easily make the prices justified but avoid for now.