Tried & Tested

Market View by Bridgestreet Worldwide

27 Jul 2009 by Mark Caswell

What’s it like? One of nine Bridgestreet properties in the City of London, Market View consists of 63 serviced apartments split across two Victorian buildings, one of which contains the main reception area.

Where is it? Just behind Smithfield Market and within walking distance of several tube stations including St Paul’s, Chancery Lane, Farringdon and Barbican.

Room facilities Apartments have a lounge/dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and one, two or three bedrooms with either en suite or separate bathrooms depending on the room type. I was staying in a two-bedroom, front-facing apartment. The master bedroom had a double bed, a small TV, cupboard space with two clothes rails, a chest of drawers, an iron and ironing board, a trouser press, a bedside table with a lamp and a clock/radio, and an en suite bathroom with Bridgestreet-branded amenities and a  combined bath and shower. The second bedroom was slightly smaller and had a bathroom next door rather en suite (shower only), but the rest of the facilities were comparable.

The lounge area was bright, with large windows, hardwood floors, light décor, and several framed prints on the walls. Facilities included a sofa, glass coffee table, and dinner table with six chairs, a flatscreen TV with Freeview channels, a DVD player, and a radio/CD player on top of a display cabinet. One point to note is that the property does not have air conditioning but fans were provided in both the lounge and bedrooms.

The kitchen was situated in an alcove to the right of the lounge, meaning it felt detached without actually being in a separate room. Amenities were impressive, with plenty of storage space, and a comprehensive range of appliances and kitchenware. There was an oven and hobs, a washer/dryer and a fridge with a small freezer compartment, plus a toaster, kettle and coffee maker, saucepans, frying pan, wine glasses, tumblers, coffee cups, cutlery and crockery, place mats, scissors, corkscrew, knife block, chopping board, cheese grater, colander, large glass jug, and cafétiere.

As well as a handbook with information about the apartment and the local area, all guests also receive a welcome grocery pack. On my visit, this included cartons of UHT milk and orange juice, two cans of soft drinks, a small pack of Pringles, a mini pack of stem-ginger biscuits, a bar of Dairy Milk chocolate, and sachets of tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper. Other facilities include a video entry phone and wired internet access (no wifi), charged at £6 per hour, £12 per day, £28 per week and £45 per month.

Apartments are serviced once a week, and the hotel can provide a dry-cleaning service on request. All properties across Bridgestreet’s UK portfolio have gone non-smoking since the start of July, and recycling is encouraged, with the appropriate bags provided. Check-in is from 2pm, with check out at 10am – the front desk is manned between 7am and 11pm, and there is a 24-hour emergency maintenance number.

Restaurants and bars None, but for those not wanting to stay in and cook there are plenty of bars, pubs and restaurants very close to the property. There are also several small supermarkets within walking distance.

Leisure facilities None.

Verdict A good city-centre location and great kitchen facilities.

Fact file

How many apartments? 63, of which 33 are one-bedroom, 27 are two-bedroom, and three are three-bedroom.

Apartment highlights The comprehensive kitchen facilities and the bright décor throughout the rooms.

Price A one-bedroom apartment costs £188 per night for a stay of between one and six nights, £145 per night for stays between seven and 28 days, and £130 for stays of 29 nights or more.

Contact Market View by Bridgestreet Worldwide, West Smithfield 15, London; tel +44 (0)20 7792 2222; bridgestreet.co.uk

Mark Caswell

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