LONDON APARTMENTS FOR VISITORS

Hotels have been the traditional choice of temporary accommodation for many people visiting London, whether it’s a holiday or a business trip. London offers a wide array of accommodation options ranging from world’s finest five-star hotels to tiny bed-sits.

But a hotel is an impersonal and soulless place, no matter how well or ill appointed it is. Also, London being one of the most costly cities in the world, hotel prices are very exorbitant. Even a modest hotel in the midst of the city can cost a fortune if you intend a prolonged stay; but the cheap alternatives might turn out to be unsafe, ‘hole-in-the-corner’ affairs. Sounds like a catch-22 situation, but not any longer! Serviced apartments, providing a ‘semi-hotel and semi-home’ experience, have emerged as the best alternative to hotels in the recent times.

What is a serviced apartment

A serviced or self-catering apartment is a furnished accommodation provided on rent for a fixed period. It has all the basic amenities such as a well appointed kitchen, laundry, iron board, carpet, central heating etc. In short, it’s a home away from home ready for occupation. You can rent them for as long as you want, a single night or several months, depending on the policy of the rental agency.

Maid service is provided to clean the apartment. Fresh bed linen and towels are also provided. Though the frequency of maid service and linen changes varies from one agency to the other, these services are assured at least once in a week. If you need these services more frequently, you may have to pay additional charges. Many provide telephone and television as part of the service. But telephone calls are charged separately. Parking facility is also available for most of the flats. Some apartments have a formal reception, porters and on-site managers to assist you during your stay. Luxury apartments in London provide in-house gym or health club facilities too.

Some agencies offer secretarial and conference facilities, too, for corporate clients. Additional facilities such as fax, personal computer, broadband Internet connection etc. are charged separately. Apartments serving corporate clients may include them in the cost of the rent.

Since the target customers are tourists and corporate clients visiting London for business most of the apartments are situated in central locations, within easy access to public transport.

Why Apartments are Preferable to Hotels

A rented flat is much more than just a bed and a room. It provides a refreshing contrast to the impersonal and monotonous atmosphere of a hotel room. Combining the quality standards of a hotel and the comfort of a family residence, rented apartments offer the best of the both worlds.

Cost-effectiveness is one of the major attractions of this arrangement. Rent is charged on the basis of the type of the accommodation, not on the number of people occupying it. Many flats provide spare sleeping arrangements like sofa beds. So, if a number of people share a flat, it works out nearly 30% cheaper than a hotel room of same standards.

Space and freedom are the other favorable factors. Space is at premium in London. More often than not there is no comparison between the size of the hotel room and the price charged. Also, many hotels impose restrictions on entertaining guests. An apartment gives you the luxury of a living room, a separate bedroom and a bathroom. You also have the freedom to work, entertain or just relax as you please.

In-house restaurants and laundry services of hotels are quite expensive. A self-catering flat provides a well-equipped kitchen, which has utensils, crockery, cutlery, microwave, dishwasher etc. You have the flexibility to cook whatever and whenever you want. Washing machine, dryer and ironing facilities are included in the rental charges and you don’t need to shell out any extra money for utilizing these services. This arrangement is especially beneficial for a family with small children.

Due too all these reasons rented flats are becoming increasingly popular with many people, whether they are on a vacation or a business visit.

Types of London Accommodation

Size or the number of rooms is the basic standard to classify the apartments. Depending on your budget and taste you can rent anything ranging from a humble studio to a luxurious five bedroom apartment. A studio is the modest and the cheapest of all. It is just one large room – bedroom, living room, kitchen all rolled into one; a tiny and separate bathroom is also provided.

One-bed room apartment is one step above. It is generally a three room accommodation with a separate bedroom and bathroom, living room and kitchen. Sometimes, a kitchenette may be provided in a corner of the living room itself instead as a separate room. You get two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments too. Small flats generally have a single entrance whereas big ones may have a side entrance, too, offering greater privacy.

Depending on the facilities provided, flats are available in different forms such as economy, medium and luxury range. Some offer elaborate choices such as budget, standard, quality, prestige and luxury apartments.

London Apartments visitors are also categorized on the basis of the duration of the stay. Some agencies specialize in short lets and some in long term lets. A short let can be for one night to a number of months. Some agencies consider a stay above 90 days a long stay and some consider six months and above a long stay.

Rental Charges

As said earlier, rent is charged per apartment rather than per occupant. However, it does not mean that a dozen people can cram into a single room studio. Additional amount may be charged if the number of occupants is above the limit. Generally, 2-4 people are allowed in a studio and 4-6 occupants in a one-bedroom flat; two and three-bedroom flats may allow 6-8 people; four and five-bedroom apartments may allow around 11 occupants. This maximum permissible number changes from agency to agency.

Tariffs change from agency to agency; but most of them offer flexible and negotiable rents to suit all needs and budgets. Rent is charged depending on the duration of the stay – per night, per week or per month – and the type of the accommodation. It goes without saying that short stays are more expensive. A short let my cost anywhere between £300-8000 per week depending on the size and quality of the accommodation. Many agencies offer discounts up to 45% for longer stays. Corporate clients are offered special discounts for frequent visits.

A budget accommodation may cost around £75 and a medium range flat may cost around £95 per night in a central location. A one- bedroom flat may cost around £100 per night whereas a two-bedroom one may cost between £100 and £200 inclusive of taxes. You should expect £200-£500 per week for a one/two-bedroom flat. Hotels of comparable standards cost double, sometimes triple, this amount even in off-season.

Searching & Booking the Accommodation

Internet is the simplest and fastest way of searching for a suitable accommodation. You can search by location, by type (number of bed-rooms/budget/luxury flat etc.), by price-range, by duration of stay. Most of the agencies give pictures and description of the flats so that you know what to expect when you physically arrive at the property.

You can book the flat by filling up an on-line application form. You need to give your name, address, contact number, e-mail address, number of days of stay, arrival and departure dates etc. Many agencies prefer payment through credit card. You are asked to pay a deposit, which varies depending on the duration of stay and type of the flat. Confirmation of your booking is mailed to you within 1-24 hours. In case of peak season better book well in advance and it is advisable to give first, second and third choices so that you don’t have to search afresh.

It is possible to cancel the booking by giving advance intimation London Apartments visitors. Depending on the policy of the agency and how early you cancel you are entitled to full or part refund of the deposit.

Confirm check-in and checkout times before arriving at the property as they vary from agency to agency. If you want to enjoy your stay at London Apartments visitors as a resident Londoner rather than as a visitor, try the rented flats, which are nothing short of a readymade home.

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