SERVICED APARTMENT: STAY CAMDEN

THE APARTMENT In the super trendy Hawley Wharf canalside development in the heart of Camden, STAY Camden has 169 spacious, stylish one, two or threebed apartments. Below is the equallly stylish co-working and office space,

LABS Hawley Lock, one of 10 LABS in London and part of the same company.

THE CHECK-IN My colleague and I both had trouble finding the entrance (not on the canal side), but once inside it was an oasis of calm. A few Gen Zs were working in the plant-filled lobby lounge and the team at the 24-hour reception and concierge desk greeted me like an old friend. I immediately felt at home and wished I was staying longer, – or was moving in permenantly!

THE ROOMS Our Premium Twobedroom Apartment was like something out of Wallpaper Magazine. In fact, I googled it and the apartments featured in that magazine in 2022, the article noting that in-house designer Yaara Gooner "draws light in through the full length windows and balconies, which frame the spacious pastel-coloured interiors". I couldn't have put it better, and would add that the use of brass, exposed joinery and brushed steel cleverly reflect the location, too. As well as top notch design, the apartment is enormous, has underfloor heating (such a luxury), not just one but two balcony terraces with canal views, and a very generous welcome pack of goodies. Everything was spotless, despite everything being white or in pastel, earthy colours. Credit to the cleaners.

THE FACILITIES Choose from a wide choice of funky eateries close by or there's a Sainsbury's across the road. STAY guests can use the ultra-modern fitness centre in the same building.

THE BUSINESS Guests get 20% off day membership at LABS Hawley Lock, three floors of stunning, industrial-style flexible work and meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows streaming in more of that natural light. A communal lounge and kitchen encourages creativity and collaboration or there are fullyequipped meeting rooms and phone booths for private meetings and calls.

THE VERDICT A fine example of what you can do if you start from scratch. This is serviced apartment living and co-working at their very best. I would be happy to live and work here.

THE DETAILS There is a minimum stay of seven nights. Prices on request. stay.com

BRASS, EXPOSED JOINERY AND BRUSHED STEEL CLEVERLY REFLECT THE LOCATION