Chapter South Bank — Hotel in London

Perfect location--specially for KCL students--safe, clean and a fantastic management team.

I stayed at Chapter South Bank from September 2019 to October 2020. l researched/visited several accommodations and went with Chapter South Bank because of the clean rooms, facilities (including an on-site gym), 24/7 security and proximity to KCL's Strand Campus and the Southwark tube station (Jubilee line). The only thing that could make it more perfect is a resident cat or dog!! :)

Chapter's 5/5 rating though is really thanks to their superb and professional management team. Geanne and Ibrahim were my first new friends in London and they go above and beyond to make sure everything is running smoothly. Any maintenance issues, which were rare, were sorted out within 24 hours. Ellie, Robin and Tiago are immensely kind and helpful, and made me feel very at home at Chapter. They gave me lots of great LDN advice and helped me through some very stressful dissertation months. Leo and Dino were managers during my first and second term respectively, and are super invested the well-being and safety of the residents.

I particularly applaud Chapter South Bank's response to the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. They had been keeping us posted on the situation since December, and maintained strict SOPs and cleaning schedules to ensure everyone's safety. There were a lot of online events too, including yoga classes, quiz nights and music performances which really helped with any lockdown blues.

**Location

The Southwark station is three minutes away and Waterloo station about 10 minutes walking. There's a sainsburys and tesco just ten feet from the gate, and a co-op, 24/7 convenience store, Starbucks and M&S Food a five-minute walk away. The Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge are around the corner and Borough Market is ten minutes away. Borough market was a great place to shop for eggs and vegetables when supermarket supplies were limited during lockdown. There are lots of restaurants on the Cut ten minutes away. I won't say more because it's a super fun area to explore on your own.

The KCL Strand Campus is a 25 minute scenic walk away and 10-15 via bike. The Waterloo and Guy's Campuses are 10-15 minutes away on foot. It's not worth taking the tube to any of them, so you definitely save money on transport.

**Rooms and Facilities

I had a silver studio (with a double bed, small TV, stove, oven microwave and toaster) on the 8th floor in Block B. I did prefer it to block A because you're not right next to the street, it's cooler in the summer because the other block cuts the sun till the ninth floor, has a great view and you don't need to leave the building to go to the gym or laundry room. I booked early and Vicky from the online team helped me pick out a great room. The rooms are pretty soundproof and have huge windows. Unfortunately, only a small part opens, but you still get good ventilation. The radiators kept me very comfortable during the winter and there was only one week in the summer where it was super hot. A tower fan was more than enough for the summer.

The gym is a huge plus--clean, floor mats that make HIIT easier, several machines and free weights. There's also a membership gym around the corner for fitness lovers who need even more equipment. On-site laundry is convenient and a bit cheaper than prices I've seen in the city. There's also secure bike parking and a garden.

The study room and sky lounge (with a pool table, foosball , and TV) are great places to hang or study. Chapter South Bank is big enough for people who like to be social and it's also easy to find space and time for yourself if you prefer to be in your own.

I would highly recommend Chapter South Bank. It's value for money, especially if you’re doing a one year programme. Far more secure and clean compared to other places-- based on what I heard from friends in other private accommodations and university residences. My year in London wouldn't have been half as amazing without my Chapter South...

I stayed here during my first year and rebooked early on, largely because my family back home thought it looked like a high-quality student accommodation — especially compared to the usual horror stories. Unfortunately, I deeply regret that decision.

While I’m grateful for the people I met during my first year, and I appreciate the friendliness of the daytime receptionists and the location, those are about the only positives I can offer.

There were multiple issues throughout my stay — starting from day one. When I first moved in, my room was disgusting. I assumed it had been cleaned professionally, considering the high price tag, but I ended up scrubbing everything myself. There were hairs on the bed and the bathroom was filthy. I later learned that it’s the previous student’s responsibility to clean the room — with little to no inspection from staff before the next tenant arrives. I spent so much money on cleaning products just to make the space livable.

In my second year, I moved to a different room and was horrified to find white stains on the sofa. I won’t assume what they were, but I was disgusted and had to buy a cover to hide them. The extractor fan and ventilation system were faulty — any time I cooked or showered, a high-pitched beeping would start and only stop if I turned off all the electricity in my room (including my fridge) for hours. I complained multiple times — the first time nothing was done, the second time a receptionist confirmed how awful it was but told me to just “deal with it.” After more complaints, the problem was slightly improved, but it still wasn’t fully fixed.

The furniture is outdated and inconsistent — I had a broken chair and was told I couldn’t get a new one because only certain rooms were being updated, even though many others had received replacements.

The rooftop, while visually appealing at first glance, has gone downhill too — cushions missing or destroyed, and chairs that smell terrible. The lights in one area were unresponsive for three months.

Most frustratingly, they now allow Airbnb guests, despite advertising themselves as a student-only accommodation. We’ve had uncomfortable interactions with strangers in what should be student-only common spaces. When we raised this concern, we were told that nothing would be done unless something inappropriate actually happened. This approach is not only dismissive — it’s unsafe.

There’s no air conditioning, and the windows barely open, making the rooms unbearably hot and suffocating year-round. There’s no recycling system, and the lifts often smell awful — with no efforts made to freshen them up.

This place is absolutely not worth the money. It’s overpriced, poorly maintained, and deeply disappointing. After two years here, I can confidently say: I feel very taken...

Review: Unsafe, Invasive, and Poorly Managed – Avoid at All Costs

After living here for two years, I feel compelled to speak out. What started as a decent place for students has become an increasingly unsafe and uncomfortable environment, and I would strongly advise against moving in.

Safety Concerns Ignored by Management

Without any prior notice to residents, management has started allowing Airbnb guests into the building. These guests are often middle-aged men, and some have made unsettling remarks like “loving the student accommodation.” Many students, especially women, feel threatened and unsafe in what is meant to be a secure living space. When we raised these concerns, the manager, Richard, outright dismissed them, stating that unless something “serious” happens, nothing will be done. Over 20 students have already decided not to renew their contracts because of this issue alone.

Invasive and Unacceptable Staff Conduct

One of the most disturbing issues is the staff's complete disregard for students’ privacy. Staff members have master keys and repeatedly enter rooms without knocking, prior notice, or permission. Several female residents — myself included — have experienced being walked in on while getting dressed or resting. This is not only an invasion of privacy but a serious violation of trust and contract terms. It has left many of us feeling anxious and constantly on edge in our own rooms. No one should feel unsafe in their own home, especially in a residence marketed specifically to students.

Poor Maintenance and Indifference from Reception

Bathrooms are consistently mouldy, and maintenance issues are ignored or brushed aside. There is only one maintenance worker for the entire building, and residents are constantly told he is “overworked” and can’t address anything deemed “non-urgent” — even when those issues directly impact our day-to-day comfort. Meanwhile, the rent increases every year without any improvement to facilities or services.

Management’s Double Standards

The management holds students rigidly to every clause of the contract but refuses to uphold their own responsibilities. I went a full week without hot water and was made to feel like an inconvenience for requesting a fix. This kind of neglect is unacceptable, especially considering how expensive the rent is.

Poor Value for Money and Lack of Community

For the price, you get very little in return. There’s little to no student community, no real support, and a constant sense of unease. For the same price — or less — you could rent your own private apartment with more space, freedom, and...