The monarchy used to keep its clothes in the Royal Wardrobe. That chapter ended centuries ago, with the apparel scattered across the Tower of London and various regal homes. But the physical location? It lives on. Or rather, it sleeps.
Eight terraces now occupy this patch of history. They form Native By Nuna’s Native King’s Wardrobe aparthotel, named for the eight iconic designers who have graced its walls. It stands minutes from St Paul’s Cathedral. Quiet. Convenient. Historically significant, yet modern in every tangible way.
This isn’t a museum exhibit you visit. It’s a place to stay. Specifically, it answers the question: how do you find Native By Nuna aparthotel that balances the chaos of London with the sanity of a home away from home?
The Hybrid Concept
Hotels. Airbnbs. The binary choice is exhausting. I lean rental. I need a desk that doesn’t look like a dining table bent over in pain. I need to brew my own coffee. I need control.
But I also like pillows that don’t look like they’ve been slept in by a sheep. And I like knowing someone is awake at the front desk if I get lost in a fog or lose my key.
Native operates in London, Manchester, Brighton, Glasgow. It’s the middle ground. Starting around £292 a night for a studio, it sits in that upper-mid-range hotel bracket. But you get the space of an Airbnb. And the 24/7 reception of a hotel.
No hidden fees. The £15 pet charge? Clear at booking. Parking costs? Listed upfront. Transparency is rare. It’s refreshing.
Checking in at Counter felt different. Not a bureaucratic hurdle. A stop for coffee, wine, brunch. The staff walked me through my apartment personally. Shown the ropes. Left with a list of recommendations and a direct WhatsApp line for when I inevitably needed milk. Real service. Not automated scripts.
Inside the Apartment
I stayed in a one-bedroom, two-bathroom unit. Spacious. Indulgently so. The second bathroom? The throne room. The lounge overlooked the inner courtyard. Wooden desk. Proper height. No shrimp spine for this writer.
The kitchen was sparkling clean. Sage green. Modern gadgets. Essentials stocked: coffee, milk, oil. No scavenger hunt for breakfast supplies. A QR code explained the appliances. No more guessing which button kills the dishwasher. Another code led to recipes under Cooking With Native. A cozy alternative to hiring a chef for a two-day trip.
Climate control. Air conditioning for summer. Elevators. These seem like luxuries in historic London blocks. They are amenities, not guarantees. Most units have washing machines too. Laundry day just got easier.
Location and Noise
You’d expect noise. Central London. Watering holes nearby. The Cockpit serves real ale a 30-second walk away.
Yet? Soundless sleep. Windows wide open on a balmy summer evening. The blackout curtains blocked the 4:00 AM sunrise. I still rose early. EC4 postcode called. A riverside stroll before the nearest cafe opened its doors. The city waking up is a different beast than the rush hour crowd.
Walking the Neighborhood
The decor is chic. The fittings are deluxe. But the ethos is exploration. Yes, Native has properties in Bankside, Hyde Park, May Fair, and Fulham. But King’s Wardrobe? Hard to beat the location.
St Paul’s? Minutes away. Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe? A 15-minute walk across the River Thames. That was my morning route. Followed the Thames Path east toward Tower Bridge.
The staff provided a pocket-sized map. Marked landmarks. Neighborhood treasures. The closest bookstore. A cocktail bar overlooking Christopher Wren’s St Paul’s. The Barbican Conservatory for something offbeat.
London is walkable. Despite its size. Zone 1 is navigable on foot. Your poulaines or your sneakers—the latter being more practical, and definitely allowed.
Why stick to the guidebooks? The best angles come from the streets you choose yourself. The coffee shop hasn’t poured its first brew yet. The light is still blue. And the city is waiting.
