Marlin Apartments Stratford

The bed was very comfortable and the apartment was really clean. I stayed for my birthday weekend, but the one-bedroom place is a bit smaller than advertised. The bedroom has no door, so if someone sleeps on the sofa bed you'll hear them. For a peaceful night, ask for an apartment away from the train tracks, they're very noisy. The £200 deposit was unexpected, and paying another £20 to park in their car park felt ridiculous. Those extra costs added up.

Everything needed was there, including a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and even cleaning supplies. My friend is staying there for a week, and when I visited, his ground-floor apartment had a bedroom, living area with kitchen, and a spacious bathroom with a bath. It also opened onto a back garden, which was handy for me as a smoker. In good weather you can leave the sliding doors open or sit outside. It's tucked off a back road, but the bus stops and tube are a very short walk away. A good location, even though it's not on the main street. Much better than just renting a small hotel room, in my view. Worth checking the prices before booking another hotel in the area.

The apartments are fine if you're after a budget stay. Ours was very clean, with a good-sized living area and kitchen, plus a bedroom and full bathroom. The location isn't bad, right near the big Ben and Houses of Parliament. There aren't good restaurants close by, nice breakfast spots or places to shop. If those are things you want nearby, this probably isn't for you, and you'll end up spending a fortune on taxis. Overall, it was OK.

It's reasonably decent for what it costs. The apartment itself was fine, with a well-equipped kitchen, though there wasn't much cooking equipment. It had a dishwasher and washing machine. The queen bed is actually two singles pushed together. It's noisy at all hours because the building overlooks the station's tracks, and the central line night tube goes by.