Serviced apartments in London: what they are and how to book the right one
Serviced apartments in London sit between a hotel and a rental flat: a private, furnished apartment with a kitchen, living space and laundry, run professionally with cleaning, linen and bills included, bookable by the night, week or month.
They exist because a hotel room stops making sense after about three nights — and a tenancy makes no sense under six months. Here's what's actually included, what it costs, and how to book without paying agency fees.
What 'serviced' actually means
The 'service' is the bundle: furnished rooms, a fitted kitchen, unlimited Wi-Fi, gas, electricity, water and council tax, weekly or mid-stay cleaning with linen changes, and someone to call when something breaks. One rate covers all of it — there is no deposit-to-landlord, no referencing and no utility setup.
Self check-in via lockbox or smart lock is standard, so arrival times are flexible. A refundable security deposit is collected with every booking and returned after checkout once the property has been checked.
Serviced flats vs hotels: the honest cost comparison
Nightly, a decent London hotel room and a serviced flat can look similar. The gap opens with length of stay and headcount: weekly and monthly rates bring the per-night cost down sharply, a kitchen removes most eating-out spend, and a family or crew shares one apartment instead of booking several rooms.
For a working week, a two-bedroom serviced flat for two colleagues typically costs less than two mid-range hotel rooms — and for a month, it isn't close.
Who short stay apartments in London suit
Contractors and project teams who need a bed each and parking rather than room service. Companies placing staff on secondment who want an invoice to the business, not a personal card claim. Families relocating or between house moves. Visitors staying a week or more who want a neighbourhood base with a kitchen.
Stays run from a couple of nights to several months. Under a week, book it like a hotel; over a month, ask for the monthly rate — it's priced differently.
How to book without agency fees
Booking directly with the operator (rather than through a listings aggregator or corporate housing agent) removes the middle layer of commission. Send your dates, the area or postcode you need, headcount and any parking or pet requirements, and a good operator comes back with a written all-in quote — often the same day.
We run serviced apartments and whole houses across London and the South East, plus Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and the towns around them, bookable directly with company invoicing for business stays.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a serviced apartment and Airbnb?
A serviced apartment is professionally operated with consistent cleaning, linen and support standards. Airbnb is a marketplace — quality depends entirely on the individual host. Many serviced apartments are also listed on Airbnb; booking direct with the operator usually costs less.
How long can you stay in a serviced apartment in London?
From a couple of nights up to several months. Stays of 28 nights or more are usually priced monthly, and longer bookings can often be extended if you give notice.
Do I pay a deposit on a serviced apartment?
Yes — a refundable security deposit is collected with every booking and returned after checkout once the property has been checked. It is a booking deposit, not a tenancy deposit, so there is no deposit-protection scheme involved.
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