Ref: MCH. Metro Central Heights, SE1.

Excellent budget accommodation - wonderful views, great transport links - sleeps 3/4.  Map

View from the apartment - can you spot Big Ben and The Palace of Westminster?

We won't pretend that this is the smartest part of London but it's perfectly safe, rather colourful, only 2 minutes walk from the tube (Elephant and Castle - Bakerloo and Northern lines) and then just a 10 minute ride to central London. It also has stunning views over the capital towards The London Eye and The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament).

The apartment is on the 16th floor (excellent lifts) of a 1950s block, totally re-furbished 10 years ago and now presented as an up-market condominium with 24/7 concierge service and gated security. In the basement there's an 11m x 5.5m swimming pool, steam room and gym - all of which you are welcome to use.

If there's a downside it's the fact that the building is close to a major traffic route and noise does reach up to the 16th floor. When shut, the double glazed windows are very effective at keeping the noise out but if the windows are open the traffic hum is clearly heard - however this is not something that should bother city dwellers.

The apartment sleeps 3/4 people in two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with a double sofa-bed. There's one bathroom.

The living/dining area (18ft x 15ft3, 5.5m x 4.65m), decorated with attractive masks from all over the world has 2 two-seater sofas, a glass dining table that seats 4, TV and broadband internet access - bring your own laptop.

The modern kitchen area adjoins the living area and has all the expected appliances including a microwave, dishwasher.

The main bedroom (13ft9 x 8ft9, 4.2m x 2.65m) has a 5ft wide double bed and built-in cupboards provide good storage space.

The second bedroom (10ft6 x 7ft3, 3.2m x 2.2m) has a sofa that converts to a 4ft wide double bed.

The bathroom has a shower (no bath), basin and loo. The washing machine is in the bathroom.

In the basement, as well as the pool and the gym, there are also excellent laundry facilities - serious washing machines and dryers.

The building has a pleasant central courtyard area with seating overlooking a large pond.

A nearby shopping centre (3 minutes walk) has all shops required for everyday living - including a good supermarket for food and groceries. If you fancy walking rather than using the tube - Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe and Borough Market (a must for foodies) is only 20 minutes away.

This is a No Smoking property.