Aparthotel may well be a made up word – it’s a shortened version of apartment hotel – but what isn’t trumped up are the cosy interiors and home-away-from-home vibes that accompany these chic, city-centre boltholes. Equipped with doorstep hustle and bustle, WiFi that connects faster than time ticks by and beds that’ll make you feel as if you’re in a Benson For Beds ad. So, if you need to take a time out on your humble abode, here are some humbler abodes for you to nestle in to…
Native Bankside
Last August Native Bankside threw open its doors to the public; another superb addition to the UK aparthotel operator Native, which has more than 25 properties across the UK. The venue is located amongst the bustling vibrancy of South Bank. London shines in full splendour across the River Thames, whilst tourists crowed the exterior of Shakespeare’s Globe marvelling at the history that engulfs it. Restaurants are rife, with post-work drinkers raising pints in pubs and dining out for special occasions. Yes, Native Bankside, snug in an 18th-century tea warehouse, resides amongst a real hub of activity, with the famed Borough Market just a stone’s throw away.
A stay at Native Bankside dispels all feelings of being in your own city; instead you’re nestled in a sanctuary that feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the outdoor world, with only the twinkling lights of the city, seen through marvellously large windows in your room, to propel you back to the present. Native boasts largely modern interiors and there are 75 apartments in total, each of which offer hugely cosy beds that require you to dive straight on in, movie moment fashion, and big wrap around sofas that provide all the comfort you need for a night in front of the TV, preferred tipple in hand. Native Bankside offers up the ability to cook in-room, using all of the amenities provided.
On the first floor you’ll find a pantry with various sweet and savoury treats and highlights most definitely included speedy WiFi, a light sensitive bathroom with an epic waterfall-esque shower, black-out curtains and a room so cosy we found it enduringly hard to leave.
Where: Empire Warehouse, 1, Bear Gardens, SE1 9ED
Website: www.nativeplaces.com
Rockwell East
Waldo Works and Smith & Brooke Architects are the geniuses behind the eccentric and bold interiors at Rockwell East, another Aparthotel that’s most-definitely on our radar. The apartments, which claim to be ‘so much more than a hotel room,’ combine relaxed city-centre vibes and bespoke suites with homely embellishments including Egyptian cotton sheets, Merino wool blankets, fast WiFi and a kitchen with all the crockery one needs! The 57-room Aparthotel resides in East London and boasts a tranquil base palette inspired by the patterns and colours of the sky. Food? Sorted. You can saunter across to the all day cafe and bar open from 7am – midnight each day. Here you’ll find a breakfast buffet, cocktails, brunch, dinner and all the rest of the good stuff that’ll prepare you for a day of exploring the city.
Where: Rockwell East, 99 Mansell Street, E1 8AX
Website: www.rockwelleast.com
Leman Locke
Want to stay in the creative East End? Then head to Leman Street where, in an impressive sky tower, you’ll find Leman Locke. Featuring 168 studios and one- bedroom suites, two sky meeting rooms, a gym and all -day dining spaces there’s everything you need for your stay. There’s an airy Scandi-chic feel with large airy white rooms with hints of pale greys, pinks and blues. Furniture has been exclusively designed by Grywinski + Pons including the signature L shaped sofas and the ultra-comfy Locke bed.
As well as finding a kitchen suitable for any master chef, there’s also a restaurant, Treves & Hyde for days when you just need someone else to do the cooking.
Image: Nicholas Worley
Where: 15 Leman Street, Whitechapel, E1 8EN
Website: www.lockeliving.com
Exceptional Covent Garden Suites
With a name such as Exceptional Covent Garden Suites you’d expect only the best, which is also what you get when staying in this coveted aparthotel. Located 450 yards of Arts Theatre the suites, by Sonder, range from one-bedroom suits to Presidential. Amenities include a bursting kitchen of utensils, free Wifi, incredible interiors and cosiness beyond belief. Submerged in the heart of the city you’re a 15-minute walk from Winston Churchill Statue, 150 meters from St. James’s Palace and a stone’s throw from National Gallery and Westminster Abbey. Grab your phone, fire up your Insta and make all your pals jealous as you stay amongst the finery of this oh, so exceptional venue.
Where: Covent Garden
Website: www.sonder.com
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
The Athenaeum’s Townhouse Residences are giving us all the chance to live in Mayfair without setting us back millions. Situated on a side-street close to the hotel and Green Park, the 14-bedroom pied-à-terre once belonged to MP and arts patron Henry Hope and has now been divided into one- and two-bedroom residences, all with sitting rooms and kitchenettes. Designed by the award-winning Martin Hulbert (Coworth Park, Barnsley House, Chewton Glen Treehouse and The Grove House) the residences have a quintessential English feel with eccentric touches and feature a natural palette and contrasting tones of warm amber and cool teal, large fireplaces, Gubi chairs, leather, Herringbone and deep silks and velvets.
The residences can be booked for as long as you need and whilst they might not be exactly cheap at least you won’t have to get a mortgage to live in a Mayfair townhouse.
Where: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner (0.4 miles)
Website: www.athenaeumhotel.com
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