Flats For Rent London

In 2012 one of the most important sporting events will be coming to London, the Olympic Games will obviously draw huge numbers of people, all interested in experiencing the event in person and soaking up the incredible atmosphere in the capital. One of the most important aspects of any stay in the capital is the organisation of your accommodation; obviously you need the best options to make your time as enjoyable as possible. Firstly it needs to be within a moderately easy commute of main sporting areas, the ability to easily get to different areas of London will be seriously hindered by the sheer quantity of people prepared to use the transport routes. It is also essential to be staying in a relatively central place to really experience the buzz surrounding the event, the majority of central London will be a hive of activity with a great deal going on including markets and street shows. There are a great deal of options available to anyone looking to stay in the capital during the Olympics in 2012 and the venues of the Olympics will be spread over a vast area, so there will be plenty of different places that you can usefully stay.
It will be very busy during the Olympics in the capital so it will have to be a well prepared stay in the capital, and often there are massive price hikes towards the event and you can end up paying vast sums more than you would have done if you booked and paid in advance.
A brief Guide to the Olympic Venues
The majority of the venues for the Olympics are in central areas surrounding the Thames, the main arena is the ‘Olympic Park Stratford’, close to Victoria Park. The venue is currently being built and will house the main Olympic stadium, the aquatics centre, the athlete’s village and the VeloPark (indoor cycle track). Other areas that will host some of the events include Wimbledon which is hosting the Tennis, Wembley which will be showing the football and the Lords cricket stadium will be staging the archery. Also the Millennium Dome (O2 arena) will be housing the gymnastics and possibly the quirkiest choice is the House Guards Parade, the home of the ‘changing of the guards’, which will play host to the beach volleyball tournament. There are a variety of venues in different areas of the country so you can enjoy the Olympics without necessarily travelling to London. Some of these venues include Old Trafford (Manchester), St James’ Park (Newcastle), Hampden Park (Glasgow) and the Millennium Stadium (Cardiff), which will stage the football tournament. There will also be other areas playing host to specialist events, including Eton Dorney (Berkshire) staging the rowing, canoeing and kayaking and also Weymouth will stage the sailing competition at the National Sailing Academy on the south coast of England.
Hotels in London
For people wishing to stay in some good areas during the Olympics, hotels provide some good options. If you are looking to stay near the Olympic Park in east London then hotels such as the ‘Holiday Inn Express Stratford’ should comfortably accommodate your needs, as it is a recently built hotel and well known for its quality. There are various other options available within easy commute of Olympic locations including quality hotels in the docklands and the Canary Wharf areas, some of the options in these areas include the ‘Hilton Docklands’, the ‘City Hotel’, the ‘Travelodge Docklands’ and the ‘Four Seasons Canary Wharf’. Hotels will certainly be expensive during the Olympics but will offer a useful, adaptable alternative then other forms of accommodation.
Rented Accommodation in London
A great way of experiencing the Olympics is to rent an apartment; many people prefer the relaxed nature of living in a designated home with comfortable living space compared to a hotel. It also affords you the adaptability to choose whether you want to go out for meals or enjoy an evening in or entertain friends, generally a more adaptable option. Often rented accommodation is cheaper than a comparable hotel as there is no service associated with the property and so lowers the overall cost of renting. There are some negatives though with the luxury of room service not being available at rented accommodation amongst other services associated with hotel accommodation.
Other Accommodation in London
There is a variety of cheaper accommodation available in London including various hostels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses available. These are situated throughout London and often in useful places to view and be involved in the Olympic Games; some of these include the ‘Piccadilly Backpackers Hotel’, the ‘Jesmond Dene Hotel’ and the ‘Belgravia Hotel’. There are various sites that can be used to find and book accommodation throughout London, some of these include ‘hostellondon.com’ and ‘bedandbreakfasts.co.uk’

In South Africa, we call it winter, the temperatures in the Eastern Cape drop to a daily average of around 26 degrees c, at night around 13 with the early mornings sometimes as low as perhaps seven degrees on occasions, a friend of mine who often holidays away from his London flat says to me “and you call this winter!”….

Today, as I write from this wonderful winter holiday destination, a vicious cold front is moving through, it reached as low as seven degrees this morning and now, at mid day it is only 13,5. Let’s think about this for a moment, this is a cold spell, in other parts of the world one cannot leave one’s pet outside for more than fifteen minutes or it will die. Next winter, the 2010 soccer world cup, the largest sport event in the world will bring thousands of travel visitors to South Africa. Are they panicking about temperatures, please don’t – I have watched telly and seen them play football in the UK and Europe in slushy left over snow, we call it mud! South Africa is a stunning winter destination.

Maybe a little longer in bed, take along an extra jersey just in case and enjoy the warmth of your hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation as you travel around South Africa, from Cape Town to Johannesburg, Port Alfred, Knysna, Durban to Port Elizabeth as you follow your team during the competition. Perhaps rent a holiday home to use as a base from which to travel.

Whilst camping and out door living might not be great at this time,  this form of accommodation however will take you to some wonderful and interesting places.  Visitors to South Africa have many other accommodation options, from self catering to luxury Hotels, browse around our recommended accommodation site www.staysa.co.za and check out the many bed options across all types and budgets.

A top for travel tip in winter is that wherever you go, pack a knee rug and an old fashioned hot water bottle that you can fill in the evenings and take it along to bed with you, the knee rug is warm if chilly air hits an open game viewing vehicle and it can double up as an extra blanket when you are sleeping.

Travel as little off the beaten track as you tour between soccer matches, as said, Winters are generally dry in South Africa, the exception perhaps being the Western Cape or Cape Town region, discuss your route and site seeing options with the owner of your accommodation establishment or travel agent. South Africans’ are proud of their country and will gladly assist any visitor.

South Africa is a wonderful winter destination, most international visitors head for the game parks in summer as they run from the European winters, whereas it’s actually in winter they should be visiting, animals are easier seen, the grass is shirted and they are often gathered around the waterholes.

YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL…….. Please send any travel tip or travel idea to info@staysa.co.za  help fellow travellers to enjoy safe and happy travelling. We will gladly assist with travel information or visit the site at www.staysa.co.za where you will find comprehensive travel and accommodation information.

 Alan Hawkins – CEO

Dubai… A great place to live and property investment!

The Dubai Properties and Real Estate Blog is a resource center for international property investors. Being the commercial hub of the Arab world, Dubai saw property boom since 2002 when the government had permitted foreigners to invest in Dubai properties in order to boost Dubai and as well as the whole UAE real estate market.. For a few years now, some have been saying that the Dubai property bubble was about to burst and that a property crash was just around the corner. Yet, prices kept increasing and such doom mongering proved unfounded. The Dubai property market is unique in many ways, and as such doesn’t follow the general rules of other property markets around the globe and other Middle East property markets. The current rate of return on UAE property investments is in the region of 10 – 15 percent per annum, with this rate expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and rental yields in excess of 10% are further evidence of strength in the property market. The growth in the tourism industry of Dubai has been phenomenal with the 3.4 million visitors in 2001 expected to rise to over 6 million in 2010 – from a standing start the area is becoming a magnet for overseas visitors. Many of Dubai’s property developments set out to emulate the most prestigious residential addresses in the world. However, the less glamorous middle-income gulf or Middle East real estate market is increasingly drawing the attention of savvy investors. Dubai Properties is one of the biggest and has said it will deliver 5,000 units to the freehold market in 2008 which is not nearly enough to meet surging demand. Abu Dhabi property market will not deliver a single new real estate unit this year, and deliveries will only start late in 2009, and that creates additional demand in Dubai.

The Mediterranean island of Malta has recorded the strongest growth in property prices from countries in the European Union, and recent news could help see property inflation in double figures for the next few years. Malta is not only a tax efficient location with beautiful costal properties for sale or rental, but its warm climate, beautiful sea and days full of sun will help you relax and retire in a friendly and safe environment for Mediterranean property investment. Sustained property inflation at levels seen in Malta are rarely seen in other countries, but new economic activity on the island could see property demand at good levels for some years to come. The introduction of low cost flights to Malta from the UK will open up the possibility of more international real estate investors looking at the island for holiday homes that could be used for long weekends, and the Malta hotels industry could reap the benefits of the 3 and 4-day tourist seeing the island as a viable place to visit. After some years of wondering how Malta property market would fit into the modern world, property agents, hotel owners and the Malta holidays industry are beginning to see the future with some optimism.

Due to the gains in housing equity in the past 20 years, more people have been seeking to invest in housing, rather than other forms of investment. In the UK there has been a rise in the number of private buy to let investors. Similar to an increase in the buy to let sector, there has also been an increase in demand for houses from oversees property buyers. This has had a significant effect in boosting real estate demand, especially in London. In terms of land mass the UK is an incredibly small country yet it attracts amongst the highest levels of immigration in the world. the supply of property is always restricted in the UK and that exaggerates price swings and ensures a recovery. Those more patient buyers from Arabia will find themselves well rewarded.

The new Saatchi Gallery just off the trendy Kings Road in Chelsea is already becoming a “must see” destination for visitors to London.

Admission is free to this amazing display of contemporary art.

The imposing location at the Duke of York HQ is just a few minutes walk down Kings Road from Sloane Square underground station and just 10 minutes walk from Victoria station.

Currently on display is a stunning exhibition of pictures, sculptures and installations by 24 of China’s leading artists – mainly based in Beijing. Many of these innovative works are stunning and thought provoking and even humorous.

Of note are some very realistic wax sculptures including one of an elderly angel lying prone with realistic fleshy “poultry-looking” wings which appear to be almost real. There are some witty paintings of Chairman Mao in unlikely locations including Venice (enjoying the sun with a bikini-clad companion), the Yalta Conference, the McCarthy hearings and riding in an open carriage with the Queen Mother.

In the basement is a hypnotic installation of life-size elderly state leaders, past and present, including Archbishop Makarios and Fidel Castro. These ancient characters are displayed in their declining years slumped in motorised wheelchairs. They move and collide randomly in the space providing a strangely mesmerising display.

Outside on the plaza is an open air café and on Saturdays in the plaza there is Chelsea market – a veritable bustling melee of stalls cooking and selling delicacies from many of the major cuisines of the world. The aroma from the wonderful food permeates the square where you can buy delicious produce such as French cheeses, juices, Middle Eastern, Thai and Spanish food, as well as organic meat, whole food wraps and good Olde English pies.

A trip to London is not complete without a Saturday stroll in this bustling area of London. You can shop in the eclectic collection of designer boutiques, enjoy good food and complete your day with a memorable visit to the excellent and unforgettable Saatchi Gallery.

If you are travelling to London on business and need inexpensiveaccommodation which offers flexibility, then renting a serviced apartment is an excellent option for you to consider. Business travellers are often surprised to learn that a serviced apartment can be rented for periods of only one night upwards.Most serviced apartments are located close to London underground stations so you will have easy access to London’s excellent transport network. The tube offers you the quickest way to get around under the capital whilst avoiding the traffic.When you rent an apartment, you will benefit from all the services you would expect to have available in a good hotel such as 24 hour reception, laundry, cleaning, safe etc. Some even have their own restaurants on site.As well as these facilities, staying in an apartment will offer you the freedom to come and go as you please, invite guests or business colleagues to your apartment, as well as being able to prepare your own meals whenever you feel like it.All serviced apartments come fully furnished with TV’s and fully fitted kitchens and linen and towels, whilst many have hifi’s, safes, internet access, gymnasium.If you are sending teams of staff to London on an assignment or sending a group of employees to an exhibition, then the cost saving can be considerable. For example, one bedroom apartments often sleep 4 people so  for less than £100 a night you can accommodate staff much more inexpensively than you would in a hotel. By arranging self-catering accommodation, you will avoid the need for staff to run up considerable restaurant bills by dining out every evening.

The range of apartments available in London is vast; from the smaller economy studio apartment at the lower end of the market to the luxury 3 bedroom penthouse at the other. Whatever your requirements, if you contact the right agent, you will not be disappointed.Go City Apartments offer an efficient, friendly service and always do their utmost to find you an apartment which is perfect for your requirements, whether you are looking for a small pied-a-terre for one night or a luxury penthouse suite for a couple of months.

For corporate employees in London on project assignments, serviced apartments offer the best of both worlds. You will benefit from spacious accommodation, as well as having a separate fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals and a bathroom. Even in a studio apartment, you will have ample space to work and entertain friends or clients and well as broadband internet access. Serviced apartments offer you the chance to enjoy the services you would expect from a hotel whilst enjoying the privacy and freedom offered by having your own apartment, your own home from home in London.

In central locations, most service apartments are just a stone’s throw away from London Underground stations and a host of restaurants, bars and the nightlife of the city.

At the Citadines just off London’s famous Trafalgar Square there is a large breakfast area next to the foyer where you can enjoy coffee and croissants in the morning. Embankment and Charing Cross stations are just a short walk away. You will be close to the West End with Regent Street and Piccadilly just 15 minutes walk. In this area, busy bustling streets are lined with shops and you will be just a few steps away from theatreland where you can enjoy London’s vibrant nightlife. You can rent a studio apartment for any length of time from one night upwards.

For the international family, there is superb contemporary accommodation available behind the magnificent traditional facades of old Victorian buildings in areas such as Knightsbridge and Clerkenwell. These provides provide a home from home for businessmen and their families on assignment to London.

For the business traveller, there are many options available. See www.gocityapartments.com  for details of over 1,000 London serviced apartments from budget studios to luxury penthouses.

1. Serviced apartments are always located close to London underground stations and bus stops, making it easy to travel around the capital and beyond.2. Residents benefit from 24-hour reception facilities as you would in a hotel whilst enjoying the privacy of your own apartment as well as regular cleaning services. Some residences have a gym on site.

3. Serviced apartments are spacious. They are on average 25 % larger than the typical hotel room of a similar standard. They are a comfortable home from home for extended says in  London.

4. Staff living in London on corporate business are able to work in their apartments, as well as meet and entertain clients and friends there. Most have broadband internet access. Serviced accommodation offers a great deal of flexibility both for individuals and for international families in London on temporary assignments.

5. Serviced apartments have their own separate kitchen, enabling residents to prepare/cook their own meals. Staff will not need to go to expensive restaurants on a daily basis – this will save the company money and also be good for the waistlines of employees!

6 . Washing machines and tumble dryers are provided in most serviced apartments so staff are be able to live independently without running up expensive laundry bills.

7. 4 or even 6 employees can share an apartment so it can be an extremely cost effective solution for staff on an extended stay in London.

8. Serviced apartments are perfect for remote project space for staff requiring short to medium term re-allocation. They are ideal for London-based companies requiring a temporary service team. They are excellent for overseas companies sending teams of staff to London for training. They provide excellent accommodaiton for staff on import/export reconnaissance missions.

9. Serviced apartments are a flexible, cost effective temporary solution for staff relocating to London.

10. There is no need for companies to sign up to a complicated tenancy agreement, nor is there a requirement to commit for a long period of time. Serviced apartment rental is flexible. You can book for one night, one week, one month or one year!

Do you fancy a romantic break in London where you can do some shopping, enjoy the lights, take in a show and enjoy some of the fabulous restaurants that London has to offer with that special person in your life?

If you have the time to spare to come to London, you can rent a lovely studio apartment just off Trafalgar Square at a very reasonable price. You will be able to enjoy the privacy and intimacy of your own apartment where you will have your own fully equipped kitchen to prepare snacks and your own private bathroom. Your apartment will be your own pied-a-terre for the duration of your stay.

Close by is Embankment Station on London underground’s where you can take the tube on the District, Circle, Northern and Bakerloo lines. You will only be a minute’s walk from the River Thames where you can stroll along the Embankment and across the Jubilee Bridge to the South Bank. Along the South Bank there are a host of restaurants and places of interest to explore. The Festival Hall itself is home to a fantastic programme of music throughout the year.

Oxford Street and Regent Street are only 15 minutes walk away with their bright lights and amazing array of shops as well as the fabulous London theatres. You can go and watch a show, enjoy a musical and have a thoroughly wonderful time. Soho and Covent Garden are also within walking distance.

The London Eye is a “must do” for visitors to London. Enjoy its slow rotation whilst looking out over one of the most stunning skylines in the world.

Why not enjoy a romantic dinner for two on one of the well appointed Thames riverboat cruisers? The river is beautifully illuminated at night and you can enjoy good food and wonderful views as you sail along the river and take in its fabulous views.

If you would like a romantic getaway with your loved one in 2009, then London has everything to ensure you have a great trip.

Are you feeling fed up with the long dreary winter and desperate to start to enjoy Spring? Do you want to get away from it all and enjoy some culture? Maybe a stay in the city of London will help you beat those winter blues and recharge your batteries in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. You can enjoy the many events staged at the Barbican and visiting the West End for shopping and theatre trips.

Independent travellers to London are often surprised at how easy it is to rent a fully furnished apartment for a short break in London. Apartments are available from periods of just 1 night upwards!

You can stay just 150 metres from the Barbican centre in a simple studio apartment with its own fully equipped kitchen and bathroom for well under a hundred pounds a night. Included in the price are linen, towels, broadband internet access, TV, HiFi, direct phone, in-room safe. You will have the flexibility of being able to prepare your own snacks and meals whilst enjoying your own private home from home in London.

The Barbican is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue and presents a huge range of art, music, theatre, dance and educational events. It is also home to the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra.

Offering an unparalleled programme of film festivals, the Barbican shows a whole host of movies from an eclectic mix of independent directors from around the world.

There are many superb concerts or events at the Barbican Centre. Leading musicians and soloists from all over the world in both classical and contemporary music perform regularly at the Barbican. In classical music, world-famous artists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Simon Rattle, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Evgeny Kissin, Maxim Vengerov, Alfred Brendel, Bernard Haitink, Mstislav Rostropovich, Midori, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma have been enjoyed by visitors to the centre in recent times. In contemporary music the best artists in jazz, country, folk, world, roots, rock, soul and contemporary classical music from around the world are proud to perform there.

The restaurants at the Barbican Centre are popular with visitors and serve an excellent selection of meals, both at lunchtime and in the evenings.

The Barbican is also the perfect location for business travellers to the City of London. Corporate executives on assignment in London enjoy living in the hub of the business and artistic centre of the city. Partners are often happy to come along and enjoy the arts, as well as having the opportunity to hop on the tube at nearby Barbican Station and travel in to the West End for shopping. Everyday life in London offers so much to the visitor with its pubs, olde English backstreets and amazing array of shops and quality restaurants.

One of London’s greatest landmarks within walking distance is the fabulous St Paul’s Cathedral. You can climb to the top and enjoy magnificent birds eye views of one of the most amazing cities in the world.

If you are a lover of Shakespeare you can visit the remarkable Globe Theatre nearby at Southwark which also offers an impressive calendar of events throughout the year which include theatrical performances and lovely concerts.

You can stroll along to St Katherine’s Dock and watch the fascinating comings and goings at the fabulous marina full of sailing boats whilst enjoying a meal in one of the many waterside restaurants.

Engineering enthusiasts love to visit Tower Bridge and watch as this fabulous old Victorian icon opens to allow tall ships to pass through on their way up the Thames. Again, you can enjoy stunning views along the river from its walkways. In recent years, it has become an impressive London venue and it is now even possible to get married on Tower Bridge!

Whatever your taste, a stay in the Barbican area of London will offer you excellent entertainment and sightseeing opportunities. As well as the arts and culture, you can enjoy fantastic shopping in Oxford Street and Regent Street with the West End just a short distance away on the tube.

Before you make your reservation, there are a number of points you need to consider.

1. Select the area you require. Would you like to stay close to where you are working to minimise journey time? Or would you like to live in an area with bustling nightlife and restaurants nearby for your relaxation? Do you need to be very close to the London Underground?

2. What size accommodation do you need? Do you need space in your apartment to entertain clients or will you be using your apartment solely for eating/sleeping? You need to decide whether to rent a studio, one bedroom or possibly two or three bedroom apartment. A studio apartment may well be suitable for you if you are simply looking for accommodation in which to live, sleep and eat. If you wish to entertain clients or friends in your apartment then a one bedroom apartment will be a better option. For the international family in London on assignment there are currently some very good deals for 2+ bedroom accommodation.

3. Luxury or economy? There is such a wide range of furnished accommodation available. Behind the majestic Victorian facades of many London streets, there are the most superbly appointed contemporary apartments with every last luxury. Flatscreen TVs, state of the art sound systems, concierge services are but a few of the facilities available at the top of the range of the market. At the lower end of the market, accommodation is more basic but nevertheless all serviced apartments come with a fully fitted kitchen/kitchenette and bathroom, as well as TV, linen and towels.. Prices can vary enormously but in these “credit crunch” days you can get some excellent deals, especially if you are staying for a period of more than a month.

4. Optional extras. There are many optional extras available at some of the locations including on-site gyms, restaurants, breakfast rooms serving coffee and croissants, business centres, food delivery services. Many apartments offer free broadband internet access.

5. How long for? Amazingly, in many locations you can rent an apartment for one night upwards!

6. Use a good agent. There are a number of agents in London who offer very efficient booking services with a wide range of property available in the key areas of the capital. A good agent will ensure that you are offered the best property for your requirements at the best price.