Lodge Drive Apartments

The location is the only good thing about this apartment. It may look nice in Google pictures, but I strongly wouldn’t recommend it. Basic supplies were scarce: for our family of three, there were only two towels, two pillows and one blanket for the queen bed. The place also wasn’t well maintained. There was a clogged sink and a flimsy shower screen that let water spill everywhere. We got no shower gel or shampoo, just two tiny soaps, one for hands and one for the body. There was no microwave, and although the listing said washer and dryer, there was only a washer. The TV didn’t work because it had no antenna for local programmes. One ceiling lamp had to light the whole living and dining area, so it got dim and dark at night.

The apartment we ended up opening was better than the one we’d booked, but getting in was a mess. The person managing the place sent us a video showing the key box and entered the right number for apartment 21. The same video went to us and another family, though, so our key wouldn’t open the door. Then the door opened from inside, and a frightened woman asked what we were doing. We apologized, watched the video again and realized it was a major mistake on their end. We knocked again, showed them the video, and everyone laughed. I called the person who was meant to be at reception, but got no answer. I messaged on WhatsApp for a solution and was told he couldn’t help because he was busy. We struggled through it ourselves. Not one apology or return call. Total incompetence!

There’s a Morrisons two minutes away, and Palmer's Green station is opposite, with trains every 30 minutes at the weekend. I assume they’re more frequent during the working week. The area felt okay to walk around, and we didn’t feel unsafe. Young people and boy racers seemed to gather behind the apartments, but it hardly bothered us. Parking also felt safe and secure. The location, parking and apartment size were good, and our family of five would stay again. It had seen better days, though. The curtains were separate pieces held on with Velcro and looked very scruffy. It felt relatively clean, but some things were falling apart, including the utensils, and the TV stand was propped up with polystyrene. A few hundred quid of investment could really freshen it up.

The owner was helpful and earnest, and got back to me quickly when I called, even on a Sunday. We stayed in two flats, both spacious and each with two toilets and showers, but their equipment varied a lot. The first had everything we needed. The second was missing some kitchen gear, and some things, like the blinds and chairs, were broken or missing. The owner said previous tenants were responsible. The area is a bit rough. There were overnight skirmishes downstairs, and people did handbrake turns in the public carpark below. It’s close to National Rail, though you need a bus to reach the tube. Broomfields is a huge park nearby. The Morrisons is a little seedy, but there’s a Sainsbury Local up the road and a larger one about a 15-minute walk away. There are excellent barbers along the main street.