UK
Spain
Case Studies
What it’s like to stay the ESA way
What it’s like to stay the ESA way
Often the best way to understand the advantages of an ESA apartment is to share the experience of companies from outside North East England who have sent project teams here to work on site, or companies in the North East who have brought in experts from around the world.
Air Products
Air Products is a world leading industrial gases company headquartered in Pennsylvania. In 2013 it arrived on our doorstep in the person of Robert Piner, Commissioning Manager for an advanced plasma gasification energy-from-waste facility about to be built north of the Tees.
Delighted with the month’s accommodation we provided in Yarm, close to great shopping, tempting eating places and welcoming pubs, he was quickly followed by two key team members who made themselves at home in Elite serviced apartments.
Before the year’s end the number grew to a dozen on 6 or 12 month contracts. During 2014 we added ten more apartments. As one engineer completed an assignment, his place would be taken in the Air Products “village” by another from the USA, Holland, China, Canada – often at short notice, sometimes with family.
To keep this fast-changing scene running smoothly, ESA’s Katrina Rosser met the company’s two project coordinators regularly, and was on hand 24/7 to respond to requests. “Can you find a local school for our two boys for a year?” Naturally. All part of the service for Elite Serviced Apartments.
“The apartments are located in the heart of Yarm, with easy access to local restaurants, pubs and shopping, yet surprisingly secluded, affording privacy and solitude if desired. The apartments are clean and nicely furnished, and all members of staff are professional, cooperative and hospitable.”
Robert Piner, Commissioning Manager, Air Products & Chemicals
Tecnicas Reunidas
As soon as the starting signal was given in July 2016 for construction of the world’s largest biomass fuelled power station in Teesport, the Madrid based contractors Tecnicas Reunidas began to mobilise key people.
“Having once spent 10 months in a hotel on an assignment,” says Michelle Hodgkinson, Project Support, “I wanted a better experience for these high level managers. The question was, could suitable serviced apartments be found in time?”
She turned to ESA. Katrina Rosser responded by organising apartments close together in Yarm for eight executives from Spain and one from Portugal. The last member of the advance party gave notice of arrival from Pakistan on 29th December. By New Year’s Day he was opening his welcome hamper in Yarm.
“They love it,” says Michelle. “They think the apartments are gorgeous. They feel relaxed. They can cook when they want, bring their wives. It’s like a Spanish community.”
The company’s need is ongoing. As construction advances, more specialists will arrive, building up to around 22 people, all of them living in a lively country town just half an hour’s drive from the industrial site where this innovative, environmentally friendly plant has begun to arise.
“Katrina has been absolutely fabulous, really professional, hard working and friendly. Everyone want to be here. It’s a home from home.” Michelle Hodgkinson, Project Support
Able UK
When a towering offshore drilling platform docks for major upgrade or refurbishment at Able Seaton Port, Hartlepool, the pressure is on. The rigs belong to global enterprises who bring in specialists to carry out the work to exacting timetables in rigorous conditions.
“When they’re away from site they need an environment where they can relax from the pressures,” says Paul Connally of Able UK, the Port owners. “We want our clients’ people to live a normal life, and that’s exactly what ESA enables them to do – in style. They’d go crazy in a hotel”
Over the past four years, again and again, he’ll inform Katrina Rosser that the project team are being mobilised from America and around the world. Often he can give just one or two weeks’ notice of their arrival. As many as 15 or 16 people may need serviced apartments at any one time. The record so far is 20.
“Katrina is very accessible and responsive; she knows our needs” says Paul. “The apartments are very high quality. And just as important they’re in high quality locations where people can expect peace and quiet. “
That’s what awaits just minutes away at Hartlepool Marina. Two bedroomed apartments can accommodate two people comfortably – and economically, too, since charges are per apartment, not per person. For extra flexibility, ESA can offer Elite apartments for managers and Essential for engineers carrying out the work.
“We want our clients’ people to live a normal life, and that’s exactly what ESA enables them to do – in style. They’d go crazy in a hotel”. Paul Connally, Project Management.
10 reasons why an ESA apartment is
superior to a hotel stay
1. Make significant savings
On average serviced apartments are more than 30% cheaper than staying in a hotel room of equivalent quality. The international Association of Serviced Apartment Providers rate ESA apartments “Very Good to Excellent”, comparable to a 4-5 star hotel rating. There is scope for further economies if a two bedroom apartment is occupied by two people on the same project. That’s because the price is based per apartment not per person.
2. Feel at home
When you step into an ESA apartment, you feel at home, not just a guest. With separate bedrooms, living space and kitchen – fully furnished and equipped throughout – you can divide up your time and activities in the natural way you would at home. As a member of the global Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, we adhere to their standards of accommodation, customer service, comfort, privacy, value for money and safety.
3. Eat as you please
Your kitchen is fully fitted and equipped (including dishwasher) to the high standards you would expect at home, so you can cook as you would at home - whether it’s to entertain colleagues or clients, make a quick fresh snack or a favourite breakfast. For convenience, we can arrange meals to make with pre-prepared ingredients.
4. Enjoy independence
As a resident with your own front door, you have the freedom to work, relax or have a meeting whenever you please. The longer you stay the more important it is to have your own space instead of having to go out to escape the boredom of living in one room for months. Quietness is a key feature of our apartments, so you can enjoy uninterrupted privacy to the full.
5. Be entertained
Coming home from a demanding day on site, you can spread yourself across your living room sofa and immerse yourself in all that the latest and best in home entertainment technology can provide - unlimited high speed Wi-Fi, Smart TV and Sky Max, an array which is continually upgraded.
6. Live like a local
When living in another city, region or country, it’s good to have authentic experiences to remember. As an ESA apartment resident you get more than a taste of local life, you share in it. Elite Apartments are in central, sought-after but secluded spots within real communities. By shopping, eating-out, drinking and relaxing as locals do you get to know them and their culture. Instead of room service, an experience of real life.
7. Have family to stay
Naturally, when people are working away for long periods, what they miss most is family life. ESA apartments have two or more bedrooms plus bathrooms; and they are spacious. Family members have freedom to be themselves when they come to visit for however long, or stay there whilst seeking a permanent home - flexibility no hotel can offer.
8. Parking and transport solved
It’s good to have you own car to get to and from the project site, do business around the area or get away to the beautiful places nearby. So it’s good to know you have a designated, secure parking space right beside your building. Residents appreciate the fact that ESA apartments are situated strategically for fast access to main road, rail and air links.
9. Tailor provision to needs
Until we get the call, we seldom know how many people a company wants to send, when or for how long. But we do know we have the resources to accommodate whatever is demanded. What’s more, we recognise the advantages of keeping company staff together by providing multiple apartments in same location. Living in a “village”, people work better because they can relax together.
10. Feel fully supported
When new residents arrive, we welcome them individually, show them round, demonstrate how everything works and give them inside information about making the most of the locality. Throughout their stay, we take care of the cleaning and change of bedlinen and are on-call 24/7 with help and answers to any questions or requests that come up. With ESA it’s personal.
Our Clients
View All Testimonials
Several expats have found a great start to their assignments living in the very high standard apartments provided by Elite Serviced Apartments. The management of ESA has been very helpful in “getting around” in the area for people from various nationalities.
John Bruijnooge, Site Director
Our Locations
Read More
Yarm
Historic Yarm is splendidly situated on either side of the broad, cobbled thoroughfare voted BBC High Street of the Year in 2007 for its exciting variety of quality shops, cafés and pubs.
Middlesbrough
At the centre of the Tees Valley, Middlesbrough is its biggest town. Victorian grandeur is complemented by innovative architecture, It’s a fine and welcoming place to live and visit.
FAQs View All FAQs
Has there been any request you’ve been unable to meet?
Posted by indigo on April 20, 2017
Not up to now. We have received serviced apartment requests at short notice for as many as 41 international visitors and we have delivered within a week.
Do you let apartments for holidays?
Posted by indigo on
No, they are exclusively for use by professionals away on business who do not tolerate the signs of wear and tear inevitable in a holiday let.
What is the maximum number of apartments you can supply at once?
Posted by indigo on
Our resources are scalable. In addition to apartments which we own or are on permanent lease, we have reliable local developers who meet our standards. Our record so far is 36 at a time.
What can you tell me about the locality where I’ll be living?
Posted by indigo on
Every apartment has a folder with helpful general facts about doctors, schools, police, tourist attractions, cafes etc., but we plan to upgrade this to information accessed on a tablet and specific to an individual’s profile e.g. For a health and fitness fan – local gym, physio, cycle routes, sports venues, organic eating.
Can you help with food?
Posted by indigo on
Apartments are self-catering, but residents in Elite apartments get started with a Welcome Hamper, and we can make eating-in easy with “Hello Fresh”, book caterers for special occasions and recommend local eateries and delivery services.
What do you need to know in order for us to make a reservation?
Posted by indigo on
Just give us a list of names, arrival/departure dates and preferred location. It’s all we need to know to mobilise the solution complete in every detail.
Do ESA apartments match our company policy on the environment?
Posted by indigo on
The apartments we own or lease comply with high standards of environmental management regarding energy consumption, waste handling and material sourcing.
What do you mean by “serviced”?
Posted by indigo on April 11, 2017
Fully Inclusive of all utility bills along with housekeeping service. All apartments have undergone a thorough deep clean before a new resident arrives. After that, Elite apartments get a weekly service – dusting, vacuuming, washing-up, bathroom clean-down and bedlinen, towel and bathmat change. Essential apartments have a weekly towel/bedlinen change.
What happens when I arrive?
Posted by indigo on
Once we’ve agreed a time, we meet and greet you personally at the door, show you round, demonstrate how all the appliances work, connect you up to the internet and give you the keys and answer any queries about the apartment and the area.
Do you charge per apartment or per person?
Posted by indigo on
Per apartment. This means another member of the project team can share or family or partner come to stay without any extra charge.
Is there a standard charge or can we make individual arrangements?
Posted by indigo on
Elite apartments start at £90 per night and Essential apartments at £60 a night, for multiple apartments occupied by the same company for periods in excess of one month.
What’s the shortest and longest time I can stay in an ESA apartment?
Posted by indigo on
The advantages over a hotel become apparent after nightly stays, so that’s the minimum. There’s no set maximum because we’ve known on-site projects to last for as long as three years.
