| November 2007 |
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The Apartment Service, 5-6 Francis Grove, London, SW19 4DT
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8944 6744
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8944 1444
Web: www.apartmentservice.com
Email: res@apartment.co.uk
The Apartment Service is the trading
name of Roomspace Ltd, 5-6 Francis
Grove, London, SW19 4DT and is
registered in England and Wales
with company number 1112378.
VAT No. GB-538890988.
Members of:
HBAA, ITM, ARP, ASAP, CHPA |
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| The Apartment Service has been nominated again in the category "Best Serviced Apartment Company" for the 2008 Buying Business Travel Awards. There is still time to vote for us. Once again we appreciate your support. Please VOTE here. |
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| City Focus - London |
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It is time that we aim the spotlight at London again, it has been a while and there is lots going on in the UK capital. Lots of things to see and do and the theatres of the Westend are packed with good musicals in the run up to Christmas. |
The British Museum hosts ChinaВґs Terracotta Army and November is Photomonth with exhibitions across town.
Old favourites are of course The London Eye, Big Ben and LondonВґs newest music and entertainment venue, The O2, formerly known as The Millennium Dome.
And when visiting London, why not stay in a serviced apartment, instead of in a hotel room. This month The Apartment Service recommends Sunlight Apartments, with apartments in various locations in SE1:
Sunlight Apartments
Sunlight Apartments currently own and operate over 280 apartments centrally located in London SE1. Providing temporary, stylish accommodation, 10 minutes from London Bridge and competitively priced, Sunlight Apartments are the business and leisure accommodation provider that guests return to time after time.
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Ideally located near Borough Market, the Tate Modern and Tower Bridge, our studio, one and two bedroom apartments are available for three nights and beyond for clients seeking a cost effective solution for their accommodation requirements.
For more information:
Sunlight Apartments - (+44) - (0)20-7407 2778
Website: www.sunlightapartments.co.uk
And of course these apartments can also be booked via The Apartment Service. Please call (+44)020-89441444 , or visit our website. |
To ALL our apartment managers: If you want your apartments to feature in one of the next issues of our news letter, please email. Bard Vos to discuss the terms and conditions.
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For more information and availability on any apartments please call reservations +44 (0)20 8944 1444 or visit our website.
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| News in November |
EUROPE
* Accommodation offer from "A Space in the City" - Cardiff:
Stay in our apartments for three nights and pay only for 2! All through the month of November. You can enquire about these apartments here now. Or just send an email to resteam@apartment.co.uk
* Premier Apartments Birmingham has now opened with 56 one bedroom apartments and 11 two bedroom apartments
USA
* Corporate Choices Magazine, the ultimate handbook for travelers and travel professionals. Get your FREE copy here.
MIDDLE/FAR EAST & AUSTRALIA
* Quest Serviced Apartments has just opened the doors to its newest property, in Dunedin, 42 studio and one bedroom apartments. This brings Quest´s total of locations in New Zealand now to 22, whilst across Australia and Fiji they operate a further 100+ serviced apartments.
* Marriott Executive Apartments have announced that they are to open 2 new properties in Bangkok in the next few years, namely Sukhumvit Park (300 units in 2008) and Benchasiri Place (100 units in 2010)
* The Ascott Group has opened its first residence in Bahrain last month. The 118 unit Somerset Al Fateh is located on the coast of Al Fateh overlooking the Arabian Sea. The opening of the Somerset West Bay in Doha (Quatar) is planned for early 2008.
MISCELLANEOUS
only in America, or is this the future for hotels and serviced apartments everywhere?)
* The Fairmont Washington, D.C. announced its new amenity: The Sleep Concierge.
"Guests, who find it hard to sleep while away from home, will discover that the Fairmont 's Sleep Concierge may just be the answer to their dreams," says the hotel.
Guests checking into Fairmont Gold, at The Fairmont Washington, D.C., find a "Sleep Menu" on their pillows.
Fairmont Gold are the accommodations on the ninth floor that form a 'hotel within hotel,' offering various special amenities.
The Sleep Menu includes:
---An in-room 15-minute de-stress Neck Massage
---An in-room 30-minute Yoga Sleep Class
---Rose Petals for the Bath
---Lavender Scented Candles
---Scented Bath Soaks
---Moet mini nightcaps
---Sleep inducing teas with Lavender Cookies
---CD of zMusic, The Sound Way to Sleep(TM), by Sleep Garden
---A Silk Eye Pillow
---Teddy Bears
After reviewing the menu, guests simply dial the Sleep Concierge to order one or more sleep components. The Sleep Concierge then arrives with the sleep order, which is presented, on a soft, fluffy pillow. Menu items range from $8 to $30 each. |
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| ARTICLE OF THE MONTH |
Have you ever wondered how much to tip in restaurants, taxis, hotels? Don´t you tip at all? Or maybe you are too generous? Here is a handy guide:
Global Guide to Tipping
Take a taxi anywhere in South America, and rounding the fare up to the next dollar amount is sufficient as a tip. If you're in an African city such as Cape Town or Nairobi , however, you need to tip 10% for a cab ride.
Going to India? Taking a taxi here means there is no need for gratuity at all. While even the savviest globetrotter might be in the know about the best places to dine and the hippest hotels to stay at, knowing what to tip and when can be downright confounding.
At a luxury hotel in Japan , for example, if you try to tip anyone from the wait staff at a top restaurant to the hotel concierge, your gesture will be perceived as a rude and flagrant show of wealth. On the other hand, if you skimp on tipping at any restaurant in the United States or to a concierge who has helped fulfill multiple requests, you probably won't be welcome again.
Top "Tips"
While these conventions can leave travelers scratching their heads, experts say that there are a few basic rules of thumb to following about tipping. "In most places around the world, it's better to give something than nothing--so if you're ever in doubt, tip," says Erica Duecy, editor of restaurants and hotels at Fodor's travel publications. "And in many cases, tipping customs can be broken down by area of the world, so what you're supposed to tip isn't going to vary too much from country to country in that region." In most countries in Europe , for instance, the service charge is included in the meal; it's customary to add another 5% to 10% for gratuity, especially in high-end restaurants. If no service charge is included, add 15% to the total bill. For taxis, 10% is the right amount to tip, and for hotel porters, give the equivalent of $2 per bag.
Experts agree that when it comes to the concierge at your hotel anywhere in the world, you don't need to tip for advice such as what sights to see; but you should always acknowledge service. In Europe , $2 is enough for each simple request the concierge fulfills, such as arranging airport pickup or making restaurant reservations. If your concierge is performing special tasks, such as arranging an after-hours tour of the Louvre, it's appropriate to tip $30 or more, depending on the difficulty of your request.
Accepted In Asia
Asia is one part of the world that has slightly different tipping customs for each country.
In Japan , tipping is an insult in any situation; but in China , giving 3% is expected at restaurants, while in Hong Kong , 10% to 15% is the norm if the gratuity isn't included in the bill. For taxis, you don't need to tip in China , but in Hong Kong , you should round the fare up to the next dollar amount. In both China and Hong Kong , you should give hotel porters $2 to $3 per bag, especially at luxury properties, while $3 to $5 is a good amount for basic requests you ask of the concierge. You should incrementally increase this amount based on the complexity of your request.
What To Do Stateside
It's not always obvious what you need to tip in the U.S. While it's standard to tip 15% at restaurants, if you're enjoying a meal at an upscale spot such as the French Laundry in Napa Valley , it's expected that you'll tip at least 20%.
For taxis in cities such as New York City or Chicago , you should tip 15%, but in smaller cities or towns, you simply need to round up the fare to the next dollar amount. When you check into a hotel, you should give the porter $1 for each of your bags, but if you're staying at an upscale property such as the Four Seasons or the Ritz-Carlton, $2 to $5 per bag is more appropriate. Give on the higher end for especially heavy bags.
When it comes to the hotel concierge, give $3 to $5 for a basic service, such as arranging airport transportation. If the concierge fulfills a more difficult request, like getting you a last-minute 8 p.m. table at a restaurant that is typically booked weeks in advance, it's not uncommon to shell out $20 and up.
Follow these rules, and chances are you'll be less likely to be tripped up while traipsing around.
United States
Restaurants: 15% to 20%, with 20% being the norm at high-end restaurants.
Taxis: 15%, or round up to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: $1 per bag, but at luxury hotels such as Four Seasons properties, $2 to $5 per bag is the norm.
Hotel Concierge:$3 to $5 for a simple service, such as arranging airport transportation. For a more complicated request, such as a hard-to-score reservation, tip $20 and up.
Europe
Restaurants: Service charges are included in most meals, but add another 5% to 10%. If no service charge is included, add 15% to the bill. Taxis: 10%.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag (or about 1.50 euros)
Hotel Concierge: $2 is enough for easy requests, but this amount should increase to $30 or more for special requests, such as getting an after-hours tour of the Louvre.
Asia: Japan , China and Hong Kong
Restaurants: In Japan , it's considered an insult to tip for anything. In China , 3% is the norm, and in Hong Kong , 10% to 15%, if it's not already included in the bill.
Taxis: In China , no tip is necessary. In Hong Kong , round up to the next dollar.
Hotel Porters: $2 to $3 per bag at high-end hotels.
Hotel Concierge: $3 to $5 for basic requests such as dinner reservations. Incrementally increase the amount based on the complexity of your request.
Asia: India
Restaurants: If it's factored in, leave a few dollars extra. If not, leave 10%.
Taxis: It is not necessary to tip.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for easy tasks and up to $20 for more intricate requests, such as arranging Mumbai's top jeweler, Neelam Kothari, to bring her latest collection to your hotel room for a private viewing.
Africa (Major cities such as Cape Town or Nairobi )
Restaurants: In most cases, gratuity is already factored in. If not, 10% is the norm.
Taxis: 10% in major cities.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for simple tasks. Increase the amount based on the complexity of the request, but usually there's no need to exceed $20.
Australia/New Zealand
Restaurants: For fine dining, 10% to 15% is acceptable. Otherwise, a service charge is almost always included.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for each basic task, such as arranging transportation, and up to $50 for harder requests, such as scoring tickets to a sold-out opera at Sydney Opera House.
Australia/New Zealand
Restaurants: For fine dining, 10% to 15% is acceptable. Otherwise, a service charge is almost always included.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for each basic task, such as arranging transportation, and up to $50 for harder requests, such as scoring tickets to a sold-out opera at Sydney Opera House. |
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| Client Survey |
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| Executive Roomspace/Roomspace Serviced Apartments Availability Update |
The newest locations for Roomspace Serviced Apartments..........
Skyline Apartments - Birmingham - A selection of one and two bedroom apartments in one of Birmingham´s most sought after new developments, conveniently located in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
All apartments have excellent specifications, including lifts to all floors, a video entrance system, secure parking and most apartments have a balcony or terrace. The rates quoted include all utility bills, apart from telephone charges. Housekeeping service includes linen and towel change. Minimum stay is 1 week.
One bedroom apartment: £495 per week
Two bedroom apartment: £635 per week |
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Roomspace Serviced Apartments, minimum stay: 7 nights, offers the following locations for your accommodation needs: Birmingham, Brighton, Croydon, Epsom, Farnborough, Guildford, Leatherhead, London City, London Docklands, Southampton, Wimbledon. |
Special November availability in the following locations:
Birmingham - RSA - Skyline, one bedroom apartment £495 per week and two bedroom apartment £635 per week
Hampton Wick - RSA Marina Place, two bedroom apartments - £997 per week
Staines - RSA Thames Edge, one bedroom apartments - £641 per week, two bedroom apartments - £773 per week and three bedroom apartments - £974 per week.
London (Borough) - RSA Empire Square, one bedroom apartments - £900 per week, two bedroom apartments - £1300 per week
Executive Roomspace, with minimum stays of 1 month is available in a wide selection of locations. More information on them can be found on our website www.roomspace.comSpecial January availability in Reading. Please visit ERS-Minster Court
And just a reminder of our three new locations of Roomspace Serviced Apartments in London and South East:
* Discovery Dock - Canary Wharf (for info contact our reservations on 020-89441444 )
* Poulton Court - North Acton
* Mosaic Apartments - Slough
And, hot of the press is Clarendon House in Kingston, with 4 one bedroom apartments and a two bedroom apartment. For more information on these apartments please contact our reservations team on 020-89441444, or email res@apartment.co.uk
All rates quoted are per apartment per week and inclusive of all bills (excluding telephone and VAT) and a weekly service clean. And of course, all our apartments are fully furnished and equipped to the highest standard.
Please call +44 (0) 20 8944 1444 for more information or send an email to Tracy Barlow, Reservations Manager |
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| Feedback |
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| Contact Details |
Bard Vos - Marketing
The Apartment Service,
5-6 Francis
Grove,London.
SW19 4DT
tasnews@apartment.co.uk
Tel. +44 (0)20 947 3003 (Marketing)
Tel. +44 (0)20 8944 1444 (Reservations)
Fax.+44 (0) 208 944 6744
If you do not wish to receive future Apartment Service Newsletters, you can unsubscribe from our mailing list using the Safe Unsubscribe option at the end of this e-mail. |
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