05 Oct 10 London Serviced Apartments for 2012 Workers, Competitors and Spectators
London is renowned for being one of the most culturally-rich cities in the world. With a population of over 7.5m and a diverse range of people, cultures and religions, it’s no wonder that it attracts so many people from countries all over the world.
With 2010 quickly coming to an end, excitement in London is building as the city prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Hundreds of thousands of people will be visiting London in July/August of 2012 to attend, participate in or work at the Olympic Games, all of whom will need suitable accommodation. It is therefore of the highest importance that accommodation providers throughout London fully prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games, so that they can meet demand both before and during the event.
Whether it’s a hotel, serviced apartment, hostel or bed and breakfast, all London accommodation providers will inevitably become fully booked months before the Olympic Games are due to start, making it highly important to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible. But how do you choose the right accommodation for you?
Serviced apartments in London offer a wide range of accommodation for any short, medium or long term stay. From the highest quality luxury apartments, to cheaper, value for money apartments, a London serviced apartment can be found to fit most requirements. Coming fully equipped with a kitchen and living area, serviced apartments offer a comfortable and relaxing environment that you will not be able to get from a hotel.
When looking for accommodation for the Olympic Games, it is important to stay somewhere convenient and easily accessible to the Olympic Stadium. The two nearest tube/train stations to the London Olympic Stadium are Stratford and West Ham. With hundreds of thousands of people travelling to the Games each day, the roads and public transport facilities will be under far more pressure than normal so expect it to be hectic and busy. Serviced apartments in London can be found within close proximity to the London Olympic Stadium, with some apartments located so close by that they have a view of the stadium itself. Staying in accommodation so close to the Olympic Games will allow you to bypass the chaotic transport facilities, reducing stress and saving you both time and money.
For people participating in the Olympic Games or people working there, it will be very important to have somewhere relaxing to go home to. Serviced apartments in London give you the privacy you need and the option to cook your own meals to suit individual dietary requirements, or just to enjoy a relaxing night in without having to eat out in a restaurant. Having the ability to cook your own meals is a convenient alternative to eating out every evening, and certainly a lot cheaper. It is because of benefits like this that serviced apartments in London, as well as in many other areas of the world, are becoming increasingly popular, attracting people who previously thought that a hotel was their only option.
The 2012 Olympic Games will place great stress on traditional forms of accommodation, making London serviced apartments an attractive alternative. Leading serviced apartments agent SilverDoor has a wide range of properties available in the UK capital.
Tags: London serviced apartments, serviced apartments, SilverDoor
23 Jul 10 Seeing the Sights From West London Serviced Apartments
Popular with corporate travellers, west London is a preferred location by many of those on business to the city, given the excellent choice of London serviced apartments available and the ease with which those residing here can travel into central London and the City. Whilst Kensington serviced apartments, and serviced apartments in Mayfair, are excellently located for travel, they also offer their residents the opportunity to explore some of London’s nearby sights, renowned shopping hot-spots, attractions and landmarks.
Nearby public transport is abundant and frequent for both Kensington serviced apartments and those serviced apartments in Mayfair. Here you will find more Michelin starred restaurants per street than any other part of London. Heading into Covent Garden and Leicester Square, you’ll find the famous theatres and shows of London’s West End. Dubbed ‘Theatreland’, the areas holds over forty theatres, many of which date back to the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Current productions include highly-popular musicals like Billy Elliot, Blood Brothers, The Lion King and Les Miserables, and the West End also features the world’s longest running show, The Mousetrap, which has played at St Martin’s Theatre since 1952 with over 20,000 performances.
Other popular London serviced apartments lie just south of Kensington, in Chelsea, home tothe popular King’s Road. Running westwards from Sloane Square, King’s Road gained its fame during the 1960s by the fashionistas of the time. Today, you will still find clothing boutiques here from well-known fashion figures like Vivian Westwood. When staying in a serviced apartment in Chelsea you’re also spoilt for choice by all the excellent restaurants and bars nearby. This includes quality gastropubs, coffee shops, delis and a broad array of restaurants that serve anything from steaks, seafood and pizzas, to Japanese cuisine and Gallic dishes.
Just north of Kensington you’ll find serviced apartments in Notting Hill which are located around the junction of Holland Park Avenue and Bayswater Road. From west London, these roads head directly to Oxford Circus, making these London serviced apartments ideally located for those intending to head to Oxford Street or Regent street in their spare time. With regular buses and train services that run along this route, it’s never a problem to get home to your serviced apartment in Notting Hill after a night on the town. Within Notting Hill itself is an eclectic mix of cafes and quaint shops that sell anything from second-hand books to military uniforms. Ten minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate is Portobello Road, a bustling hive of activity that comes alive each weekend with market stalls, antique dealers, clothing shops and farmers selling fresh produce.
For those staying in a serviced apartment in the City, it’s only a matter of a quick bus or train ride to more of London’s famous sights. Just south of the City, across the River Thames, is South Bank, a two mile stretch that’s home to the Royal Festival Hall, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Borough Market the world renown food market. Head east from the serviced apartments in the City and you’ll hit Shoreditch, an area well-known for its trendy bars, clubs and the curry houses of Brick Lane. On Fridays and Saturdays you’re sure to get a great deal at one of the Brick Lane restaurants that serve some of London’s best Indian food. Sundays on Brick Lane are also great for food lovers who can enjoy the delights of Brick Lane market.
Even corporate travellers need to take time out from work and London serviced apartments are ideally located for this purpose. SilverDoor boasts a wide range of serviced apartments in the UK capital and other worldwide city locations.
Tags: London serviced apartments, serviced apartments, SilverDoor
19 Jul 10 London Serviced Apartments across London’s Famous Boroughs
Synonymous with being London’s economic hub, and home to some of the world’s biggest financial institutions, banks and corporations, the City of London and Canary Wharf (and to a lesser extent, neighbouring Docklands) are visited by thousands of corporate travellers each year on assignment or placement. These locations are thus incredibly popular with business travellers who seek out London serviced apartments within or near to where they’ll be working.
Whilst your serviced apartment in Canary Wharf or Docklands serviced apartment may have a number of bars and restaurants close by to occupy your social time after work, London offers plenty of great sights slightly further afield. From your serviced apartment in Canary Wharf, it’s only a short journey on the Docklands Light Railway to the historic area of Greenwich. Located on the opposite side of the River Thames to Canary Wharf and the Docklands, you can find weekend markets, stalls, shops and restaurants here along with Greenwich Park, within which is the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. Famously, Greenwich lends its name to the Greenwich Meridian (0˚ longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time, and the park’s hill, atop of which the observatory sits, offers some spectacular views of London’s financial hub and East London on a clear day. When residing in Canary Wharf, or a Docklands serviced apartment, you’re also close to the O2 arena, a 23,000 capacity indoor arena which has recently hosted the likes of Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Gorillaz and Carlos Santana.
The City of London is London’s financial centre, making it a sought after location for London serviced apartments. Anyone that’s based in one of the City serviced apartments is spoilt for choice by the sights and sounds the surrounding area has to offer. Just across the River Thames is South Bank, a vibrant cultural strip that’s home to the National Theatre, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall and the Tate Modern art gallery. To the west of City serviced apartments are the world-famous theatres of London’s highly popular West End where you’ll find some of the world’s longest running theatrical productions.
If it’s a Mayfair serviced apartment you’re occupying, or a serviced apartment in Bayswater, you will find all the shops and restaurants of central London close by. Serviced apartments in Bayswater are located close to Bayswater Road, a major thoroughfare that extends from West London, through Notting Hill, and along to Oxford Street with its numerous departments stores, boutiques and shops. Mayfair serviced apartments, too, are close to the amenities of central London. This is assuming you stick to the traditional definition of central London that is Charing Cross. The theatres, shows and nightlife of Leicester Square in the West End are only four stops away from Mayfair via Piccadilly Line train services on the Underground. If you’re after some culture that’s a bit nearer, Mayfair is close to the Royal Albert Hall, where the BBC Proms are held each year, and the Natural History Museum. Mayfair and Bayswater also flank one of London’s biggest green spaces, Hyde Park. Massive outdoor concerts have been held here by bands such as Radiohead, Kings of Leon and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, However it also serves as a great place to exercise or just escape the hustle and bustle.
City Serviced apartments are comfortable option for business accommodation in London. SilverDoor represents over 41,000 properties worldwide, including a wide range of London serviced apartments.
Tags: City Serviced apartments, London serviced apartments, SilverDoor
03 Jun 10 Taking Time Out From Business Travel in London
In addition to being the economic hub that it is, London is renowned as one of the most culturally-rich cities in the world. Whilst a corporate traveller on assignment is primarily here on business, the city offers plenty to see and do after hours and at weekends to entice visitors from their London serviced apartment. With summer making a welcome appearance, London is buzzing with weekend festivals, markets and outdoor events alongside the perennial theatres, art galleries, museums, excellent restaurants and world class shopping.
The popular RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Kew’s Summer Festival, Brick Lane Festival and the Lovefootball Festival, got under way in May. During June, there’s Trooping the Colour – the Queen’s birthday parade, the More London Free Festival, the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival and the City of London Festival. July and August will see the Shoreditch Festival and the Great British Beer Festival amongst a host of others. London also hosts a number of very popular music festivals including Wireless Festival, South West Four, Hard Rock Calling, LED, Lovebox and the Hampton Court Palace Festival.
London’s theatres offer another popular pastime which you’ll find across the city. The more commercial West End theatre district has some of the world’s most successful productions including Chicago, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, and Oliver. London’s vibrant live music scene is incredibly popular, too, showcasing plenty of local talent on a nightly basis and drawing thousands of international artists each year. For something more traditional, London’s art galleries and museums are amongst the world’s finest if you are in need of a culture fix whilst staying in a London serviced apartment. Highlights include the Tate Britain and Tate Modern, The National Portrait Gallery, The British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museum, along with hundreds of others.
For those who like to shop, London is famous for its numerous shopping hotspots, high-streets and ornate period shopping arcades. Many London serviced apartments are in reach of a popular shopping district or area, from the luxury department stores of Knightsbridge and Kensington, and the high street shopping strip of Oxford Street, to the eclectic second hand shops and vintage clothing stalls of Shoreditch and Camden.
Regardless of your London serviced apartment’s location, there’s sure to be a large, open green space that’s relatively close by. Central London has Regent’s Park, St James’ Park, Hyde Park and Green Park. In north London you’ll find Hampstead Heath, whilst south London has Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common and the greenery of Richmond. West London has the beautiful Holland Park, whilst in the east you’ll find Victoria Park.
Outdoor markets serve as a great weekend pastime as well and are located throughout the city. Some of the most popular include Portobello Road Market, with its antique dealers and clothing stalls, the delicacies at Borough and Brick Lane Sunday markets, and the fresh produce of the farmer’s markets in Marylebone, Clapham, Alexandra Palace and Chiswick. A London serviced apartment then provides the means to cook any food you may have bought, thanks to the fully equipped kitchen.
If you are looking for London serviced apartments close to the Capital’s most popular attractions, contact SilverDoor. Representing over 42,000 properties worldwide, SilverDoor is Europe’s leading provider of serviced apartments.
Tags: London serviced apartments, serviced apartments, SilverDoor
14 May 10 London Serviced Apartments for MPs
Now that the new CON-DEM government has been formed, some MPs will find themselves promoted into cabinet positions, and spending much more time in Westminster than they were expecting. In addition, 227 of the 650 MPs in Parliament are new to Westminster and so will be unsure where they are going to live while away from their constituencies, especially since David Cameron has vowed to put an end to the very long Parliamentary recesses of the past. In 2009 for example, the recess ran from 21st July until 12th October!
For MPs both new and old, the process of finding suitable accommodation has never been so challenging. With the expenses scandal so fresh in the memories of the public, it was inevitable that new rules came into force and all MPs must abide by these new rules. On Sunday 9th May, Sir Ian Kennedy, chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) appeared on the Andrew Marr Show to briefly summarise the new rules on accommodation expenses. He explained that there will be: “…no more mortgage expenses, no more flipping, none of that” and “…the whole idea of a second home has gone. You [MPs] will be expected to nominate where you’re going to live in London. That accommodation is a 1-bed flat, and if you’ve got a family, a 2-bed flat.”
Since there is so much attention on cleaning up MPs’ expenses, there is great emphasis on transparency and on ensuring that there is absolutely no abuse of expenses. With this in mind, MPs have two options. They can rent a flat in the conventional way or they can stay in London serviced apartments. The benefit of serviced apartments is that you just pay for the dates you’re actually there. So if the next Commons session runs from 25th May until 23rd July with a summer break until October, it is far more cost effective to rent a serviced apartment just for the dates while Parliament is in session, rather than having to commit and pay for a 6 or 12 month tenancy, when you may only stay there for less than half the total time.
Serviced apartments are fully equipped and furnished, so there is no need for MPs to buy and claim for biscuit tins and such like, as new Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was ridiculed for doing. With the exception of outgoing phone calls, all bills are included too as is a maid service, at least once a week. So for the busy MPs of the new Parliament, serviced apartments in London are the ideal accommodation solution, since they will be able to move straight in, with minimal administration and will be spared the tedious and time-consuming tasks of setting up all the utilities, broadband, cable TV etc. Furthermore having a maid service should free up some precious time in their very busy schedules. There is a very wide range of serviced apartments available in Westminster, in neighbouring areas and all over London to suit a variety of budgets.
SilverDoor is a leading provider of serviced apartments, representing over 41,000 properties worldwide. As well as a wide range of London serviced apartments, SilverDoor can provide accommodation in over 190 international locations.
Tags: London serviced apartments, serviced apartments, SilverDoor
05 Mar 10 SilverDoor Offers New Serviced Apartments in Canary Wharf
Leading serviced apartment Agency SilverDoor gives their seal of approval to the new Canary Wharf development. With the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, more and more people are moving into the London area to work on projects of all kinds including construction, project management and event management. London serviced apartments are in higher demand than ever, and several new serviced apartment buildings have been constructed in Canary Wharf in order to accommodate the influx of 2012 workers.
Oz Petruzziello of SilverDoor visited the latest serviced apartments development, “The Landmark” (West Tower) in Marsh Wall.
Petruzziello comments:
“This is an impressive building with great features to offer and being positioned in such a convenient location is bound to be very popular. The apartments themselves are furnished to a high standard.”
All the apartments feature floor to ceiling windows in the bedrooms and marble-finished bathrooms. Studios, one bedroom and two bedroom serviced apartments are available, all featuring washer/dryers, integrated appliances and Freeview TV.
Building work is still in progress on the front of the reception area but once it is complete, these London serviced apartments are expected to be very popular. Just a five minute walk from Canary Wharf tube station, the building benefits from a convenient location and the ultra-modern feel of the serviced apartments is sure to create a high demand.
Petruzziello continued:
“I’d have to say after viewing many serviced apartments in Canary Wharf over the years, these are definitely one of my favourites and if I were working and staying in Canary Wharf, these would be my first choice for accommodation.”
About SilverDoor:
Founded in 2000, SilverDoor has a decade’s worth of experience in the provision of serviced apartments for a wide variety of clients. These include many FTSE 100 companies as well as a magic circle law firm.
SilverDoor represents over 41,000 properties in many international cities, including London, Paris and New York.
For further information about serviced apartments, visit www.silverdoor.co.uk.
Contact details:
Laura Chambers
+44 (0)20 8630 7200
laurachambers@silverdoor.co.uk
Tags: London serviced apartments, serviced apartments, SilverDoor
