It’s rather lovely playing tourist in your own city. Walking past iconic buildings on a daily basis, we can easily forget how London is home to some rather wonderful landmarks. Aside from Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, and Buckingham Palace, our fair city boasts some of the best museums and galleries – there’s the V&A, the history museum, and the magical science museum.

And there’s always that conundrum when family members, or your out-of-towner friends who come down to the big smoke to soak up some culture, and feast on amazing food for a weekend, and you can’t accommodate them. Because your flat is the size of a downstairs cupboard, and your blowup mattress from the special buys aside in Aldi has well and truly had it. Well, we know just the place – Citadines are apartment hotels, and they’re not only super reasonable, but they’re located on the doorstep to some of London’s best attractions. Here’s what you need to know:

Citadines Apart’hotel: The Lowdown 

Citadines offer serviced apartments dotted around different parts of town. There’s one in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Barbican and South Kensington. The latter being our favourite. If you’re heading abroad soon – make sure you check their website, as they have properties all over the world. And they provide an excellent base for exploring various cities.

The Citadines property in South Kensington is ideally located for exploring the surrounding area; potter down the lush tree-lined streets to Hyde Park, drop in to the Royal Albert Hall, or sink a few glasses of rose at one of the bars close by. And there’s Knightsbridge nearby if you fancy a spot of retail therapy.

Citadines apartment hotels offers all the comforts of a hotel (check in service, great locations, mini toiletries), but they’ve gone to extra lengths to create a real home from home feel in the rooms. There’s desks for the business travellers, a kitchen for the foodies, and comfy sofas for the nap lovers, which provide welcome relief after a day of exploring. Citadines are so, so much more than a hotel.

Citadines Apart’hotel: The Accommodation

From the super quick check-in at reception, to the complimentary drinks on arrival (note: there’s a coffee machine downstairs), the whole experience feels easy, relaxed and luxe. It’s the little things along the way; the free soft drinks in the room, the speedy WiFi (not that you’ll need it, mind) and the charming staff.

The rooms make this hotel extra special, because along with all the latest mod-cons, and everything you could want out of a night’s stay, they’ve not been furnished like the normal generic hotel rooms with beige  everything. There’s floor to ceiling rich-fabric curtains, patterned walls and luxe upholstery.

The apartment hotel has three different rooms available – the Studio Deluxe is best suited for the single traveller or a couple. There’s a living and dining space, a kitchenette and the most cloud-like mattresses. If you’re a larger group, the 1 bedroom flats are the perfect option.

The bedrooms are filled with light, air and space. Many of them have wall-to-wall windows, and the modernity of the rooms is balanced by the cute touches; a mini bar and cosmetics that make you feel as it’s your own room.

Citadines Apart’hotel: Verdict 

It’s a no brainer, really. The apartments offer far more than your standard hotel room –  so if you’re tired from a day of exploring – you can rustle up something in your kitchen, and kick back on the sofa. It’s our kind of place.

For more information, visit their website. Citadines South Kensington London, 35A Gloucester Road London SW7 4PL.