Tried & Tested

Serviced apartment check: Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square

21 Mar 2012 by Jenny Southan

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square completed a ten-month revamp in February, which saw dated interiors and furnishings replaced with modern, corporate-style décor in keeping with the brand’s other new properties, and those that have been given a facelift as part of its plan to bring all it European apartments up to date.

In London, the Citadines Barbican was redesigned in 2007, and the South Kensington and Holborn-Covent Garden properties were renovated over the last couple of years. In France, its properties in Montparnasse and Prestige Les Halles were renovated at the end of last year, while the Citadines Louvre will be refreshed later this year, along with a number of smaller properties in Belgium, Grenoble, Lyon and Lille. The Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi’an in China opened in 2011, while the Citadines Rasuna Jakarta will be unveiled by the autumn.

Citadines Apart’hotel is one of three extended-stay brands under the Ascott Limited banner, along with high-end Ascott the Residences, and family-orientated Somerset Serviced Residencies. Citadines is a mid-range home-away-from-home offering ideally suited to corporate guests, with fully furnished apartments fitted with kitchens, bathrooms and either separate or combined bedrooms and living areas. Minimum stays are from one night.

The décor throughout the public areas and apartments is a significant improvement on the previous interiors that looked very drab – tired upholstery, patterned carpets and a garish orange, green and brown colour scheme. The new look is far more contemporary, and there is a 24-hour reception with friendly staff.

WHERE IS IT? On Northumberland Avenue in the centre of London – a short walk from Trafalgar Square, the River Thames, Charing Cross station and Embankment Tube.

ROOM FACILTIES Apartments come with free wired/wifi internet access, open-plan kitchens (with hobs, microwaves, fridges and dishwashers), flastcreen TVs with satellite channels, direct-line phones, air conditioning, safes, irons and ironing boards, tables for eating oat or working, a combined bath/shower, towels and dispensers of shampoo/shower gel as standard. 

My Studio Premier room was about 25 sqm, which was a decent size for a short-term stay but for anything longer than a week I would have wanted to be in a one-bedroom apartment. There was one window overlooking rooftops at the back, and I was pleased to find that it opened to let in fresh air – essential if you have been cooking. There was also a comfortable bed with reading lights, and a small flatscreen TV mounted on the wall opposite.

I decided to buy some ingredients to cook a meal from scratch but regretted this as I forgot to buy essentials such as salt and oil for frying so the dish lacked flavour. (I actually asked in reception if they could help but they said they couldn’t provide these things.) If you are not staying for long, it’s best to stick with microwave meals or simple salads and soups. You also need to tidy up after yourself as, unlike in a hotel, housekeeping is weekly as opposed to daily – although there is a very light daily clean.

I wasn’t keen on the olive green, grey and purple colour scheme of my room, as I found it to be a little depressing, but it is smart and masculine. Personally, I would have preferred one of the funkier red and black apartments that look a bit livelier. I found the staff to be helpful, bringing up a second dining chair, robe and slippers when requested.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS A buffet breakfast is served from 7am to 11am (7.30am weekends) and costs £12. Charing Cross station has a Marks and Spencer, which is handy for ready-made microwave meals, salads, wine, fruit and snacks. There are also plenty of nearby cafés, restaurants and bars for if you don’t want to cook in your room. Shopping can be delivered to you for a fee.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are no meeting rooms on-site but there is a business corner with two computers and a printer on the ground floor, and guests also have discounted use of the Commonwealth Club facilities next door.

LEISURE FACILTIES None.

VERDICT A huge improvement on the previous incarnation, the revamped Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square is in a convenient central location and offers the benefit of apartment facilities (such as kitchens) for stays of one night or more. A good option for anyone looking for a good-value self catering option.

FACT FILE:

HOW MANY APARTMENTS? There are 187 apartments over nine floors, including 126 Studios for one or two people, 49 one-bedroom apartments (for up to four guests) and 12 two-bedroom Duplex apartments (for up to six people). There are six categories in total – Studio Club, Studio Premier, Studio Premier Twin, one-bedroom Club, one-bedroom Premier and two-bedroom Premier.

APARTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS The well-equipped modern kitchen and refreshed décor.

PRICE No minimum stay requirements. Internet rates for a one-night flexible midweek stay in May started from £358 for a Studio Club apartment.

CONTACT Citadines Trafalgar Square, 18/21 Northumberland Avenue; tel +44 020 7766 3700; citadines.com

Jenny Southan

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