The Serviced City Pads blog knows that summer is always an interesting time for football fans. Though we are taking an enforced break from club football, there is still plenty happening. We are right in the middle of the transfer market silly season, with all sorts of rumours flying around. Nasri to Manchester United? Drogba to Marseille? Neymar to Real Madrid? Fabregas to Barcelona? (Let’s hope so – not that the Serviced City Pads blog hasn’t enjoyed the crushing tedium of the “Will he, won’t he?” Cesc – Barca pantomime that has been going on and on and on…)

However, to focus so much on the players is to neglect the always entertaining managerial merry-go-round that is in full swing at the moment. There have been some great stories: McLeish to Villa, anyone? A return to management for the excellent Chris Hughton at Birmingham FC. Martin Jol returning to London to manage Fulham. Then there’s always the Serviced City Pads blog’s personal favourite, Mark Hughes high profile exit from Fulham in order to manage… no-one? All these are great stories, but they have surely been eclipsed by the one of the most audacious hirings in recent memory – Villas Boas’ move from Porto to take the reins at Chelsea FC.

At only 33 years of age, the former assistant coach to a certain Jose Mourinho looks like a risky signing. However, in his comparatively brief career he has demonstrated that he is a man to be taken seriously. He comes to Chelsea for the 2011/12 season having just led Porto to victory in the league, cup and Europa League. He is an ambitious coach who is determined to win trophies, but whilst playing good football. He is also, in stark contrast to his mentor, a modest individual who stresses the importance of unity and co-operation. He has recently described himself as “The Group One”. It is tempting to see Villas Boas as the personification of everything that the London club want to become in the next few seasons. Everyone at the club seems to recognise that now is the time for change – Chelsea’s ageing squad has become a worry, and is in need of an overhaul. They will also be hoping to gain some stability and to hopefully claim the prize that has so far eluded them: the Champions League.

However, already some are politely sceptical about this new dawn. They are asking questions such as: How long before Villas Boas has a few bad results and is pushed out the exit door (following in the footsteps of Ranieri, Mourinho, Grant, and Ancelotti)? How will the players respond to the new man, who they have known previously as Mourinho’s assistant? How many of the current Chelsea squad will still be there come the first day of the season? It’s going to be very interesting finding out the answers to these questions over the next few months.

If you’re going to be coming to London next season, perhaps you would like to stay in a serviced apartment? Serviced apartments are an excellent alternative to the usual hotel option – they offer more space and comfort and are an excellent choice for single travellers or couples right up to families and groups. You can see the range of serviced apartments available in London through our apartment operators by clicking here.

Why not get in touch with us here at Serviced City Pads and see what we can do for you? You can call us on 0844-335-8866 to talk to one of our reservations team, or you can submit an enquiry through our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that holidays in Europe are becoming too expensive for the majority of UK tourists. This may seem like a sweeping statement but there are 2 reasons to back up this argument:

1. Relative strengh of the Euro

2. Weak economic conditions in the UK

The strength of the Euro (and weakness of the Pound) has meant that when we travel to Europe our UK money buys us much less than it had done in previous years. So if you have the same amount of money to spend on your holiday in Europe it will buy less food, drink and accommodation than it had done in previous years. As the Euro strengthens it becomes increasingly affordable to stay in the UK and book a London serviced apartment, or an apartment in any other UK city, through Serviced City Pads.  

UK tourists have also claimed that many countries that are new to the Euro have taken advantage by significantly “rounding up” on many items during the conversion process. So, that has become a double whammy. A glass of wine in Paris has probably almost doubled in price over the last 5 years, and that’s before inflation is taken into account. 

Aside from a staycation in London, you may consider a hotel in Edinburgh, or a serviced apartment in Manchester. The UK has more to offer than many of it’s residents even realise.

A weak UK economy has meant that many people have either lost their jobs or become less confident about what the future may hold with their employment. This in turn has meant that rather than booking an expensive holiday abroad, maybe two weeks in Florida or Marbella, it seems like a better option to go for a short break in the UK. A city break in London is often a very popular choice as there is so much to do and see – Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, plethora of art galleries, Buckingham Palace, fantastic restaurants in London and that’s even before we mention the shops! You have saved money by booking your stay in a London serviced apartment, so you can afford to blow a few pounds in the shops of London.

Of course, the weak pound has meant that it has become cheaper for European tourists to visit London (infact all UK cities) as their Euros now buy them more than ever before. This fact has meant that more European tourists are visiting the UK than ever before, staying in serviced apartments London that have been booked through companies such as Serviced City Pads.

Serviced apartments are more popular on the continent than in the UK as they have been around for much longer as an alternative to staying in a hotel. Apartments in London are becoming a very popular form of accommodation, and maybe this is partly driven by European travellers who are comfortable with the benefits offered by staying in a serviced apartment. It’s clear that an apartment is now seen as a credible alternative to a hotel in London.

So, if you are considering staying in the UK for your 2010 holiday then booking an apartment for an extended city break in London might be the answer. This would certainly be a good value holiday and a great chance to explore your home country.

You can enjoy city breaks in many UK cities if you book your accommodation with Serviced City Pads. Why not give us a call on 0844 335 8866 and the knowledgeable reservations team will help with your booking.