The Advantages of Corporate Accommodations

Business-related travel has become more and more common over the last decade, thanks in part to globalisation. It’s possible for companies to have international partners, suppliers, stakeholders, and consumers--and for managers to need to fly to another part of the world to discuss a potential business venture or check on a project. 

In the past, the typical accommodations provided to corporate personnel are hotels. This is a good option if you only plan to stay for a couple of days, but it’s not unheard-of for a business trip to last for weeks, or even months. For longer stays, a hotel room is not cost-effective solution and the hotel environment does not provide the homey feel that you would crave for if you’ve been far away from your family for such a long time. The better option is to book corporate accommodations like apartments to let. 

A Survival Guide to Checking if a Hotel is Good Enough For The Boss

In every company, there’s an unwritten rule: the boss must be happy. This applies both to greater corporate objectives like achieving sales targets, to small details like making sure that he gets the most comfortable accommodations during his next business trip. If he hates the accommodations, or has a hard time getting around, or worst of all, can’t get a decent night’s sleep, he’ll chew out the HR personnel or secretary who arranged it: “if you can’t get a simple business trip right, how can I trust you to manage bigger things?” 

However, your boss’ comfort is not the only factor. You have to consider the costs, and the need to spend as efficiently as possible, given the budget.  Is there such a thing as affordable luxury? This survival can help you manage all the aspects of finding accommodations for your boss.

Spotlight on Old Spitalfields Market: our favourite London Market

When it comes to markets in London, Boutique London Lets knows what's what. London is world famous for it’s retail hotspots – you’ve got Bond Street, Oxford Street and King’s Road all within easy reach of each other and Westfield Stratford and Shepherd’s Bush dominating either end of the city. On top of the high street names, London boasts an impressive array of street markets… but you needn’t hop from one to the other – Old Spitalfields market offers you everything you could possibly want. A dream come true for collectors and shoppers alike.

Old Spitalfields Market (Photo Credit: Stephen McKay)

The market is open seven days a week, offering shoppers something different each day – BLL gives you the lowdown on the four main days of Shopping:

Thursday offers an eclectic mix of antiques and collectables, including ceramics, antiquarian books, vintage fashion and jewellery, retro, militaria and old vinyl – there is so much to root through, you’ll be sure to pick up some gems!

If it’s rare and collectible vinyls that you’re looking for, you can visit the Old Record Fair that joins the market on the first Friday of every month. Otherwise, Friday’s at Spitalfields market are a hub for clothes and art lovers alike.

On Saturdays, you can expect themed markets, stocked by vintage clothes collectors as well as start up labels whilst Sundays offer a mish mash of items with something for all the family.

Only five minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station, Old Spitalfields Market is in easy reach of the Boutique London Lets apartments situated in the city and is only a short walk away from Shoreditch High Street and Hoxton overground stations. Don’t spend your time in London on the high street: discover the eccentricities of Old Spitalfields Market and come across some fabulous, one of a kind pieces, tucked away just to the east of the City of London.

Wall Murals: An Interesting Alternative to the London Art Scene.

London is a melting pot of innovation and design and undoubtedly the number one spot in Europe for alternative tourism. London artists have used the walls of the city as an urban canvas, to tell and retell the stories of local residents: come with Boutique London Lets on a tour down the streets of Brixton, Soho and Kilburn and spot the London murals, giving an interesting and honest portrayal of London life.

We begin our journey in Kilburn to view the largest permanent public graffiti art mural ever commissioned in the UK. The 300m2 mural was put together by the Signal Project in 2004 and has come to represent and define the area, reflecting its vast multiculturalism and historic roots, with subtle references to local themes – it is clear that the local community had some say in the creative process.  You can spot images of people moving between the city and the countryside, as well as famous locals and fanciful creatures. Drop by Kilburn Station (Jubilee Line) to see this incredible piece of London design.

Kilburn Mural, London

Next up, we are spoiled by the colourful designs that are painted upon the walls of Brixton. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, and never has this been more fitting. Many of these murals were painted in the aftermath of the Brixton riots of 1981, and portray ideas relating to the politics of the time and are considered a representation of the local community. The London Mural Preservation Society recently funded a restoration project, to repair the Brixton murals and ensure their conservation.  The murals of Brixton are all within walking distance of each other and are well worth a visit, should you wish to experience London as it is to the local community.

The recently renovated Brixton Windmill mural in Brixton, London

Our last stop brings us to Carnaby Street and the Spirit of Soho, designed to document the A to Z of life in Soho. The image boasts a bizarre collection of images to represent a potted history and geography of Soho – an array of fruit and vegetables, next to shifty bunch of men trying to sneak a peek up the skirt of a woman, next to images of local hotspots and residents. Stop off at Oxford Street Station (Bakerloo and Victoria Line) to see this London artwork.

The Spirit of Soho, off Carnaby Street, London

London boasts an incredible array of urban art works, all of which can be viewed with the tap of an Oyster Card. All of the London murals featured in this post are within easy reach of all Boutique London Lets apartments - just hop on the tube and see them for yourselves. Get to know London and what it means to locals - not something you'll find in a guidebook!

The cheeky side of London 2012

We all know the Olympic Games are all about having fun, watching some amazing athletes and supporting your country. But over the past few weeks some Londoners have taken it upon themselves to have a cheeky joke at London 2012's expense. Everyone's entitled to their opinion..

1. Plenty of designers have made alternative Olympics posters, we love the women's boxing one featuring Her Majesty by Janelle Dagres – 2012 is the first time women's boxing has made it into the Games. See more posters at KathyKaven's AnotherDesignBlog.

2. YouTube video (trouble) maker Cassette Boy has stitched together clips of London Mayor Boris Johnson's history TV programmes to make an embarrassing summary of the Games as a big mess full of too much advertising. It's very cleverly done but perhaps a bit too pessimistic we feel. Watch the full video on YouTube here.

3. Speaking of branding, lots of people have taken to making ads or posters that directly contravene Lord Coe's protection of the big sponsors right to be seen around the Olympic Park – sponsors like Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Samsung. Some of them are so silly it'd be a shame to take them down!

Top Tips for London 2012 – how to survive the London Olympics.

Whether you’re a Londoner by birth or by heart, don’t let the Games get you down. Boutique London Lets have put together a list of handy tips to keep you smiling during the Olympics, as well as information regarding the best way to plan your journey. The Olympics needn’t be a burden or a hassle – let Boutique London Lets guide you, stress free through the most exciting event of the year!

Get Ahead of the Games with Barclay's Cycle Hire (Photo Credit: Charlotte Gilhoody)

London is expecting to host 5.3 million visitors during August and September, and our world famous transport system is set to be jam packed full of spectators, tourists and commuters. Transport for London are working hard to provide an efficient service, and have developed getaheadofthegames.com – make use of the interactive map to spot highlight the worst routes at a specific time; in general, public transport will be especially busy at the beginning and end of sporting sessions.

If you have booked to see an event, it is important to remember that there will be little or no parking at Olympic venues – public transport is undoubtedly your best option. Transport for London has a handy journey-planning tool to cut down travel time and make your movements across the city as easy as possible.

Sign up for free travel alerts on the Transport for London website – these will inform you of any delays upon the Tube or Docklands Light Railway service.


Whilst public transport is the recommended option, walk whenever possible. The Mayor of London has recently introduced a bicycle hire system, to ease pressure on the transport system and get people moving! Although demand for the Barclay’s bicycle hire will be high, hire stations may be close to events, and should cut down your overall journey time.


For detailed information on all Olympic athletes, sports and venues, as well as information regarding the stations to avoid, have a look at London 2012, the official London 2012 Olympic website.


Get on social media! Follow @GAOTG for the latest tweets on transport across London and the UK during the Games.

Get on Public Tranport this Summer! (Photo Credit: The Poke).

The London 2012 Olympic Games are the biggest thing to happen to the capital in years. Everyone wants to be a part of it, and it is something to be shared and experienced by all. If you had planned to travel down to London for the city break of a lifetime but haven’t quite sorted your accommodation, check out the luxury and well priced apartments Boutique London Lets has to offer: we provide a luxury service at a low cost in some of the most vibrant locations across the city. 

Have a look at our article on the differences between the Olympics of 1948 and the Olympics of 2012 – you’ll be surprised to hear how far we’ve come since then! 

Outdoor Movie Screenings in London - Experience Your Favourite Film Against a Unique Urban Backdrop.

Make the most of the balmy summer evenings and enjoy one of London’s outdoor movies in a unique urban setting.

Head east for the best London has to offer in outdoor screenings. With screenings five times a week, you will be sure to find something to suit your taste – the Queen of Hoxton offers an impressive selection of cult classics and Hollywood favourites… no wonder it’s a top choice for film buffs. Spend the day lounging on the lawny terrace with a glass of pimms, until the sun sets upon an urban backdrop. Grab a beer and a blanket and experience your favourite film from this unique urban setting. Wireless headphones are handed out, just to make sure you don’t miss anything. Buy tickets online or at the on-site box office, open from 8.30pm to 9.30pm May-August for £10; doors open at 8.30 and the film begins after 9pm when the sun fully sets.

Otherwise, check out Dalston Roof Park for some great outdoor screenings. Just on from Dalston Kingsland overground station is the Print House, home to Dalston Roof Park and its cultural offerings. Head upstairs to find a pop up bar, and an unrivalled summer programme, including productions from the Arcola theatre, outdoor film screenings and gigs as well as barbeques organized by local restaurants and foodies. Tickets are £10 on the door, or £7 when bought in advance – it’s a good idea to book early as the Midsummer Night Screenings are very popular amongst those in the know.

Dalston Roof Park

Every year, Film Four hosts a spectacular series of outdoor screenings at the beautiful Somerset House – and this year is especially brilliant. Highlights include the UK premiere of Walter Salles’s adaption of the beat classic, ‘On The Road’, a mont before it opens for general release. You can also enjoy ‘Paris, Texas’, ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘Pretty in Pink’ and the latest film from the cult director Gaspar Noe, ‘Enter the Void’. Be sure to book early as tickets sell out like hot cakes – and for good reason – this is the highlight of every filmie’s summer! A cinematic masterpiece in a stunning setting… what more could you want? Bring a picnic and something to keep you warm when the sun starts to set. Tickets are priced between £14.50 and £22.50 and must be booked in advance.

Film Four Summer Screen at Somerset House, The Strand.

For something extra special, try the Luna Cinema and its pop up screens in some of the country’s most beautiful locations. Screens are dotted around London and the surrounding counties – try Leeds Castle in Kent for ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ or Battersea Park for a showing of ‘Back to the Future’; Kensington Palace for ‘The King’s Speech’ or Dulwich Park for ‘The Artist’. An outdoor screening at one of the Luna Cinema’s pop up screen will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Buy tickets online.

Luna Cinema: Pop up Screen by Tower Bridge. (Photo Credit: Michael Wharley)

Boutique London Lets have a number of fabulous apartments, all in prime locations across London. If you fancy doing something a little different with your summer evening, pop along to one of these outdoor movie screenings and make the most of the unique setting – our apartments in the West End are especially well located for outdoor viewing!

Up, Up and Away! Spectacular views of East London from the new London Cable Car.

All aboard, the new London cable car! 2012 is the year of innovation in the capital, as the UK’s first urban cable car opens to the public. London is famous for its transportation, in particular the iconic underground logo; the Thames cable car offers the London transport system something a little bit different, just in time for the Olympics.

The UK's first cable car takes off just in time for the Olympics. (Photo Credit: Getty Images).

Sponsored by Emirates Air Line, the new London cable car transports Londoners one kilometre across the River Thames, offering a connecting service between two newly constructed terminals at Greenwich Peninsula by the O2 and the Royal Docks, beside the ExCeL conference centre. The Cable Car will be of great benefit during the 2012 Olympic Games and it is hoped that it will ease pressure on the London transport system as an extra 1 million enter the capital. There are 34 cabins, transporting 2,500 people per hour, travelling at an incredible 90 meters above ground level – this is the equivalent of 30 double decker buses at full capacity! Emirates, offering £36million of the total £60million cost, largely funded the project – they retain the legal retain rights over the name for the next ten years and will have their name incorporated onto London tube maps. Journeys made during peak hours will take five minutes, whilst off peak journeys will take ten minutes at a cost of £3.60 on an Oyster Card or £16 for ten journeys.

Boris Johnson, our Mayor of London has heralded the new urban cable car as “a stunning addition to London’s transport network, providing a much-needed new connection across the Thames” – upon the launch of the service, Johnson stated that his trip across the Thames made him feel like Yuri Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut. It is understood that the Thames cable car is the first step in a scheme to revive the areas it covers, providing hundreds of jobs and stimulating growth over the next ten years.

Boris Johnson discussing the new Thames Cable Car.

Whilst the London Cable Car offers a new and exciting means of transport, Boris Johnson hasdescribed the view as “staggeringly beautiful”.  On the northward journey, expect views of London City Airport, Royal Victoria Dock and the Thames Barrier. The journey back down south is what you should be looking forward to though: passengers can expect spectacular views of the O2, Canary Wharf, the City, Greenwich and the Shard, all set out upon an urban canvas. So not only is the Thames Cable Car a viable and useful means of transport - it is an opportunity for Londoners and visitors alike to experience 360-degree views of the capital at a low cost.

The Emirates Cable Car opened for service on the 28th June 2012, just in time for the Olympics – it will serve three venues south of the river, as well as offering a link to the Olympic Park in the north. If you’re planning on spending the summer in London, have a look at Boutique London Lets properties in the Docklands area – a great last minute rental opportunity for London 2012 Olympics.

London 1948 to London 2012 Olympics

London last hosted the Olympics in 1948... how far have we come? 

Cost:

1948 – £732,000

2012 - £9.3bn

Athletes:

1948 – 4,104

2012 – 10,500

Competing Nations:

1948 – 59 nations sent athletes to London, with fourteen making their first official appearance. These included British Guiana, Burma, Ceylon, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Korea, Lebanon, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. 1948 was the first year in which the Philippines, India and Pakistan competed as independent nations. Germany and Japan, as defeated powers were not permitted to send athletes to participate in the games, but after the signing of an armistice in 1943, Italy was allowed to compete. The Soviet Union decided not to send athletes over, at risk of losing to the United States.

2012 – This year, 216 nations are competing in the Olympic games.

London Olympics 1948 (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Sports:

1948 – 17

2012 - 26

Events:

1948 - 136

2012 - 302

Cost of Standing Ticket (athletics):

1948 – 3s 6d (17.5p)

2012 - £202

Television Viewers:

1948 – 500,000 across 50 miles of London; altogether there were 64 hours of programming.

2012 - 5,000 hours of love coverage will be shown in more than 200 countries to an estimated audience of up to 4 billion.

Olympic Torch Relay:

1948 – The torch relay lasted less than one day, making its way from Dover to Wembley Stadium.

2012 – This year’s relay began on ­­­18^th May, and will culminate after 70 days at the official opening ceremony. It has made 1,019 stops and has been carried by 8,000 runners.

London Olympic Games 1948 (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Venues:

1948 – Due to financial and time constrictions, it was understood that there was no need to build any new venues – tracks were simply adapted. Wembley Stadium was the center point of the games, with the 8,000 capacity Empire pool in Wembley hosting all aqua and boxing events – they simply covered the swimming pool and put a boxing arena on top of it. – how adaptable! There was no such thing as an Olympic Village – competitors were housed in canvas tents in Richmond and travelled to the venues by bus.

2012 – 2012 has seen the building of the Olympic Park and the Olympic Village in Stratford. Despite the higher budget, organizers are still thinking green: waste water that used to clean the swimming pools at the Aquatic Center within the Olympic Park is also used to flush the toilets at the 17,500 seater arena.

Wembley Stadium, London Olympic Games 1948 (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Nutrition/Training:

1948 – Limited training. Olympic athletes had a slightly increased rations – the Royal Naval College in Greenwich gave their athletes eggs for breakfast but that was about it! London was going through tough times in 1948 and as such, there was no special diet – one ate what one had.

2012 – Athletes are provided with state of the art equipment, professional nutritionists and purpose built training facilities. Multiple training sessions a day and a very strict diet.

Planning time:

1948 – 18 months, on a budget of £743,000.

2012 – London won the Olympic bid on 6^th July 2005 and held their first board meeting on 3^rd October 2005.

London Olympics 2012, Olympic Village (Photo Credit: EU Infrastructure)

There is no doubt that London is the place to be this summer! So if you're heading down to London for the Olympic Games, think about Boutique London Lets for a centrally located serviced apartment. Look to Boutique London Lets for your last minute olympic apartment. Also, have a look at our post on Interesting Facts about the Olympic Games in 2012 - a must read!

    

Play Me, I'm Yours!

Maestro! As part of the 50^th anniversary of the City of London festival, ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ offers Londoners the chance to show off their nimble fingers as fifty street pianos are scattered across London town.

Initially commissioned in Birmingham in 2008, ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ has taken off at lightning speeds and set off on a musical journey across the world. The project enters its fourth year in London and will stay on our streets until the 13^th July 2012. UK artist Luke Jerram offers city dwellers the chance to contribute to the sights and sounds of London, as the musical give their fingers to the public. Jerram states that these street pianos are intended to inspire Londoners to engage with their city, allowing for increased self-expression and community spirit. Transporting hundreds of second hand pianos to areas in which musical instruments are not common place, he offers a gift to the community that will be valued on both a personal and social level. As they say - one man’s rubbish is another man’s gold!

So if you fancy a tinker, locate your nearest street piano today and start tickling those ivories! City of London Festival has set up a website for Londoners and tourists to promote their street performances and organize events to make the most of these urban pianos. You can also have a look at photos and video performances, if you need a bit of inspiration.

            

Roll out the red carpet – we've been shortlisted for a Re:locate magazine Award

We've had some really exciting news recently – Boutique London Lets has been shortlisted for Best Property Provider or Solution at the Re:locate magazine awards. 

The Awards are the fifth decided by the magazine and are designed to support excellence in relocation. If you want to see details of our corporate apartments and executive housing, just visit our website.

The overall winner will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Institute of Directors in central London on May 10th.
Our competition at the Re:locate awards includes big players in the accommodation industry so we're thrilled that so many people have chosen and recommended our 'boutique' offering.

Spotlight on Waterloo apartments

 Did you know we have eleven apartments and one penthouse apartment in Waterloo? We think this location just south of the river is so fantastic that we wanted more of our Boutique London Lets guests to be able to stay here.

All our standard apartments in our building in Waterloo come with the luxury of two double bedrooms and two bathrooms so it's basically like you and your family are staying in a hotel, with a few added home luxuries like a kitchen and living and dining area. Plus there's the potential to sleep 6 guests from just £156 a night.

And if that's not enough glamour and luxury, just wait till you see the Penthouse! From £180 a night you get two double bedrooms with Queen beds and three bathrooms (two are en suite). And you could happily squeeze eight people in here, which isn't much over £20 a head. The 2000 sq ft Penthouse spans a whole floor and has two balconies for iconic views of the London Eye and surrounding Waterloo area.

Phew, better get booking before we beat you to it...

Boutique London Lets apartments still available for the 2012 Olympics

We still have tons of apartments available this July, August and September 2012 during the Olympics and Paralympics.

And if you need any persuasion to visit us between 5th July 2012 and 15th September 2012, check out our Olympic guide. We've got the lowdown on the Games themselves, the Paralympics, the Olympic 2012 venues and a transport guide.

If that's not enough to whet your appetite for this summer's festivities,  there's information on what else you can do at the Olympic Park and also what events are happening around London at the same time.

Book now at boutiquelondonlets.com.

Our London Penthouses

If you want a stunning view of London and to feel king of the castle at the same time, you'll accept nothing less than a penthouse apartment.

We've now got a range of sky-high apartments - including our Waterloo Penthouse (which spans the entire top floor) and Southwark Penthouse. So if you deserve nothing but the best, check out our amazing deals now.

New year's Travel Resolutions

Here's our suggestions for your New Year's travel resolutions, get rid of those bad travel habits now and have a great 2012 filled with adventure without the usual headaches..

1. Don't stick to cliched attractions and locations. Some of our best apartment deals can be found slightly out of the centre of London – but still within easy travelling distance via tube or bus. Plus you get to see a whole other side to London. Try our Dockside Canary Wharf apartments, Sienna apartments in Farringdon or our Thamesview apartments in Vauxhall.

Then again, it might surprise you that our Victoria apartments are the cheapest right now, and right next door to the Queen!

2. Try before you buy. Don't take our word for it, check out the flatplans, 360 degree videos on YouTube and images of all Boutique London Lets apartments so you know exactly where you'll be staying when you arrive in London. Plus you can see guest feedback on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

3. Apartments can be a better choice than hotels. Now, of course we'd say that but here's some food for thought: if you want to save money on eating out or there's 3/4 guests - for instance for families - apartments can save you money twice over compared to hotels in the same location.

You wouldn't want to spend all your time eating in your hotel anyway, would you? Plus apartments can offer you more freedom and make you feel more at home straightaway.

4. Make your voice heard. Reviews of hotels, apartments and tourist services are essential aren't they? We can't remember the last time we booked anything without consulting a review written by a real life guest. So check out ours on our guest reviews page and please do add your own via the website or our social media channels – we always love to hear from our guests.

Southwark apartments and Southwark Penthouse – caught on camera

You might have noticed that we've got even more apartments south of the river now. If not, here's two video treats of the six new Southwark apartments and the Southwark Penthouse - both in easy reach of London Bridge, Borough Market, The Old Vic, the South Bank and the West End.

London Diary – October

 
Jay Jopling has opened up a third White Cube gallery in Bermondsey Street, Southwark and it's our hot pick for art in October. The first exhibition runs until 26 November in the South Galleries of the 1.7 acre space and it's entitled Structure and Absence – a study of contemporary abstraction.

Don't miss the Autumn Cheese and Wine Festival this weekend at Southbank Centre Square for tastings, talks and events. We can't resist, and we're sure you won't be able to either.

Both these events are really close to all our Southwark apartments so you won't have to fight the underground crowds.

The Riverside Apartment

The Waterloo Green apartment

Day trips from London – Oxford

Fed up of the bright lights of London? Head to Paddington station and you can be in Oxford in just over an hour. I visited for the first time this weekend and couldn't believe how different it felt from the capital. 

We recommend:

• A Full English breakfast at Coco's hotel by the train station.
• A stroll around the beautiful Oxford University buildings, Venetian inspired walkways and parks
• An hour's punting (boating) on the river complete with Marks and Spencers prosecco and paper cups – don't miss this, I'm sure it has medicinal qualities and must be good for the soul
• Two courses and a coffee for £10.50 between 6 and 7pm at the French bistro Pierre Victoire, Little Clarendon Street, Jericho
• Chorizo, warm bread and delicious sweet white wines at the relaxed food and wine bar Bottega, Walton Street 

Watch out for:

•  The rude staff who look after the punts outside the Head of the River pub – if you can, go elsewhere to hire your punt or rowing boat as you might be rushed like we were
• Stinging nettles on the otherwise heavenly grass – this is the English countryside after all 
• The Bridge – this area of Oxford can get very rowdy and police are usually present on a Saturday night. We even saw a confused-looking youth dragging a bollard, covered in dirt, across the road.

Take your pick of our luxurious London apartments as a base for exploring gorgeous areas like Oxford. You won't regret it.