Room check: Staycity Aparthotels, Greenwich

The apartment's decor was simple and contemporary, with a bee motif running throughout. Photo / Supplied

Shandelle Battersby gets a taste of big city living in a contemporary London apartment.

Getting there: You forget, in between visits, how long it takes to get anywhere in London on public transport - especially on weekends when they do maintenance on the lines. The best way from Gatwick is on the overland train, changing at London Bridge. The hotel is between the Greenwich and Deptford Bridge stations, on the Greenwich High Rd.

Check-in experience: We arrived a few hours before check-in (3pm) but happily our room was ready. After a very early morning flight from Barcelona, this was such good news we nearly cried. Reception is staffed 24 hours a day.

Room: Third-floor studio, with split twin beds, stylish bathroom with rain shower, kitchenette with dishwasher and microwave, air-conditioning, iron, hairdryer. A large flatscreen telly had gazillions of channels. We had a balcony with a large sliding door.

The decor: Simple and contemporary, with a bee motif running throughout. Staycity Aparthotels are a chain with properties in eight cities across the UK and Europe, and you can find them by searching Booking.com. If you book for seven nights, the room is cleaned mid-stay, or by arrangement for a fee. Towels are changed and rubbish collected during stays of four to six days, while no service is included for one to three nights. Extra towels are available on request, also for a fee.

Car-park? Yes (daily charge).

Price: The room is listed on Booking.com for NZ$301 a night but good discounts are offered for booking multiple nights - a three-night stay is only $709.

Free wi-fi? Yep, for multiple devices, and it was quick as a flash.

What's in the neighbourhood? Greenwich Village is a 10-minute walk, home to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park (home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Royal Observatory), and a market on Saturdays.

Toiletries: BYO, though there is a body wash dispenser in the shower.

Food and drink: If you want to cook, Tesco Express is five minutes' walk, or there are lots of restaurants nearby, including a Jamie Oliver Italian joint. There's also a chippy across the road.

Facilities: A guest laundry (hooray) with multiple washers and dryers (£2 per wash or dry, with powder included), and a room with big lockers. Complimentary cots and high chairs are available.

The bed: Very comfortable, with the offer of lighter or heavier linen if required.

A room with a view? Grey London skies, even in July, and suburban terrace housing.

Noise: Very little. The hotel is a "quiet zone" from 10pm-7am, love that.

Value for money? Absolutely.

Exercise facilities: None on site at this property but there's a gym right next door. Or go for a jog around the park.

Perfect for: A taste of what living in suburban London is actually like. Also great if you're in the city on business for a few days and want to cook and do some washing. Highly recommended.

CHECKLIST

Staycity Aparthotels' Greenwich property is at 65 Greenwich High Road, London, UK. Phone: +44 208 691 5282.