Native King’s Wardrobe might be the closest a traveler will get to sleeping on royal turf in London. No, this isn’t a closet for rent at Buckingham Palace but rather a fashionable vacation apartment complex with a somewhat secretive history. Wardrobe Place, a cluster of terraces wrapped around a private courtyard, was laid out in the late 17th century after the Great Fire of London ravaged the building once known as the Royal Wardrobe. Until the 1666 disaster, this facility had safeguarded the king’s ceremonial robes as well as tapestries, armor, and state regalia.
Photos: Native King's Wardrobe
This Historic London Aparthotel Lets You Sleep Near Royal Ground
Instead of reestablishing the Royal Wardrobe, the monarchy’s apparel was distributed across the Tower of London and regal residences, thus closing a chapter on this part of history. The eight terraces now occupied by Native By Nuna’s aparthotel — and named after notable fashion designers — stand minutes from St Paul’s Cathedral, providing a calm, convenient place to stay in the historic heart of London.
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Native’s accommodation concept
Photo: Native King’s Wardrobe
Airbnb or hotel? When it comes to choosing, I naturally lean towards self-catered accommodation. As I work while traveling, I welcome the extra space and creature comforts of a rental apartment, and even when on vacation, I prefer to at least have the option to prepare my own meals. That said, I do appreciate having a round-the-clock front desk, especially when traveling solo, and it’s always nice to come “home” to freshly fluffed pillows.
Operating in London, Manchester, Brighton, and Glasgow, Native presents a hybrid between a vacation rental and a hotel. Starting at £292 ($390) per night for a studio, which is in keeping with an upper mid-range hotel in London, these properties have the convenience of an Airbnb and the perks of 24/7 reception and daily housekeeping.
There aren’t any hidden costs or booking fees; optional add-ons such as the £15 ($20) pet fee or parking charges are made clear at the time of booking. Checking in at Counter, a one-stop shop for coffee, brunch, wine, and support during my stay, I was escorted to my rental in person and shown the ropes before being left with a wad of recommendations and a WhatsApp contact in case I needed an extra pint of milk.
Self-catered convenience in Central London
Photo: Native King’s Wardrobe
I stayed in an indulgently large one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment (the second being what we Brits refer to as a throne room) with a lounge overlooking the inner courtyard below. The living room had a proper wooden desk, making it an appealing option for remote workers like me trying to avoid the dreaded shrimp spine from hunching over dining tables.
A sparkling-clean, sage-green kitchen came stocked with modern gadgets and essentials like coffee, milk, and cooking oil. A quick scan of a QR code clued me in on how to use all the appliances without the risk of causing a repeat of 1966. Another directed me to an online library of simple recipes as part of the Cooking With Native initiative, a cozy alternative to booking a private chef. Air-conditioning is available in summer, and most apartments are accessible by elevator — two amenities that aren’t always a guarantee in London’s historic residential blocks. Most of these modernized units also have a washing machine.
Despite the central location and proximity to watering holes (walk 30 seconds for a real ale at The Cockpit), I slept soundlessly with all windows wide open on a balmy summer’s evening. The blackout curtains spared me the 4:00 AM sunrise, although I did make the most of the EC4 postcode by venturing out for an early morning riverside stroll before the nearest coffee shop had poured its first brew.
Neighborhood ethos
Photo: Native King’s Wardrobe
Apart from the chic decor and deluxe fittings, the mentality behind Native is neighborhood-focused exploration. And, while I’m sure the Bankside, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and Fulham Broadway aparthotels make a worthy contender, it’s really, really hard to beat Native King’s Wardrobe on location. The apartments are minutes from St Paul’s Cathedral while Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe are a 15-minute walk across the river — this was the circuit I took on my early-bird wander, before following the Thames Path east to Tower Bridge.
I appreciated the pocket-sized map, marked with nearby landmarks as well as neighborhood treasures, like the closest bookstore and a cocktail bar overlooking Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, and offbeat attractions such as the Barbican Conservatory. One of London’s greatest assets is its walkability — despite its size, Zone 1 is largely navigable on foot. Staying at King’s Wardrobe puts the best of the City and West End at your poulaines (fortunately, sneakers don’t go against Native’s dress code). 