Top tips for your London business trip

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Book our serviced apartments online, or reach out to our reservations team on: reservations@viridianapartments.com / +44 (0)20 3743 0331

London is a global epicentre for business, commerce, and enterprise, so it’s no surprise that it’s an enduringly popular destination for corporate travellers and those relocating. For 25 years, we’ve provided corporate housing in prime areas across London – here are some of our top tips for your next London business trip.

Location is king

London is a sprawling capital, with 8.5 million people and countless corporations calling the city’s 607 square miles home. You might already have an idea of where you want to be based for your business trip, but if you’re looking for some inspiration – or indeed, if you’re considering relocating for the medium to long term – here’s a quick guide to some of the city’s most popular areas for business:

Central London: the city centre is home to varied industries and sectors, including politics and culture in Westminster, television broadcasting near Holborn and a concentration of media and post-production companies in Soho

City of London: the Square Mile is London’s historical financial district, with global banks, investment firms and the London Stock Exchange found here

Canary Wharf: the iconic skyscrapers of this riverside area (including the iconic 50-storey One Canada Square) make up London’s modern financial district

East London Tech City: clustered around Old Street Roundabout, this area is a hub for tech innovation – from startups to tech giants, and institutions such as Cass Business School and London Met University

North London: Camden and Islington are both popular with the creative industries, including fashion, art and design companies 

Mayfair: among the luxury retailers and Georgian architecture, you’ll find corporate headquarters for boutique and global private equity businesses, as well as various embassies

Marylebone: world-renowned Harley Street is a centre of private medical expertise, including world-leading doctors, surgeons, physicians and other healthcare professionals

West London: a wide range of commercial sector leaders have headquarters and offices in and around West London, including those working in pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, aviation and media production

  • TOP TIP | Use our website to explore the different areas of London when planning your business trip or relocation

Find a spacious, central place to stay

If you’ve never used a serviced apartment for your corporate travel accommodation before, you may be wondering what sets them apart from hotels and why they’re gaining popularity with business travellers.

Location is a big draw, especially in a city as expansive as London. Our apartments are found in prime locations that place you near business districts, transport links, and in easy reach of vibrant high streets and town centres, packed with shops, restaurants, night life and local attractions.

Space and home comforts are also a key advantage. Our corporate guests particularly appreciate having more private space and defined areas in which to work, eat, relax, and sleep, as well as fully equipped kitchens where they can make their own meals – at any time of the day. Over the long term, serviced apartments are cost-effective, especially compared to hotels. Those little business trip costs (such as Wi-Fi, laundry services, and hotel meals or eating out) can really add up, so having a homely, private space that offers complimentary Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities (often with washer/dryer) means you can stretch your corporate travel budgets that little bit further.

And you can rest assured that you’re in good hands: our serviced apartments are professionally managed by a team of experts, there to help you from booking to arrival, during your stay and through to check-out. We have a 24-hour guest services helpline and an amazing team of in-house maintenance personnel to support you during your stay.

Using London’s public transport

Getting around the capital can feel daunting if you’re a new visitor. The excellent public transport network is great for convenience, cost, and sustainability - especially as many of our apartments are located a short walk from public transport options.

The underground (or tube) spans most of the city via 11 lines (plus the Docklands Light Railway, Elizabeth Line, Overground and Tram network), making it a convenient option for getting around, especially in the busy centre of London. The tube also links to major rail stations, such as St Pancras International, King’s Cross, London Bridge, Paddington, Waterloo, and Victoria. These offer onward links to destinations across England, Scotland, Wales and (from St Pancras) major European destinations via the Eurostar.

The tube also links to London’s major airports: you can get the District line directly to Heathrow and the DLR to London City Airport; or use the tube to connect to dedicated trains such as the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street and the Gatwick Express from Victoria.

The capital also has a comprehensive rail and bus system to reach areas not covered by the underground. With many of our apartments being located on or near high streets, you will often find a good range of bus routes or a rail station nearby.

  • TOP TIP | Use Citymapper to help you plan your journey around London

 

Events taking place in London

The capital plays host to plenty of annual events, so it’s worth considering if your business trip will coincide with these and plan ahead to secure your serviced apartment. And with more people visiting London around these events, you should also expect busier public transport and more traffic (both vehicular and pedestrian!) in prime locations.

Some events to keep in mind include: Chinese New Year (January-February), London Fashion Week (dates vary), London Marathon (April), Chelsea Flower Show (May), Wimbledon tennis (June/July), Notting Hill Carnival (August) and, of course, the prime holiday season around Christmas and New Year (December-January).

  • TOP TIP | Book your serviced business accommodation in advance to ensure you aren’t impacted by reduced availability due to high demand  

  

Make the most of your leisure time

‘Bleisure’ travel is increasingly popular, allowing you to combine your business trip with a family holiday, an extended catch up with friends, or a solo city-break. Our dedicated team is on hand to help you tailor your corporate accommodation; whether that’s finding a family-friendly apartment or providing area guides that detail the best places to visit, eat, drink and shop near our serviced apartments – with a focus on championing those local businesses that are true neighbourhood gems.

  • TOP TIP | Read our online neighbourhood guides to get ideas for maximising your leisure time – choose your location here 

 

 

Ready to book your London corporate accommodation?

  • Fill out an enquiry form and one of our team will be in touch
  • Contact us direct to chat through your requirements: by phone (during office hours) +44 (0)20 3743 0331 or by email