If you’re currently considering a long-term stay in Cambridge you are probably overwhelmed with options. After all, Cambridge is not only a great place for a staycation, but with its hive of business activity, it has also become a place for regular business travel.
With so many possibilities in front of you, we thought we would share exactly what you can expect from staying in a serviced apartment and how it compares to some of the other types of long-term stays you can find in Cambridge.
When traveling for business we know that ease is where it’s at, so we hope that our honest guide will give you an idea of what to expect no matter your needs.
Serviced Apartment vs. Hotels
While a hotel certainly makes for a great place to stay during those special occasion trips, it can become incredibly costly if you are travelling for business.
Compared to a hotel, a serviced apartment feels like a home from home. This means if you’re staying in Cambridge for longer than 7 days, you can settle in and make the place feel like your own.
However, just like a hotel, at Signet Apartments we offer a cleaning service and a bed linen service, which means you don’t have to worry about staying on top of those chores when you’re busy working and entertaining clients.
We are aware that with some hotels, you also don’t get high-speed wifi, or a constant connection, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to make long-distance calls to a head office, or even to keep in touch with family.
Many of the hotels in Cambridge are also limited in their parking spaces, as Cambridge is a congestion-free area and promotes travel on bicycles or public transport. However, we know that if you’re travelling outside of the city centre this isn’t convenient, which is why with many serviced apartments you also get a free parking space.
Serviced Apartment vs. B&B
A Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is a quintessential British style of staycation, enabling you to have a room for the night, and a cooked breakfast in the morning.
The only downside with a B&B is that most rooms do not come with the living facilities needed when you’re staying away for long periods of time. They do not have amenities such as washing machines, or your own personal kitchen, which means you could spend a lot of money eating out and getting your clothes dry cleaned.
While a B&B may be good for a staycation, or one or two nights away, it certainly won’t give you the lifestyle you need when you’re staying away for an extended period of time.
Instead, with serviced accommodation, you have everything you need all in one luxury space.
You’ve got your own kitchen, with all the appliances and tools you need to rustle up your favourite homecooked meal, and you’ve got all the equipment you need to wash and iron your own clothes.
Serviced Apartment vs. Airbnb
Airbnb is becoming a hugely popular option for long term stays, but it can soon add up when you’re staying for longer than a week.
While Airbnb apartments may seem similar in their offering to a serviced apartment, we can honestly say that you get a completely different experience.
A key difference we feel is the safety and cleanliness of a serviced apartment.
With booking an Airbnb there is no guarantee that the cleaning between guests has met the strict guidelines enforced by health and safety. Whereas at Signet, we are extremely rigorous in our cleaning procedure to ensure complete peace of mind.
If you are travelling on your own it’s also good to be in an area which is close to local amenities and has ease of access to local restaurants, parks and shops.
Many Airbnbs in the centre of Cambridge can be extremely expensive, and others are not within direct access of local facilities. Whereas at Signet, all of our apartments are within close distance to shops, restaurants and transport.
Aside from the ease of use in our serviced apartments, you also get the peace of mind that you can have a regular cleaner come in and help you keep the apartment clean and tidy. It’s such a simple service which makes all the difference when you are travelling for business.
There is so much to consider when you are looking to stay in Cambridge for a long period, but it can all be eased with a serviced apartment, as you only have to think about enjoying your time. Everything else is taken care of!
