Description Sash & Piazza: London

Set opposite Covent Garden Piazza, this apartment puts one of London's most beloved squares three minutes from your door – close enough to catch the street performers, far enough that the wooden shutters keep things impressively peaceful inside. Floor-to-ceiling sash windows and original cast iron radiators give the place a distinct period character, and the underfloor heating in the bathroom is a quiet luxury on grey London mornings. The Strand is a two-minute walk, the National Gallery nine, and Leicester Square ten – a hard-to-beat base for anyone who wants the West End on their terms.

Home truths:
* The apartment is on the second floor with no lift, so you'll be carrying luggage up a narrow staircase. It's worth travelling light if you can.
* There's no air conditioning here, so on warm summer nights you may need to choose between opening the windows – which lets in street noise – or relying on the fans your host provides. It's worth bearing that in mind if you're visiting in July or August.
* Your host can provide a cot for little ones.
* The lead guest must be at least 25 years old.