A tiny Airbnb studio in North London has shocked social media users with its size being compared to that of a ‘prison cell designed by IKEA’.
The singular room on Baron Street, north London, is described by host Marcus as ‘the missing link between entire space and private room’, which is available for between £36 and £52 a night.
For this price, guests will be given access to a room containing a toilet with a sink on the cistern, which is situated next to a singular bed.
They will also have access to a fold-out desk which configures as a radiator cover and a thin 70cmx70cm shower cubicle fitted into the wall.
Marcus says the tiny room size allows him to offer the ‘best price for guests’ who are looking to explore London on a budget, providing a ‘desirable central location with great transport links’.
However, people on social media were appalled by the room on offer, with some going as far as to compare the window design to that of the bars of a prison cell.
The singular room on Baron Street in north London is available for between £36 and £52 a night
A thin shower cubicle is fitted into the wall of the room which is soley for the use of the guest
Guests would also have access to a singular bed which is situated right next to the toilet and sink combination
The Airbnb description reads: ‘The missing link between entire space and private room! a fully self contained lockable room, it has its own shower, sink, toilet and bed, there’s even a desk/workspace! The tiny size makes it possible to provide the best price for your own space in a desirable central location with great transport links.’
One shocked person took to social media to post pictures of the room, saying: ‘That’s a fancy cell. Why is there a window instead of bars.’
A second user agreed and added: ‘Looks like a prison cell designed by IKEA’, while a third wrote: ‘This can’t be real!’.
Despite the online criticism, those who have stayed in the studio have given nothing but praise to the host and the space provided, giving it an average rating of 4.93 stars.
Dominik wrote: ‘The room is small, but has everything you need. It is very clean and the host is nice and helpful.
‘From this location I could easily walk to the center of London, you can also take the metro or bus. There are plenty of pubs and bar around. I recommend!’
Thomas added: ‘I had an excellent time in Angel! [The host] was exceptionally attentive and friendly, who made sure my stay was perfect.
‘The studio is immaculately clean and everything is very well thought out to make the small space as comfortable as possible.
‘Cherry on the top is the location: a gorgeous quiet little neighbourhood in the heart of London!’
Marcus stressed that while the listing was not suitable for everyone, he believed it offered a great alternative for those looking to explore London on a budget.
He says he was inspired to offer the room after seeing the economy of space needed to live in caravans and boats.
The room contains a toilet with a sink on the cistern alongside a singular bed
The 30cm clearance under the bed is the only space for guests to store any baggage
A radiator cover configured as a folding desk which is found at the end of the bed
Marcus stressed that while the listing was not suitable for everyone, he believed it offered a great alternative for those looking to explore London on a budget
Despite the online criticism, those who have stayed in the studio have given nothing but praise to the host and the space provided
He added: ‘I find it odd people accept small layouts in mobile homes but building like this in a permanent residence people think there’s something outrageous in it.’
Because of the studio’s limitations, the room cannot be booked instantly, as Marcus takes time to assess whether the guests would be suitable to stay.
The host says he turns down a lot of approaches because he doesn’t accept people carrying large luggage or working from home. The longest stay available is for seven straight days.
He said: ‘I live beside this space [and] I don’t want to be around someone every day who feels they’ve been misled, booked something inadequate/unsuitable or is making do.
‘This is a place to explore central London from – [it] is in easy reach of a host of experiences so it’s not somewhere that needs to provide entertainment.
‘Guests feel good saving money on an element of a city break that’s actually not so important – the things that don’t need space: sleeping [and] showering.
‘I believe living small can solve big societal problems – house shares are better for energy conservation/the environment and if done well direct tourists away from renting entire properties which helps with the housing crisis fuelled in part by short term holiday lets.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-13100489/Airbnb-studio-North-London-prison-cell.html
