AN INSPECTOR CALLS
He pays his way... and tells it like it is
WE’VE had country house hotels, boutique hotels, restaurants with rooms — and now along comes the ‘aparthotel.’ Right now, it’s not an overly crowded market, at least not at the affordable level. But I can see its potential, particularly in big cities such as London.
A company called Native has no fewer than 16 sites in the capital and one each in Glasgow and Manchester.
I’ve booked a berth at its Bankside branch in tiny Bear Gardens, just around the corner from the Globe Theatre.
It used to be a Victorian tea warehouse, hence its name, Empire Warehouse, lit up outside invitingly. There’s a 24-hour manned reception desk in the lobby, a gym on the fifth floor and a pantry on the first floor.
I’m paying £120 for what’s called a ‘premium studio’. And that’s exactly what it is. The cleverly designed kitchen has everything you might need — and more. There’s an oven, large fridge, two electric hobs, a combo washing machine/dryer, pots and pans, plates, bowls, wine glasses. Even a cheese grater and mini-dishwasher.
The room has a wooden floor in the kitchen area; grey carpet elsewhere. There’s some bare brick, a comfortable bed, a huge wardrobe and no clutter.
I can’t master the trendy lighting and the pillows aren’t quite top-notch, but I completely get the concept. Presumably most people stay more than one night to take advantage of everything you don’t get in a traditional hotel, in which case it represents real value. What’s more, the pantry is very generous.
‘Here’s [sic] a few bits to get you going in your apartment — enjoy!’ says a handwritten sign. In addition to tea, coffee and all kinds of herbal infusions, there’s a shelf of Heinz baked beans, tins of chopped tomatoes, glass jars of sundried tomato pesto, instant porridge, pasta, muesli, marmalade, jam, honey, fresh fruit, popcorn and crisps.
Surely I can’t just help myself. I go down to reception and seek guidance. ‘Yes, it’s all complimentary,’ I’m told.
Laden with goodies, I return to my studio and sit at the small kitchen table, where Native has provided a map of the local area, highlighting nearby bars, restaurants and galleries.
‘We might be seen as one of the leading boutique accommodation providers in the UK,’ says Native’s blurb.
They might be right.