Posts Tagged ‘temporary accommodation’
Serviced apartments - the fabulous four
Thursday, July 16th, 2009In my experience serviced apartments pay particular attention to the following four areas, regardless of whether they’re a waterfront retreat or a stylish high-rise pad . . .
Techy
Having access to good, reliable technology is demanded by most guests these days. With that in mind, serviced apartments must live up to expectations – and ideally, surpass them. Guests in many apartments, not just the top spec ones, can generally enjoy a large (up to 42”) LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, DVD player, CD player, games consoles and free landline calls. Many also have TVs in the bedrooms, and often in the bathroom. Telephone entry systems are nearly always included in serviced apartments.
Arty
Sophisticated design is often seen in serviced apartments. Many developers employ talented, often well-known, designers to stamp their artistic mark on the building. Contemporary artwork is often commissioned to add colour to white-washed walls. Soft furnishings such as cushions and rugs may also be designed by local artists.
Comfy
There’s always the risk that when you’re in temporary accommodation you’ll have to sleep on a hard mattress or a bed with broken springs. However, serviced apartments generally place great importance on the quality of your sleep. Often serviced apartment literature describes the brand of mattress or the type – such as ‘medium firm’. Non-allergic duvet bedding and pillows are usually provided, to care for guests who may suffer with conditions such as asthma.
Luxury
For a ‘home from home’ experience serviced apartments must maintain a luxury feel throughout. Very often spa products, and toiletries from specialist brands such as the White Company or Molten Brown, are complementary to guests. White fluffy towels, bath robes and pampering products such as face packs also help create the relaxing experience that most guests desire.
And just in case the serviced apartments you’re thinking of staying in don’t meet the above expectations,
Serviced apartments - helping you do business
Monday, July 13th, 2009Serviced apartments can be more conducive to business than an average hotel room. And in the central business districts of cities such as Leeds and Manchester, more of an emphasis is placed on serviced apartments for this purpose. Business people in a variety of industries, from investment banking to PR, may require a serviced apartment for the following purposes:-
- Holding small meetings
- Conducting interviews
- Private work
- Entertaining clients
To facilitate business requirements and keep executive types sweet, serviced apartments for business often choose to provide the following basic services:-
- Wireless Internet access
- Office space
- Dedicated phone lines for fax/modem access
Serviced apartments which tend to be occupied by business executives, also play on the comfort factor and the sense of relaxation which a good living environment brings. Such apartments are likely to promote the likes of large living rooms, leather sofas, huge plasma TV screens (up to 42”) and king-size beds with luxurious mattresses.
There’s also the assurance of peace and quiet. It goes without saying that an apartment with good sound proofing and bedrooms away from the roadside, is likely to offer a good night’s sleep and a productive day at work. So if you’re away from home on business, it makes sense to keep these factors in mind when choosing a serviced apartment.
Serviced apartments - for the man who has everything
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009My Dad is fortunate, or unfortunate depending how you look at it, to have a birthday and Father’s Day in the same week. Attempting to find two presents for the man who has everything is a difficult task. His requirements for electric drills, hacksaws and slippers have been well and truly met and surpassed, so this year my brother and I decided to opt for the ‘experience’, rather than a gift that will gather dust.
We booked theatre tickets, plus a night in plush serviced accommodation for the four of us (Mum came too). As Dad enjoys five-star everything, we went to town to find the crème de la crème of serviced apartments in Manchester.
Situated by the waterfront in Castlefield, some of the beautiful attributes of the serviced apartment included:-
- 42-inch plasma TV
- Free Wi-Fi and Sky TV
- On-demand music and movies
- Egyptian cotton towels – 900 thread count
- Pocket-sprung beds with memory foam
- Goose-down duvets
- Secure underground parking
From organic breakfasts to herbal teas in serviced apartments
Food is also very important to my Dad. In this particular serviced apartment a welcome basket was waiting for us which included organic bread and milk, freshly-squeezed orange juice, cereals, jams, chocolate biscuits and butter. As a big tea drinker, Dad was quick to exploit the extensive range of herbal and fruit teas which were complementary in the serviced apartment. Free-range and organic breakfasts were also available to order. As restaurant and food facilities are not always included in serviced apartments these little extras helped to take the rating up to five-star.