Time away from home can be exciting, but it can always be daunting. Without many of your familiar comforts around you, it is easy to feel lost and lonely. Suddenly, you notice the little things that you usually take for granted - the can opener when you want to open a tin of food, or a fresh towel when you step out of the shower.
Fortunately, when you stay in a serviced apartment, these simple items are all provided. Generally speaking, in a city like London, a serviced apartment, often called “aparthotel”, will always serve you better than a conventional hotel accommodation. Unlike hotel rooms, London serviced apartments are a home away from home, where you can relax at the end of the day and experience some of the pleasures that you are accustomed to enjoying.
However, there are certain, additional things that you can do that will make your experience feel even more comfortable and relaxing – not just in your apartment, but in the city in general.
Familiarise yourself with your surroundings
London is a very busy city and streets can often appear confusing to navigate for visitors and residents alike. Don’t rely on the electronic navigation app on your phone – get a map. Look at it and familiarise yourself with the local area around your serviced apartment in London. Find the nearest underground tube station, bus stop, supermarket, chemist, post office and cash machine. You will always feel like a stranger if you don’t know your way around. Once you find directions to nearby amenities, you will automatically feel a sense of belonging, which will make your stay less stressful and more enjoyable. If you are traveling around in London, an underground tube map detailing the tube line services surrounding the major attractions can be of great help.
Make a point of getting to know the members of staff at the serviced apartment hotel reception desk, as they will be happy to provide you with all the local information or maps that you need to get around, as well as the valuable recommendations on restaurants and local cafes.
Buy groceries
If it’s your first time in London, then you will want to go out and experience the amazing bars and restaurants the city has to offer. However, making the effort to shop for some basic foods will not only provide you with quick and easy meals, but it will also help to make your new apartment feel like home. Whether it’s your favourite cereal or some bread and fillings to make sandwiches, you’ll benefit from having these items in your refrigerator when you get up in the morning or when you arrive home at the end of the day. In addition, if you do feel like an evening indoors, you can take advantage of the modern kitchen facilities made available to you in London serviced apartments, fully equipped with oven and stoves to enable you prepare yourself a homemade meal. So go ahead and cook yourself a lovely loaf cake to enjoy with your tea or a roast for dinner, if you fancy!
Make it personal
Finally, take the time to make your apartment personal to you, even if you are only staying for a brief amount of time. Buy your favorite flowers to put in a vase to decorate the living area, or a cheap pair of speakers that you can connect to your laptop, in order to play your favourite music. You can also buy a collection of DVDs of your choice to enjoy a movie-night in your room on a flat screen TV and DVD player often provided in serviced apartments in London. Chat to friends and family on Skype and maintain other activities that are usually part of your routine.
Exploring the world’s greatest city can be a wonderful opportunity - engaging with new situations and meeting new people. Following these simple steps to make your serviced apartment feel homely will help to enrich your time in London and make it a memorable experience.
