25 of the best serviced apartments in London

Times

22-05-2025

Once you've experienced the convenience and space of a serviced apartment, it's hard to be swayed elsewhere. These handy residences remove the hassle of last-minute cancellation or hard-to-reach hosts that can sometimes come with an Airbnb and are typically cheaper and better equipped than any hotel room. Most have seamless check-in systems and essential long-stay amenities such as washing machines and ovens, plus there are plush perks in some, from high-end pools to intimate cocktail bars. Best of all, deals can be found if you're looking for a longer stay, bringing the cost down further. We've scoured the capital to find the pieds-à-terre in prime locations worth making your home from home on your next city break. These are the best serviced apartments in London.
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££ | RESTAURANT | KITCHENETTE | GYM | SPA | Best for a stay with character
This high-end Kensington crash pad is the perfect combination of class and character. The decadent public areas include a bar and restaurant — bold, buzzy spaces with plush jewel-toned furnishings and a line-up of DJs and live jazz. Fun wallpapers from armadillo prints to owl and monkey illustrations lend a playful touch. A spa offers massages and sound baths, plus a vitality pool. The comfortable studios and apartments themselves, best suited to couples, are designed to make guests feel at home whether the stay is for one night or months at a time, and most have kitchenettes equipped with good-sized fridge-freezers, ovens and coffee machines.£ | RESTAURANT | COOKING FACILITIES | Best for dining and nightlife options
Tucked down a quiet road that's still just moments from the bustle of Liverpool Street's bars and restaurants, this aparthotel feels like something worth keeping secret. Downstairs, there's a stylish bar with burnt-orange banquette seating and quirky artworks by local artists that transforms into a calm space for morning coffee and pastries. You'll also find a shop kitted out with essentials like snacks and toothpaste, as well as a handy laundry room. There are more fun touches upstairs in its studios and one-bedroom apartments: mint-green Smeg kettles and toasters, bags of English breakfast and peppermint from Brew Tea Co, and — in the best rooms — terraces overlooking the rooftops of east London.££ | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for luxury touchesThe Cheval group owns the swankiest collection of apartments in the capital and Phoenix House is one of its top-tier properties. The 34 studios and apartments are pin-drop quiet havens packed with luxury touches: monochrome all-marble bathrooms, kitchens with every Bosche appliance you could possibly need, and bedrooms with bespoke artwork and endless wardrobe space. Other handy touches include a 24-hour reception where staff will help with any requests, and a gym that opens at 5am for any early risers. Stays put you a convenient three-minute walk from Sloane Square.£ | CAFÉ | KITCHENETTE | GYM | Best for a sustainable stayThere are few places you'll feel smugger calling home than the UK's first hometel, a concept that aims to roll everything we love about Airbnb, boutique hotels and serviced apartments into one offering. Tucked into a quiet corner of leafy Chiswick, Room2's quirky studios have plenty of personality with arty throws and vintage-looking furniture that aims to celebrate local craftsmanship. Rooms range from snug to suites; opt for the latter if it's a kitchenette you need ⁠— though if you'd rather leave the cooking to someone else, there's a bright, plant-filled café and bar on site. One night counts as a 24-hour stay so there's no rush to check out in the morning, and there are plenty of green points up for grabs: Room2 is forecast to use 89 per cent less energy than other typical UK hotels. Those seeking somewhere more central will be happy to hear there's a smaller sister hotel in Hammersmith.£££ | KITCHEN | Best for long stays When does a hotel become a home? You'll find the answer at this cool set of studios in a quiet corner of Bermondsey, where the average guest stays for 14 months. Inside what was once a Jacob's biscuit factory are 28 mini abodes with thoughtful touches like a Hypnos mattress, natural smellies in the shower and olive oil in the kitchenette. Should you want them, there are plenty of opportunities to be social too: the basement has been transformed into a communal space with a huge kitchen, plus a handy laundry room with Smeg washer-dryers, and there's an outdoor terrace to spill out onto on warm summer nights. Location-wise you're within easy walking distance of London Bridge.££ | RESTAURANT | KITCHENETTE | GYM | POOL | Best for a backstoryIf walls could talk you'd never want to leave this grade II listed former town hall. Its past is full of drama and its Edwardian council chambers — where guests can now get married — and ballot boxes and huge safes dotted along the marble-clad halls are constant reminders of its former life. Its present is just as exciting: it often doubles as a film set and you'll recognise parts from Killing Eve and Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. As for your digs? Studios look straight out of a show home with bold colour palettes, velvet sofas and maisonette bedrooms. The vast majority of studios have kitchenettes with welcome treats such as silk teabags and macarons. Bring your swimwear to do some lengths in the gorgeous 15m heated pool or work up a sweat in the fully equipped gym — and stay on a Sunday for a 15-minute stroll to Columbia Road flower market.£ | COOKING FACILITIES | Best for a great locationAptel East's simplistic decor won't blow you away, but it's clean, compact and will be a handy haven after hours. Expect fluffy towels, an extra-large bed, microwave, table and a 43' TV in each room. Self-service tablets save time when it comes to checking in and checking out and, should you need it, there's a 24-hour concierge available to help out with any requests. Location-wise, it's hard to beat: you're on the doorstep of the City, with the likes of Spitalfields, Shoreditch and Tower Bridge all walking distance.£ | KITCHEN | Best for digital nomads There's space for work and play here: the LABS Collective downstairs is a buzzy co-working space, while upstairs are 169 Scandi-style apartments with skyline-facing balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, free wi-fi and plenty of lounge space to kick back in. Fitted kitchens come in each apartment, be it a three-bed or one-bed, and you're in striking distance of the shops of Camden High Street or the silence of Regent's Canal, perfect for post-work strolls.£ | RESTAURANT | GYM | Best for hip young thingsThe area just east of the Square Mile boundary in Aldgate has changed beyond recognition in recent years. What was once an uneasy junction between the high-rises of the City and the curry houses of Commercial Road has risen from the ashes as fancy flats, hospitality offerings and slick office space. One such new-build is Buckle Street Studios, that 21st-century conceit of aparthotel-slash-co-working space, designed by New York-based Grzywinski+Pons. The interiors of the (compact) rooms are faintly Japanese in feel, all soft pastels, blonde wood, metal accents and big squashy sofas; while neutral ceramic bud vases and mirrors dot surfaces. In the most Gen Z way, the lobby has glass vitrines full of knick-knacks that passes as a 'concept store', and there's a vegan restaurant and coffee bar opposite in Leman Locke, another of the brand's apartment blocks. It's ideal for City workers who want something a bit edgier than the usual business hotel — and it's cheap, too.£££ | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for movie nights
There's plenty to impress at this plush pad in one of the slickest corners of the city. Stream your favourite shows at the private cinema downstairs, work up a sweat in the fancy gym kitted out with Precor equipment and power up your phone with the wireless bedside charging ports that double up as speakers. Full-size L'Occitane products and underfloor heating add to the luxe touches in the bathroom while living rooms come with stylish velvet sofas, stacks of coffee-table books and huge TVs. Kitchens are kitted out with top-of-the-range appliances including a washing machine and dryer — though a laundry service is available throughout the week. Stays here put you in striking distance of some of London's best museums and restaurants and, should you wish to bring your car, there's secure underground parking for an extra fee. £ | KITCHEN | Best for a quiet baseA stay in sleepy Greenwich can bring respite from a busy day at work in the City, but you're by no means far away from the action should you want it. These apartments are a five-minute walk to Greenwich railway station, and an eight-minute train ride to London Bridge. Each has an open-plan kitchen and the 24-hour reception gives you the flexibility to come back when you need — the town centre is just a 15-minute stroll away. Should you want to stay indoors, there's a TV in your room and snack-filled vending machines in reception.
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£££ | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for walks in the park
These slick five-star apartments have one of London's most coveted postcodes, putting you in striking distance of Regent's Park and Lord's Cricket Ground. Each provides comfortable luxury: white marble floors, huge TVs and balconies. The open-plan kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need including a washer-dryer and a cooker along with a living area that comes with a good-sized table should you want to dine in. There are plenty of delis and a Tesco Express within easy walking distance. £££ | KITCHEN | Best for theatregoersPlump for these five-star mini-palaces if you want to count the King as a neighbour. Buckingham Palace is just down the road, as is the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum. There are six floors of slick apartments here, all dressed in calm, neutral colours and bold artwork, along with kitchens and private laundry facilities. The smallest apartments are anything but petite with king-size beds and 47 sq m to kick back in. In-room spa treatments are available should you fancy a facial and there's a Nespresso machine and complimentary breakfast basket for when you rise.£ | BAR | COOKING FACILITIES | GYM | Best for floor-to-ceiling viewsA pink sofa and a wall full of quirky artwork ensures this is likely to be the most Instagrammable apartment in London, while floor-to-ceiling windows present your perch to look out over the east end. There's a 24/7 concierge, a bar, and a café for those wanting cappuccinos and croissants. A dishwasher, microwave and fridge are handy additions for those dining in. If you want to eat out there are plenty of options — Spitalfields market is a ten-minute walk away.£ | GYM | Best for City slickersIt's impossible to miss this 75-storey tower which houses 162 Thames-facing apartments over ten floors — it's Europe's tallest residential block. It's pretty striking from the inside, too. Your new home from home brings you access to incredible views of the capital from a plush sky lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, a gym with equally memorable vistas, plenty of co-working space, a yoga studio and even a golf simulator. Little ones are welcome too — and they'll love letting off steam in the indoor garden. Rooms are decked out in calming forest greens, soft fabrics, and some come with enclosed balconies so you can take in the sunset no matter the weather. £ | RESTAURANT | Best for a good night's sleepDao is an aparthotel that aims to go one step further for guests with the chance to tailor stays to suit the mood in its 74 apartments — the best of which come with terraces. Those ready to relax can choose between the likes of sweat blankets to help the body detox and CBD oils to create the perfect night's sleep, while spin bikes can be placed in rooms for those more interested in taking things up a notch. Rooms are simple in their design but have all you need, and there is a free laundry room for guests. Shoppers will be happy to find Westfield is a five-minute walk away and any four-legged friends you bring along will have their tails wagging at the complimentary treats, bowls and toys (a £100 anti-allergy cleaning fee applies).
££ | RESTAURANT | KITCHENETTE | GYM | Best for things to do With a bed looking over the Thames (bang opposite Tate Modern) and a dinky kitchenette, it's easy to sip a cup of tea watching mudlarkers scouring the shore for treasures while pretending you now live permanently in a slick studio apartment with one of the best views in London. Pastel rooms and Scandi furnishings mean you won't want to leave, but downstairs there's a cool co-working space, gym, restaurant and weekly timetable that includes pottery sessions and yoga classes.£££ | KITCHEN | Best for a prime locationThis red-brick Victorian mews house has one of the most prestigious postcodes in the capital with Marble Arch and Hyde Park within easy strolling distance. Despite how central it is, the 11 apartments are pin-drop quiet with king-size beds and thick-pile carpets keeping things cosy inside. Decor is plain with a mix of cream and navy furnishings and all apartments, unusually, have a bath as well as a shower. Kitchens, meanwhile, have Dualit appliances including an oven with a hob, fridge-freezer, washer-dryer and dishwasher (cleaning tablets are handily provided). £ | RESTAURANT | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for a retro feelStep back into the swinging Sixties with a stay at these art deco-themed studios and apartments in the west of the city. Retro curved velvet sofas, tasseled light shades, bold burnt-orange walls and forest-green kitchen units all work together to create a space that manages to be both stylish and super convenient thanks to handy touches such as full-length mirrors, banquette seating and slick Smeg appliances. Extended stays are made easier with a gym, yoga studio and a laundry room, and guests are within walking distance of some of London's best museums: the V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Design Museum. The open-plan ground-floor space continues the Sixties glamour with a curved bar and a conservatory that switches between a buzzy co-working space by day and a cocktail spot at night.££ | RESTAURANT | COOKING FACILITIES | GYM | Best for foodiesTucked into a quiet side street, this set of apartments provides a welcome pocket of peace amongst the buzz of Bermondsey Street's bars and restaurants (Angela Hartnett's Café Murano is just next door and José Pizarro's round the corner, if you're wondering what to do for dinner). Guests are well positioned to walk to Borough Market and the Shard, both reachable on foot in under 15 minutes, and have all they need to stay for a few days or longer with a gym, basement laundry and a huge communal lounge to kick back in. Rooms have kitchenettes that include dishwashers and microwave ovens, along with a Nespresso machine. The golden ticket? A huge hot and cold buffet breakfast is included with each stay.££ | RESTAURANT | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for a private gardenDespite being a short walk from the slick boutiques of Sloane Square, 11 Cadogan Gardens has a real residential feel, set over a string of four classic red-brick Chelsea townhouses built in the 19th century by Lord Chelsea. The six apartments, in a separate house to the rest of the hotel, continue that home-from-home feel with everything you need to get comfortable: Hypnos beds, marble-clad bathrooms, kitchens packed with high-end appliances and a welcome basket stocked with freshly baked bread and pastries. The real treat here is what makes this stay unique: its private garden, which provides a secret pocket of green for guests to kick back in.£££ | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for shopping spreesYou're steps away from the shops of Oxford Street with a stay at this aparthotel built in the former home of Guy Burgess who was a British diplomat and Soviet double agent. He'd likely approve of the interiors today: apartments are monochrome and masculine with black and white prints, soft grey furnishing and fun, abstract lighting. Each has a living space and kitchen complete with high-end appliances and there's free access to a gym over the road. Opt for apartment four to bag a terrace; perfect for sunny days when you want to eat alfresco, tucked away from the hustle and bustle.££ | RESTAURANT | KITCHEN | Best for a building with historyRewind to the 14th century and this building, steps from St Paul's, was where the king's state and ceremonial robes were once kept alongside prized possessions such as royal jewels and armour. It's remained a stylish place to stay to this day; the 92 apartments, set over seven Georgian townhouses named after fashion and textile designers, could pass as rooms in a posh boutique hotel with chintzy headboards, quirky lighting and House of Hackney tapestry prints but have the space to rival most large London flats. There's a kitchen you'd quite happily cook in (and show off to friends) and just downstairs is Counter, where you can tuck into meals made with local produce; also try Mangio a five-minute walk away for hand-pulled pasta. The apartments are centred around a private courtyard: the perfect spot to sip a coffee if the sun is shining.Price available on request | RESTAURANT | KITCHEN | GYM | Best for entertainmentA retro bowling alley, cinema, spa, shiny rooftop terrace — this hideaway in the shadows of Soho feels more like a village than a hotel. Alongside 91 rooms are 24 apartments that each look and feel like the home you wish you had with perfectly clashing fabrics and furnishings put together by interior designer Kit Kemp, granite-lined bathrooms — the best with freestanding tubs — and, in some, a rooftop terrace so you can look out over the glittering Soho rooftops as the sun sets. There's everything you need to cook a feast in the huge glossy Boffi kitchens, while the Ham Yard restaurant serves up refined, comforting dishes such as lamb rump and chicken schnitzel.
firmdalehotels.com
£££ | KITCHENETTE | Best for hosting guestsThese ten apartments, set inside a grade II listed building, are a recent addition to Harley Street, known for its strings of swish private medical clinics. Antique Persian rugs, tweed-covered sofas and mid-century lithographs give a well-curated-home vibe, while smart Smeg appliances in the kitchenette and Marshall speakers provide all you need to cook and entertain. Private chefs and cocktail masterclasses can be arranged via the 24-hour concierge and — this being Harley Street — there's access to private GP services through SOLICE healthcare and special rates for guests at The Third Space Health Club nearby.
living-rooms.co.uk
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Additional reporting by Cathy Adams and Katie Gatens