Comparing Private Student Accommodations Providers in London

When selecting your accommodation for a semester stay in your study city, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate all available choices. As a student, your priorities are comfort, convenience, and a smooth living experience that complements your academic journey. 

Whilst shared student houses, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and popular accommodation platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com have their merits, they often require compromises, leading to reduced comfort or convenience. Student Luxe, however, guarantees an extraordinary experience for a semester stay, ensuring that you can fully concentrate on your studies and create cherished memories in your new home away from home. In this exploration, we will carefully examine these various options, weighing their pros and cons, enabling you to make an informed decision that perfectly suits your needs.

Option 1: Student Luxe - Unmatched Luxury and Convenience

Pros:

• Prime Locations near Universities: Student Luxe boasts luxurious apartments strategically located close to universities, offering easy access to academic facilities and campus life.

• All-Inclusive Bills: With Student Luxe, all your bills are covered in one convenient package, making budgeting a breeze and providing peace of mind.

• Flexible Stays & Contracts: Student Luxe understands the varying needs of students and provides customisable contracts, catering to both short-term and long-term stays.

• No UK Guarantor Required: Unlike many other providers, Student Luxe eliminates the need for a UK guarantor, streamlining the booking process for both domestic and international students.

• Security: As we know, one of the biggest concerns a parent has before sending their children to live abroad is their safety. Is the area safe? Is the building safe? Who else is living in the building? What does my child do if they need assistance outside of office hours? Student Luxe offers a variety of apartment types often with a 24/7 reception team, CCTV security or a concierge service for additional peace of mind. 

• Dedicated Experience Manager: Each Student Luxe guest is assigned a dedicated experience manager, ensuring personalised assistance throughout your stay.

• Fast WiFi & High-Quality Entertainment: Stay connected with fast WiFi and enjoy the latest 4K or High Definition TVs for optimal entertainment options.

• Fully-Equipped Kitchens & Workspaces: Student Luxe apartments come with fully-equipped kitchens - that means, all plates, cutlery, pots & pans are provided so no need to shop for kitchenware beforehand, allowing you to prepare meals conveniently. Additionally, dedicated workspaces allow you to study comfortably from home.

• Weekly Housekeeping: Our housekeeping team will come and clean your entire apartment and they’ll replace your bedding and towels with lovely fresh sheets and towels each week, so you can focus on your studies while maintaining a clean and organised living space.

• Replenished Essentials: Student Luxe goes the extra mile by providing replenished essentials such as toilet roll, soap, shampoo / conditioner, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, just like you’re staying in a hotel (but this time you have your own private kitchen!), ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Cons:

• Premium Pricing: As with many things in life, you get what you pay for, and Student Luxe apartments are no exception. Our apartments will always meet strict criteria which include proximity to your university, quality of apartment or building, size and amenities to name but a few. These benefits and services come with a price tag, but do keep in mind the saving on time and money vs having to pay your own bills, buy kitchen and bathroom equipment, plus bedding and towels. These all cost money and take time to purchase, plus what do you do with it all when you leave after what might be a short stay?

Option 2: Shared Student Houses - Balancing Social and Independent Living

Pros:

• Social Experience: Sharing a student house with peers can foster a vibrant social environment, offering opportunities to build lasting friendships.

• Cost Sharing: Rent and bills are divided among housemates, reducing individual expenses.

• Independence: Living in a shared house allows for greater independence and a sense of adulthood.

Cons:

• Location Variability: Student houses may not always be situated close to universities, resulting in longer commutes and higher travel costs.

• Responsibility Conflicts: Differing priorities and living habits among housemates can lead to conflicts and discomfort. No one wants to do someone else’s washing up and there’s nothing worse than going to the fridge looking forward to your finest orange juice, to find that one of your flatmates has finished it!

• Inconsistent Amenities: Shared houses may lack certain amenities found in other accommodation options. Maintenance risks, typically, private landlords may be slower to respond to maintenance issues.

• No Dedicated Account Manager: There’s no one person to speak to about your booking. Just a general support email. Lacking personal contact to help find the perfect apartment.

Option 3: Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSAs) - A Balanced Choice

Pros:

• Modern Shared Amenities: PBSAs often feature modern amenities, including study areas, communal spaces, and recreational facilities.

• All-Inclusive Options: Most PBSAs offer all-inclusive packages, simplifying the billing process for students.

Cons:

• Size: While not as expensive as luxury private apartments, Purpose Built Student Accommodation will always be smaller than private apartments.   

• Limited Flexibility: PBSAs will  have fixed contracts and limited customisation options compared to Student Luxe's flexible approach.

• No Housekeeping Included: Whilst some PBSA providers will clean the communal building areas, they will not offer complimentary weekly cleaning of the entire apartment. Nor will they provide fresh bedding and towels each week when the cleaner visits. So, you’ll need to bring / buy your own bedding & towels. Then take it all back home, or leave it behind!

• No Kitchen Equipment: Most PBSA’s will provide kitchens with empty cupboards and drawers! So you’ll need to buy all of your own kitchen equipment and then leave it at the end of your stay, which is then disposed of by the building management. Not very environmentally friendly!

• No Dedicated Account Manager: There’s no one person to speak to about your booking. Just a general support email. Lacking personal contact to help find the perfect apartment

Option 4: Airbnb - Flexible but Inconsistent

Pros:

• Flexible Check-In & Check-Out: With Airbnb, you have the freedom to choose check-in and check-out dates that align with your study schedule. 

• Wide Variety of Options: Airbnb offers a diverse range of accommodation in most cities across the world, from private rooms to entire apartments, allowing you to find something that suits your preferences and budget.

• Unique Experiences: Staying in an Airbnb can provide a more authentic and local experience, immersing you in the culture of your study city.

Cons:

• Cleaning and Service Fees: Many Airbnb listings come with additional cleaning and service fees, which can significantly increase the overall cost of your stay.

• Price: Airbnb rentals will typically be highly priced, due to the short term nature of these bookings.

• Limited Long Term Availability: Availability is typically for short stays, so most places will be booked up for short periods over the year. Preventing a semester or even longer bookings.

• Inconsistent Cleaning: Unlike dedicated student accommodation, Airbnb properties might not be cleaned as regularly or thoroughly, potentially impacting your living comfort. Most Airbnbs are cleaned pre and post check in, so will not offer the luxury of a weekly clean.

• No Replenished Essentials: Airbnb hosts typically do not provide replenished essentials like towels, linens, or other daily necessities, requiring you to purchase or bring them yourself.

• Unpredictable Host Quality: Since Airbnb is not managed professionally, the quality of hosts and accommodations can vary significantly. There is a risk of getting a bad host, resulting in an inconsistent experience.

• No Dedicated Account Manager: There’s no one person to speak to about your booking. Just a general support email. Lacking personal contact to help find the perfect apartment.

Option 5 : Booking.com - Similar to Airbnb with Broader Options

Pros:

• Wide Selection: Booking.com offers a vast array of accommodations, including hotels, hostels, apartments, and more, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

• Flexible Booking: Similar to Airbnb, Booking.com allows you to select check-in and check-out dates that fit your study schedule.

• Competitive Pricing: With numerous accommodation providers competing on the platform, you might find some great deals and competitive pricing.

Cons:

• Cleaning and Service Fees: Just like Airbnb, Booking.com might have additional cleaning and service fees, impacting the overall cost of your stay.

• Inconsistent Cleaning and Maintenance: Since the properties listed on Booking.com come from various hosts and providers, the cleanliness and maintenance standards can vary.

• Limited Long Term Availability: Availability is typically for short stays, so most places will be booked up for short periods over the year. Preventing a semester or even longer bookings.

• No Replenished Essentials: Like Airbnb, Booking.com accommodations might not provide replenished essentials, requiring you to manage your supplies during your stay.

• Limited Host Accountability: Unlike professionally managed student accommodations, Booking.com hosts might not be held to the same level of accountability, leading to potential issues or unmet expectations.

• No Dedicated Account Manager: There’s no one person to speak to about your booking. Just a general support email. Lacking personal contact to help find the perfect apartment.

Whilst PBSA may feature varying modern amenities that can enhance your stay, or platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com offer flexibility and diverse accommodation options, all come with certain drawbacks that can impact your overall experience during your semester stay. PBSA and shared student houses may have fixed contracts and limited customisation options whilst these accommodation platforms lack the professional management, services and support provided by Student Luxe, leading to inconsistencies in cleanliness, maintenance, equipment, replenished essentials, and host reliability.

On the other hand, Student Luxe offers the best of both worlds, combining luxurious accommodations with convenient services designed specifically for students. With prime locations, all-inclusive packages, flexible stays, no need for a UK guarantor, dedicated support, fast WiFi, fully-equipped amenities, weekly housekeeping, and replenished essentials, Student Luxe stands as the superior choice for discerning students.

Choose Student Luxe to elevate your semester experience, ensuring safety, comfort, convenience, and a supportive living environment that enhances your academic journey. Book your luxury apartment now and secure the perfect home for your studies.