Let’s face it. Searching for long term or short term accommodation in the UK is no easy feat. With a housing market characterized by both low supply and overwhelming demand, it comes as no surprise that Deutsche Bank named the UK among the world’s most expensive countries to live in. London in particular, ranks as the 5th most expensive city to rent an apartment.
If there is a silver lining, it is that the rental market is fast and dynamic. If you’re lucky, you could be moving into your new place less than a month after your move. Before that, short term accommodation might be your best bet. So whether you’re planning to move to the UK, or have already arrived and need a place to get started, read on to discover our list of the best short-term accommodations. 
*This list is not placed in any particular ranking order. 
Veeve is best described as where Airbnb meets Pinterest. Bringing together a collection of beautiful apartments and townhouses, Veeve offers you the chance to start your UK adventure in a unique, character-filled home. Of course, the experience extends to an unrivalled approach to service, with all homes featuring a personal greeter to meet you on arrival as well as a dedicated housekeeping and guest service team for all your stay-in needs. Focused on London, Veeve’s curated listing includes premium locations such as Chelsea, Hyde Park and Kensington.
One of the most experienced players in the industry, London Serviced Apartments (LSA) works with over 900 serviced apartment buildings as your agent, matching your needs at the best price available. Across Economy, Mid-range and Luxury options, LSA offers a streamlined service to help you navigate the market with ease. The best thing? LSA’s apartments are generous with longer-term extensions, affording you the freedom of flexibility.
Located just footsteps from Canary Wharf, Sailmakers’ collection of one to three-bedroom serviced apartments are the perfect option to be at the heart of London’s business zone. With onsite amenities such as a cinema room, and the iconic Greenwich district less than 15 minutes away, Sailmakers promises to never let you experience a boring day. Sailmakers is also entirely pet-friendly, an important consideration when relocating with your furry pal.
Native’s Aparthotels, located across London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, combine the freedom and homeliness of apartment living with the comfort and convenience of a boutique hotel. Working with designers and artists, Native ensures that no building or apartment is alike, with old historic warehouses and sleek modern developments all being part of the Native portfolio. For the creative, Native offers a chance to soak in the culture of a new city.
If convenience is what you are searching for, look no further than Stayo. Stayo is an urban collection of beautifully designed apartments in London. With an intuitive online experience, searching for a short-term accommodation on Stayo is a breeze. Simply input factors such as your duration of stay and reason for visit (business or pleasure) and the Stayo algorithm will recommend the best option for you. Supported by a passionate local team, Stayo also offers curated local area guides to give you insider tips to help you feel immediately at home and live like a local.
SilverDoor Apartments is serviced apartments, simplified. As corporate housing and relocation experts, SilverDoor brings over 20 years of travel management expertise to you, granting you access to over 1,400 property operators in 690 cities, along with a team of experts who will work with you. SilverDoor also brings to the table a wide range of services to keep you safe, partnering with International SOS and Anvil to provide traveller tracking technology. SilverDoor will inform you of any issues that arise in the vicinity, giving you and your loved ones a peace of mind in your new environment.
Focused on your corporate travel needs, Squa.re uses technology to ensure that it brings you only the best serviced apartments in the UK. Each apartment has to pass a rigorous 150 point checklist, with embedded NPS to provide greater insight into the guest experience. With over 35,000 members and 1 million nights booked across the globe, Squa.re is a truly global marketplace that brings corporate travellers together in a community where all are welcome.
Conclusion
As you begin your new UK adventure, the right short term accommodation will allow you the convenience, flexibility and environment to get off on the right note. Your choice will depend on budget, needs and the estimated length of stay. As a benchmark, we recommend securing short term accommodation for at least 3 weeks, which is around the length of time to secure permanent accommodation in the UK.
Feeling ready to make the big move?
Head over here to begin your journey
Or start ticking off your relocation checklist here
