Anyone ever rent an apartment short term instead of hotel?

[SmoothTalker]

Hey guys,

I'm going on vacation for a week to London, UK April 27th/May 4th or so.

I was going to get a hotel room but have heard from some people that you're better off just renting an apartment for one week, as apparently such deals are offered.

I'm just wondering how this sort of thing works. Obviously since it's not a hotel you aren't going to get daily maid service. But how does the rest of it work? Are they furnished? If so, do you bring your own bed sheets and pillows and dishes? How do you keep clean, is there a vacuum and similar stuff provided?

If anyone's done it, let me know how it went, any tips, and if you'd recommend it. There are 2 of us traveling.

Oh, and if anyone has any must see recommendations for London other than the usual tourist traps, let me know.

Also, I know May 1st is a holiday in Europe. Should I expect everything to be closed down like for Christmas or is it not a major holiday?

PS: Does anyone actually use BritRail? I know most of Europe has a very well developed rail system. I've never used the British one, but was looking into it, and round trip tickets to Glasgow cost about $500/person!? That's insane, especially when discount airlines sell tickets for the same journey for like $60. Surely there's cheaper rail travel?

 

[user43770]

When I went to Prague we rented an apartment for 5 days. It was furnished and already had bed sheets. The bed I slept in had bed bugs, though.

 

[Papermoon]

I do that when staying with a group of friends in a foreign city.

Usually there are bed sheets, and in good places there should be no problem about bed bugs. If booking via internet, most pages offer reviews by former guests. Wise to check those out.

You need towels, though and shower gel and shampoo. Dishes, pillows etc are already there. Usually those things come fully furnished and with cooking equipment etc. You can ask what your apartment has and what not. Most places offer a list anyway.

Food is not offered, not even breakfast. You need to do some stuffing and fill the fridge.

There is cleaning equipment and some places require you to leave to flat at a certain level of cleanliness. Usually this means: no dirty dishes and take the garbage out. Nothing else.

I found busses to be easier than trains, but everyone makes different experiences.

 

[Purple-Haze]

Hey guys,

I'm going on vacation for a week to London, UK April 27th/May 4th or so.

I was going to get a hotel room but have heard from some people that you're better off just renting an apartment for one week, as apparently such deals are offered.

I'm just wondering how this sort of thing works. Obviously since it's not a hotel you aren't going to get daily maid service. But how does the rest of it work? Are they furnished? If so, do you bring your own bed sheets and pillows and dishes? How do you keep clean, is there a vacuum and similar stuff provided?

If anyone's done it, let me know how it went, any tips, and if you'd recommend it. There are 2 of us traveling.

Oh, and if anyone has any must see recommendations for London other than the usual tourist traps, let me know.

Also, I know May 1st is a holiday in Europe. Should I expect everything to be closed down like for Christmas or is it not a major holiday?

PS: Does anyone actually use BritRail? I know most of Europe has a very well developed rail system. I've never used the British one, but was looking into it, and round trip tickets to Glasgow cost about $500/person!? That's insane, especially when discount airlines sell tickets for the same journey for like $60. Surely there's cheaper rail travel?

Whatever you do, make sure to take your own bedsheets. You don't want to be lying in someone else's leavings.

There are some hybrids out there that are like apartments for rent but hotel-like in that they allow you to rent it out for weeks/months. They come fully equipped with kitchen, furniture, basic utensils, etc. They also have maid service. These places are not apartments in the traditional sense and are run like hotels.

If you go the way of a traditional apartment, remember that you won't necessarily get the quality you would at a decent hotel.

 

[Ingeniarius]

Hey guys,

I'm going on vacation for a week to London, UK April 27th/May 4th or so.

Also, I know May 1st is a holiday in Europe. Should I expect everything to be closed down like for Christmas or is it not a major holiday?

PS: Does anyone actually use BritRail? I know most of Europe has a very well developed rail system. I've never used the British one, but was looking into it, and round trip tickets to Glasgow cost about $500/person!? That's insane, especially when discount airlines sell tickets for the same journey for like $60. Surely there's cheaper rail travel?

May 1st is a holiday in the UK. I know that in Germany and France everything closes on May 1st, including all stores that sell food, but not restaurants and some tourist attractions, so you might want to be prepared. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day

It actually might be cheaper to fly, and also sometimes that takes less time. Europe's rail companies compete directly with airlines. However, keep in mind that it also might take longer because you have to be there 1-2 hours before takeoff and wait for luggage after landing. Also cheap airlines often have weight restrictions concerning luggage, so you might not be able to take all your stuff.

 

[wallycleaver]

Everything closes down on May 1st? Hardly. Maybe government run places, but malls, cafes, restaurants, etc. will be open in just about every country. For example, May 1st was once a huge holiday in Moscow. Now it seems like just another day. I don't know about Western countries but May 1st is the first day of Spring in Moscow. No stores close in Moscow on May 1st. The transit system is still humming right along and you might see a few parades that include everything from communists to nazis to more nazis. All in all, it is nothing to change plans over.

http://www.russiablog.org/2006/05/may_1_moscow_parade_putin_go_t.php
Fun crowds. :yawn:

Renting an apartment is probably best if you are already familiar with the way things work in the area you are going. Best bet is to get a hotel if it is only for a week.

 

[SmoothTalker]

Thanks guys.

So I'm staying in the Hyde Park area, close to Bayswater and Queensway tube stations.

Any tips on where to eat for a REASONABLE price in London? I tried looking online and see things like "Drinks here are very reasonably priced at only 8 GBP" which makes my jaw drop as $16 is a bit much to pay for one drink don't you think? Most sources also suggest about 15 pounds per day for lunch.

At those prices I may as well cancel my trip as that's $200 for the week just for lunch, not to even mention breakfast or dinner.

Tips?

PS: Just out of curiosity I looked up how much a flat in London costs. In all honesty, how do people live there? It makes Manhattan look like a bargain.

 

[Ingeniarius]

Thanks guys.


Any tips on where to eat for a REASONABLE price in London? I tried looking online and see things like "Drinks here are very reasonably priced at only 8 GBP" which makes my jaw drop as $16 is a bit much to pay for one drink don't you think? Most sources also suggest about 15 pounds per day for lunch.

At those prices I may as well cancel my trip as that's $200 for the week just for lunch, not to even mention breakfast or dinner.

Tips?

PS: Just out of curiosity I looked up how much a flat in London costs. In all honesty, how do people live there? It makes Manhattan look like a bargain.

Well, try Indian or Asian food, I thought that in comparison to other places it was reasonable (like 5 GBP for a bowl of soup and then some real food). London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Also, food in Britain is not that good, except if you try to have breakfast 3 times a day. Eat well for breakfast is my tip, you'll save.

Also, we didn't eat much, as beer is like liquid bread, gives you lots of energy Beer is really good in Britain if you like it warm without much fizz.
When I stayed there 2 1/2 years ago, a pint was 3 GBP in Bayswater, around where you'll be staying.

Hope you'll have a good trip.

And how do they afford it? Beats me. They don't heat the place or something.

EDIT: I just read you looked online. Some pubs have specials where you can eat for less (like happy hours). You can't find that out if you look online as most pubs are small and cater to people walking by or locals.

Pubs are the greatest way to meet people in Britain. If football (this is soccer in British Eng.) is on then you'll meet some cool guys and even some girls, as they come to the pub to watch. It's like a public living room, hence "pubs".