Guest User
November 13, 2025
On paper, Widegate Residential has a lot going for it. It is centrally located close to Liverpool Street station, the underground, Spitalfields shopping and many eating places. My studio appeared to be well equipped with a hob, microwave, sink, fridge, kettle, tea and coffee making, biscuits, complimentary water, terrace, ensuite wet room, complimentary toiletries, shower with handset and overhead drencher, sofabed, comfortable bed, choice of pillows, small wardrobe, plugs and usb charging points, TV with a few channels, dressing table and mirror, ironing board, hairdryer and air conditioning. I was greeted by a helpful reception two doors away on the same street open 9am to 9pm daily. However, the apartment had a very poor initial impression. You enter through a battered street door, with narrow uneven corridors, very steep staircase, bare damaged walls, ripped carpets and some hand written room numbers. Decorators were working when I entered and I had to literally climb over them and their equipment to get to my room. I think the apartment owners should inform people when booking if working is being done or even better just close the place while work is underway. The impression was of a poor HMO or hostel. Although well equipped, the maintenance of the studio was poor. The room had a ripped carpet, stained ceilings and walls and mould in wet room. The studio was poorly lit so seemed gloomy. There were only three ceiling lights and the two bedside lights were damaged and neither was working. There was no light near the mirror or kitchen area. There was limited cutlery - four knives and two spoons - which means use of the kitchen to prepare food would be difficult. I didn't feel safe staying there due to concerns about fire safety. I could see no fire exit signs in the room, or corridor. The corridors were narrow and uneven and there were ripped carpets on the stairs. There appeared to be only one way in and out with no other fire exit. The doors in my room and in the corridors did not appear to be of a fire door standard. The door in the corridor had been locked so it would not close. The studio had poor soundproofing - I could hear voices from next door, footsteps from upstairs and toilets flushing could be clearly heard. I'm afraid I've had to rate this studio poor and cannot recommend it.
