Long stays
Staying in London for a month: an apartment planning guide
· Staylio · Planning guide
For a month in London, choose accommodation around your everyday routine: the commute, cooking, laundry and somewhere comfortable to work or relax. Compare the total cost for your exact dates, then check the apartment layout and booking terms. A furnished apartment can suit this kind of stay, but the right choice depends on the individual property and what its quote includes.
Start with exact dates, not a monthly headline rate
A calendar month and a 28-night booking are different requests. Give the arrival and departure dates when asking for a quote, together with the number of guests. If the final week is uncertain, say so before booking. Ask what happens if you leave early or want to stay longer, and whether an extension would mean moving apartments.
Separate the amount you expect to spend from any refundable deposit you may need to pay. A deposit affects the cash needed at booking even if it is returned later. Request the payment schedule and cancellation conditions in writing so that you can compare offers on the same basis.
Compare the whole stay, including your daily routine
Use a simple comparison: accommodation for the full period, plus any compulsory charges, plus the extras you actually expect to use. Check cleaning, laundry, parking and bills rather than assuming the words furnished or serviced settle every detail. Do not compare one provider’s nightly rate with another provider’s final total.
A kitchen is useful if you will cook; it is less valuable if every evening is already booked with colleagues. Similarly, an apartment with laundry may save trips to a laundrette, but check whether it has a washer, a dryer or a combined machine. These are practical differences over several weeks, rather than reasons to assume one accommodation type is always cheaper.
Choose the journey you will make most often
Write down the office, campus or other destination you will visit regularly. Compare routes from the apartment’s postcode at the time you expect to travel. A nearby station on the wrong line can be less convenient than a slightly longer walk to a direct service. Include the walk at both ends and the journey home.
Use Transport for London’s journey planner to compare options with fewer changes or less walking. Check your arrival journey separately if you will have large suitcases. For neighbourhood background, browse Staylio’s location pages, then ask for the details of the actual apartment available for your dates.
Check whether the apartment works on an ordinary Tuesday
Look beyond the number of bedrooms. If you need to work, ask about the table, chair, power sockets and whether there is a separate room for calls. If connection quality is essential, request recent information for that apartment; a general Wi-Fi label does not tell you how it will perform during your meetings.
Ask about the floor, stairs, lift access and any steps before the lift. Check the kitchen equipment you use regularly and the arrangements for rubbish, linen and cleaning. Find out how to report a maintenance issue during the stay. Small details become much more noticeable after the first weekend.
Send one useful enquiry
A good enquiry includes dates, guest numbers, preferred areas, your regular destination and the features you cannot compromise on. Add your total accommodation budget if you have one, and say whether it needs to include all compulsory charges. This gives the team something concrete to match against availability.
For example: two adults, arriving on a stated date and leaving a month later, working near a named station, needing a separate bedroom and a place for video calls. Ask for the available apartment link, total quote, payment schedule and written terms. Keep the confirmed details together before paying.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book exactly one calendar month?
Ask for availability using your exact arrival and departure dates. Calendar months vary in length, so a 28-night price may not cover the period you need.
Is a serviced apartment always cheaper than a hotel for a month?
No. Compare quotes for the same dates and guest count, including compulsory charges and the services you will use. Space, cooking facilities and laundry may matter as much as the headline price.
Can I extend if my plans change?
An extension depends on availability and the agreed terms. Ask about the process before booking; do not assume the same apartment or rate will remain available.