Travelling, even at the best of times, can be a tiring affair. If you have a project-based accommodation requirement in central London for less than 6 months, or if you’re booking on behalf of a business executive, it can be tricky finding accommodation that is within budget. A hotel may be nice, but are you truly getting the best bang for your buck? The alternative option, one that offers greater relaxation, more amenities , all for an affordable price, is serviced apartments. They’re an increasingly popular choice for corporate travel – for good reasons.
What is a serviced apartment and why does it improve corporate travel?
A serviced apartment aims to provide comfort similar to that of a home. There is a living area and a kitchen, offering the most authentic home-away-from-home experience.
When you return to your serviced apartment after a long day, you can kick off your shoes, relax on the sofa and enjoy a number of entertainment options depending on the property – from smart TVs to games consoles. When you’re ready, you can cook yourself a meal in the kitchen and enjoy it on the dining table – perhaps with a friend or business partner. Many apartments come equipped with a dishwasher in the kitchen area too.
What’s more, serviced apartments offer luxuries you may be used to from hotels. Your apartment will normally be cleaned weekly, or even daily for high-end accommodation. You’ll receive fresh sheets and fresh towels, plus all the extra amenities, such as shampoos, soaps and conditioners on arrival. For added convenience, there is usually a washer-dryer in the apartment, or alternatively, communal laundry facilities in the smaller more compact apartments. Many of the serviced apartment properties also have a gym for residents or offer breakfast.
Hotels, by contrast, are limited in what they offer. Typically, a hotel room, even a more premium one, provides a bed, a TV, a kettle, a phone and little else. You can’t cook your own meals and usually lack the space and facilities to lounge around. With a serviced apartment, you get familiarity, comfort and the freedom to make that choice.
Have a look at our pages for corporate clients.
Price
It all sounds great, but does it come at a price? Incredibly, staying at a serviced apartment is usually more cost-effective than staying at a hotel of similar quality.
An average 4* Hotel in either the West End or City of London can be between £250-£300 + VAT per night – depending on the time of year, however, a one-bedroom apartment can be booked from as little as £180 + VAT per night. Hotels charge per night, so you’ll always receive a compounded rate. Serviced apartments, in contrast, offer flexible rates for longer stays – the longer the stay, the cheaper the rate. Plus, we will always negotiate a discount for corporate clients.
Finally…
Not only are there more amenities in a serviced apartment, they also usually come at a cheaper price. Plus, instead of shelling out on expensive restaurant food, you have the option to shop like a local and cook in your apartment. You also have an array of entertainment options from the comfort of your sofa. Of course, visiting a nice restaurant or attending a night out can be part of the agenda too, but unlike hotels, serviced apartments give you budget-friendly alternatives.
Being in the serviced apartment sector for over 30 years, we understand the importance of staying in an environment which is safe, relaxing and easily accessible to your office. As a totally independent agency, we have vetted all the properties we represent so that we can match up the apartment with the client, to offer the most suitable and best choice value for the corporate traveller.
Contact us today to discover how we can help you!