A new round-up of aparthotels in London highlights the breadth of serviced stays now operating across the capital, setting out options that combine apartment-style space with hotel services. Published by The Telegraph, the feature brings together properties that offer kitchens, laundry facilities and separate living areas alongside front-desk support and professional housekeeping. The list reflects how this accommodation category sits between a traditional hotel and a short-let flat, and outlines choices for travellers who want more room or the ability to self-cater without giving up on-site assistance. For visitors planning city breaks, business trips or extended assignments, the survey provides a snapshot of where serviced apartments cluster and what they offer in terms of layout and amenities, while underlining the formal hotel-style operations that set them apart from peer-to-peer home rentals.
What an aparthotel offers
An aparthotel provides self-contained units with features more typical of a flat than a standard hotel room. Most units include a fitted kitchen or kitchenette, a dining space and a separate seating area, alongside a private bathroom. Many buildings add shared facilities such as reception desks, lounges, gyms or laundry rooms. This mix aims to give guests the option to cook, do laundry and work in a living area, while still having access to staffed support.
The format often appeals to travellers who need space for families or colleagues, or who plan longer stays and want services such as housekeeping, maintenance and 24-hour assistance. Aparthotel operators set clear occupancy rules, fire safety measures, and accessibility provisions, similar to hotels. Unlike peer-to-peer short lets, these buildings run as managed accommodation with defined service levels and on-site teams.
Where they operate in London
Aparthotels operate across central and inner London, with presence near business districts, major rail termini and popular visitor areas. Sites near commercial hubs allow access to offices and transport links, while locations close to major stations offer straightforward arrivals and departures for domestic and international travellers. Areas served by multiple Underground lines or the Elizabeth line connect aparthotel guests to key neighbourhoods and airports within a single journey.
Properties in established neighbourhoods often sit near supermarkets, pharmacies and cafes, which support self-catering and everyday needs. Many buildings also lie within walking distance of museums, theatres and parks, which can reduce travel time for visitors who want to combine work and leisure during a stay.
How stays work: services and limits
Aparthotels publish standard hotel-style terms and conditions. Guests usually check in at a front desk or digital kiosk, present identification and a payment card, and may be asked for a security deposit. Minimum age policies for the lead guest commonly apply. Housekeeping varies by operator: some clean daily, others weekly or on request. Many provide fresh linens and toiletries, and some supply starter kitchen basics. On-site teams handle maintenance and arrange extra services, such as cots or late check-out, subject to availability.
Units range from studios to multi-bedroom apartments. Kitchens typically include hobs, a microwave or oven, a fridge and cookware; laundry access may be in-unit or in a shared room. Not all aparthotels accept pets, and smoking bans usually apply throughout. Operators set quiet hours and guest conduct rules to manage noise and building use, and they define maximum occupancy per unit for safety and comfort.
Booking, pricing and transparency
Travellers can book direct with operators or use online travel agencies. Aparthotels display nightly rates like hotels, often with flexibility on length of stay. UK Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to accommodation; for extended stays, tax treatment may differ under HMRC rules for long-term guests. Operators disclose fees such as deposits or cleaning charges before booking. Many offer flexible cancellation windows, but terms vary by rate and length of stay.
Check-in procedures, deposit amounts and ID requirements differ by property. Guests should review arrival times, late check-in options and accessibility of reception outside regular hours. Most buildings provide Wi?Fi, and many include utilities in the room rate. Where parking exists, it is usually limited and may carry an extra cost. Buildings list accessibility features in advance, including step-free access, lift dimensions and adapted bathrooms where available.
Compliance, planning and safety context
In Greater London, using a residential property for short-term letting without permission is limited to 90 nights per year. Aparthotels, however, generally operate under hotel or serviced-apartment planning consents and do not rely on residential-use exemptions. That distinction defines how these buildings run year-round and manage continuous occupancy within local planning rules.
Like hotels, aparthotels must meet UK fire safety and health standards, including carrying out fire risk assessments, maintaining alarms and signage, training staff and displaying evacuation routes. Operators manage building security through staffed receptions, controlled entry systems and CCTV in shared areas. Many properties state accessibility commitments and service standards that align with equalities legislation and industry practice.
Who uses aparthotels and why
Aparthotels support a wide range of stays. Business travellers and project teams use them for assignments that last longer than a typical hotel visit, benefiting from workspace and kitchens. Families value separate bedrooms and the ability to self-cater. Solo travellers and couples use studios for city breaks when they prefer an apartment layout. The category also serves relocations, university visits and medical stays, where a predictable base with domestic facilities can help manage day-to-day routines.
This format suits mixed itineraries that combine office time with sightseeing, or where guests work remotely. Locations near rail stations, Underground interchanges and cycle routes support flexible movement across the city. For arrivals by air, links from Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Stansted connect to central nodes served by aparthotels, which can reduce transfer times.
Operational realities for guests
Guests should expect professional oversight rather than ad hoc hosting. Front desks handle check-in, store luggage, and answer maintenance requests. Housekeeping schedules and linen changes follow published timetables, and operators set clear escalation routes if issues arise. Where kitchens are provided, properties supply equipment to prepare basic meals; supermarkets and convenience stores nearby cover groceries. Many aparthotels list quiet hours and guest conduct expectations to balance residential comfort with hotel-style turnover.
Accessibility and family needs vary by building. Some units include sofa beds or cots; others do not. Step-free access and adapted bathrooms appear in many modern buildings, but availability can be limited in older structures. Guests who require specific layouts, such as walk-in showers or lower worktops, usually need to confirm details with the property in advance. Most buildings adopt no-smoking rules throughout, with penalties for breaches.
Industry placement within London’s accommodation mix
Aparthotels occupy a distinct space within London’s accommodation market. They run as managed properties with standardised policies, which sets them apart from private short lets and aligns them more closely with hotels. The serviced apartment format offers a predictable level of amenity for extended stays and group travel while still catering for short visits. Operators compete on location, unit size, service level and building facilities rather than on personalised hosting or unique interiors as seen in some home rentals.
The round-up reflects the current availability of such properties and shows how diverse the offer has become in terms of unit types and neighbourhoods. It also underscores the steady presence of aparthotels in areas where transport, business and leisure intersect, meeting a variety of stay patterns through standardised, building-based operations.
What this means
For travellers, the round-up provides a single view of aparthotel choices across London, clarifying which buildings operate with hotel-style services and apartment amenities. It helps set expectations on space, kitchens, housekeeping and check-in, and it highlights the types of locations where this format clusters near transport and city attractions. For operators, the feature signals continued visibility of serviced apartments in mainstream travel media, with clear attention on service standards, accessibility information and policy transparency. For local communities, aparthotels represent accommodation that runs within established planning and safety frameworks, distinct from the residential short-let model subject to the 90?night cap in London.
When and where
The Telegraph published the curated list of London aparthotels on 10 February 2026. The feature covers properties operating in London, United Kingdom. Source: The Telegraph.
The Telegraph’s list maps the shape of the market as it stands, outlining options rather than forecasting demand or price. Travellers can use it to understand format and function; operators can see how their offers compare on space and service. As London moves through a busy calendar of business, culture and sport, aparthotels remain part of the city’s accommodation mix, offering managed stays with domestic-style amenities and hotel oversight under defined planning and safety rules.
