Benefits of Serviced Apartments
Hotels and other traditional accommodation options aren’t always up to date with the changing demands of the modern business and leisure traveller.
Serviced apartments are considered the way forward and it’s no surprise when the advantages are considered.
First of all, there’s the privacy. Apartments feel more homely and the sense of privacy achieved when staying in them is difficult to replicate in a large hotel that’s catering for the masses.
The size of the apartments are also difficult to replicate in hotels. Whereas a hotel room usually consists of a bedroom and a bathroom, serviced apartments in Islington also offer a living area and kitchen facilities as standard.
That means that not only is there a separate place to relax in, but a fully equipped area in which to prepare meals is offered too.
The home entertainment systems found in these apartments rival that of hotels too. Even areas where hotels have traditionally boasted differentiation can also now be matched by serviced apartments. Services such as a manned reception and a concierge are increasingly being offered in serviced apartments.
The locations of the apartments are also ideal. Islington isn’t necessarily a place in London where the most upmarket hotels would have representation. But companies such as TheSqua.re can offer serviced apartments Islington exactly where people want to be, or within easy reach of a public transport station.
Corporate Accommodation in Islington
Islington is a favourite place for commuting into London. It has all of the facilities of a small town on the doorstep but has fantastic links into Central London as well.
There are nine tube stations serving Islington and the surrounding areas, covering three London Underground lines and three zones. There are also five Overground train stations and a large number of bus services. For people travelling to work in London there are so many options.
But it’s not only about the transport links. The apartments offered by TheSqua.re aren’t just ideally located, they are also stocked full of amenities to ensure that returning back to them at the end of a hard day’s work is a relief.
The stocked kitchen means that a corporate traveller doesn’t even have to venture out again even to eat!
Holiday Accommodation in Islington
People come to London to do business, that’s true, but there are many other people who visit the city to have a good time. Whether that be on a relaxing short break or a longer term vacation that requires a ‘break-neck’ itinerary taking in all the sights.
Serviced apartments in Islington suit the leisure traveller as well as the business one. A homely apartment is a much better place from which to plan the day ahead. As well as a much better place to relax in at the end of a long day.
Islington has plenty going on itself but is just a stone’s throw away from the most popular London sights. It also benefits from an excellent range of public transport options.
Where to Stay in Islington
Islington is a residential district in the London Borough of Islington. It is generally considered to be North London but is actually very central, covering the northern ’N’ postcode as well as EC (East Central).
Islington is a place that has been expanded around the traditional High Street. Islington High Street is around half a kilometre long and runs from Islington Green in the north through to the City and Pentonville Road junction at its south end.
Originally, Islington was a village and the High Street was made up of nine inns surrounding a pond. One of these inns, ‘The Angel’, now gives its name to the area around the high street as well as the nearest tube station.
Facts About Islington
The Islington of today is a popular, gentrified, achingly cool area that people just love to say they are from. But it hasn’t always been like that. Lying as it did, outside of the original London Wall, it hasn’t always been the pleasant residential area it is today. It used to be quite a lawless place with plenty of ale houses, gambling dens, theatres, amusements and brothels. Shakespeare mentioned Turnbull Street in Henry IV as an infamous brothel street. Today, Turnmill Street (as it’s now called) is better known for its upmarket apartments and there’s not a brothel in sight!
Here are a few further facts about Islington:
- The oldest brick terraced houses in London are found in Islington. Built in 1658, they are older than the Great Fire of London!
- Quite a few famous people have called Islington home at some point, including this diverse few: George Orwell, Douglas Adams, Thomas Cromwell, Gillian Anderson and Lenin.
- Islington has more restaurants than there are days in a year.
- The Angel Islington tube station has the longest escalator in the UK and the third longest in Europe.
- Islington is home to London’s Little Italy. It also has the second highest Irish population in the UK after the London Borough of Brent.
- Islington Studios is where Alfred Hitchcock learned the directing ropes.
- Islington was the first London Borough to be provided with fresh water. It came in via an aqueduct from Hertfordshire.
Cost of Living in Islington
Islington is a cool, sought after place to live but it is also very down to earth. The prices of property are high and there are plenty of high end arty types as well as city workers who call the area home.
However, Islington does have a large student population and the fact that they can be seen frequenting the local bars does suggest that Islington has a very affordable side to it.
A visit to Upper Street shows that Islington really is the place to be seen with plenty of restaurants and bars to try. These places range from the painfully expensive to the very affordable, so everybody is catered for.
Amongst the food and entertainment venues there’s also the odd chic homeware shop to browse, some of which have items at prices that demonstrate the spending power of a small percentage of Islington’s residents.
The sought after properties include Georgian and Victorian terraced houses but there are some more downmarket 60s/70s tower blocks in the area.
Fortunately, the vast majority of housing are the more modern apartments, some of which are offered by TheSqua.re for rental.
Tips for Visiting Islington
Islington is a great base for anybody looking to make the most out of a trip to London.
It’s perfectly located for business travellers. It’s minutes from the City meaning the trip to work is much easier, but more importantly the trip back to the fully furnished apartments are short. Meaning they can be enjoyed for longer. It’s also great for leisure travellers too. It’s close by lots of the major attractions as well as offering a large number of entertainment options in the evening.
Here are a few tips to really make the most out of a stay in Islington.
- Watch out for the speed limit when driving. Most of the borough seems to be covered by a 20mph speed limit. Still quite unusual in the UK.
- Be aware of Arsenal playing at home. One of the biggest football teams in London are based in Islington. Note the times of home games and be prepared for busy pubs and transport.
- Check out some local theatre. When staying in Islington, a West End visit is not a necessity. There’s plenty going on right there!
- Watch out for expensive toiletries! There are shops near the High Street that will happily sell a bar of soap for £40.
- Eat in sometimes. A different restaurant can be visited every night for an entire year. This is not recommended for a healthy waistline.
- Go to a gig at one of London’s most atmospheric venues. The Union Chapel is candlelit and spooky and a great place to see a band.
Things to Do in Islington
Q. What are the most popular landmarks in Islington?
- Islington Tunnel.
- Sphinx.
- City Road Basin.
- Wharf Road Bridge.
- Thornhill Gardens.
- Emirates Stadium.
Q. What are some free things to do in Islington?
- Walk along the canal. Ideal for a pub crawl for those that want to spend some money!
- Culpepper Community Garden (secret garden for those that don’t have one)
- Browse for curios. There’s plenty of antique and vintage shops to look through.
- Look around Islington Farmer’s Market. The oldest of its kind in London.
Q. Are there many excursions to be had from Islington?
Islington is so well connected to all of London that the list of excursions to be had from it is actually pretty endless.
There are, however, some excursions which anyone staying in Islington would be in the best place to take advantage of.
There are parks and nature reserves, museums, inner city farms, waterways and football stadium tours to enjoy.
Q.What are the most family friendly things to do in Islington?
Some of the things mentioned above are very family friendly.
Gillespie Park Nature Reserve is an inner city sanctuary containing 244 species of plant and 94 species of bird. There’s bat walks in the evening, pond dipping during the day and all sorts of activities aimed directly at children.
A tour round Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium will certainly appeal to football fans. See all of the areas usually off limits on match days as well as some amazing memorabilia.
Places to Visit in Islington
There are some fantastic attractions in Islington, here’s a selection.
- London Canal Museum - a history of London’s famous and crucial waterways is on display at this heritage museum. Hear stories from the people who lived and worked on the canals as well as how the canals were used to import Ice all the way from Norway, amongst other fascinating canal related stories.
- Highbury Fields - the largest park in Islington has plenty going for it whatever the weather. There’s a huge playground for the kids which includes a sandpit and an interactive water feature. There’s also a bandstand, a picnic area and a cafe. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy football, netball and tennis too.
- Freightliners Farm - an inner city farm with animals such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats, some of which are rare breeds. It’s free to get in too but there is plenty of produce to buy inside, a lot of which is made on the farm itself. This includes honey from the farm’s own bees.
- Islington Museum - over 500 artefacts detailing the full history of Islington. This is also free and a great way to get to know the area being stayed in.
Places to Eat in Islington
As the area is a key favourite with young people, trendy hipsters and professionals, the mix is quite diverse. From typical British pubs to fancy spots and goofy, trendy additions like burger places, avocado havens and much more, it is clear that every food palette will be catered for. Given how busy Islington can be, and its popularity, it may be best for travellers to book their tables before they arrive (if possible) so they can avoid disappointment.
Here are a few good restaurants in Islington.
- Afghan Kitchen.
- Yipin China.
- Beyond Bread.
- Trullo.
- Elk in the Woods.
- Prawn on the Lawn.
- Smokehouse.
- Frederick’s.
Shopping in Islington
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to shopping in London. But Islington also has its own hidden treats and shops to keep all travellers on their toes, and to pride that extra hint of retail entertainment. Whether it’s a few clothing stores or a few little shopping malls with a bit of everything, there’s bound to be something for everyone in this area. Here are a few places that are in or fairly local to Islington and are well worth checking out for those who love to shop.
- Angel Central.
- Camden Passage.
- Islington Square.
- Covent Garden.
- Stables Market.
Transportation in Islington
The transport system once within London is extensive and generally reliable. Islington is very well served, as is most of North London, and getting to and from the place is fairly straight forward. The tube has its usual rates, with a zone 1-2 ticket (Islington is in zone 2) costing around £35 on a weekly basis (this may change through time) keeping travellers connected to Central London with absolute ease.
Some of the Underground Stations in Islington include:
- Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line - Zone 2).
- Angel Islington (Northern Line - Zone 1).
- Caledonian Road (Piccadilly Line - Zone 2).
Other stations in Islington include:
- Essex Road.
- Highbury and Islington.
- Drayton Park.
There are also plenty of buses passing through, in and around the High Street so reaching central landmarks like Trafalgar Square London Bridge and other additions is also simple and straightforward.
Weather in Islington
London follows a similar pattern to the rest of the South East of England when it comes to the weather, but is usually a couple of degrees warmer. This is great in the winter but can be very uncomfortable in the stickiness of summer.
Winters are generally cold and summers are pleasantly warm, but can get uncomfortably hot, especially on London’s antiquated transport system which rarely has air conditioning. Layers are important. Go out wearing more than needed and it can always be taken off. Don’t get caught out by London’s cool evenings.
Especially don’t get caught out by London’s inevitable rain. Always carry an umbrella and waterproofs!
