Spread across the two top floors of a Victorian building in the well-heeled backstreets of Kensington, this apartment's elevated position and large windows mean that the living quarters are blessed with lots of natural illumination and consequently feel wonderfully bright and inviting.

The design makes the most of this gift, with the shiny wooden floors and stark white walls throwing daylight around the space quite nicely. There's a homely warmth to the period features and comfy furnishings, especially when contrasted with the more contemporary and eclectic collection of artwork and decorations, which ranges from peaceful coastal landscapes to Daft Punk helmets. The kitchen is both decently sized and well-equipped, as well as offering a view of local rooftops to keep you company while you chop.

Of course, the prime location means that you're not too far from some of London's most celebrated restaurants, as well as a great choice of shops and cultural institutions – both the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum can be reached in around a quarter of an hour on foot, for example.



Home truths:
*Your host can provide a cot for free upon request
*The building has no private parking, but there are paid options nearby and High Street Kensington underground station is only six minutes' walk away
*There's no elevator in the building to reach this home on the fourth and fifth floor – the host can help with bags upon arrival and it's possible to leave prams in the basement if you're travelling with children
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Well-behaved pets are welcome to accompany you during your stay