HERE TO STAY

While there’s no place like home, serviced apartments come close. Comfort, the ability to cook for yourself and flexibility in terms of length of stay – not to mention reasonable prices – make this style of living particularly tempting to regular travellers.

The sector is thriving, somewhat thanks to a shift towards more inviting design-led properties. The UK is a prime market, representing a third of European expansion; more than 7,500 apartments are planned for the next four years, mainly in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cambridge.

The “bleisure” trend continues, with business travellers adding a weekend to their trips or bringing family – options for which serviced apartments are particularly suited. Alongside this is a rise in overseas leisure visitors thanks to the weaker pound. Providers are introducing lifestyle-orientated sub-brands to attract both types of consumer.

Saco’s design-focused Locke aparthotels, for instance, bring chic living to London, Manchester and Edinburgh, while Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity – named after Oscar Wilde and “designed to entice and amuse” –