How do I go about booking an apartment?
This can be done either by phone, e-mail or our online form.
Will I receive a confirmation of my booking?
Yes, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address provided.
What is the minimum/maximum period I can book an apartment for?
Minimum one week. There is no maximum – clients have stayed with ESA for in excess of 2 years.
Can I book multiple apartments?
Certainly, we often have clients who require 5, 10 or more apartments for both national and international colleagues when undertaking large projects in the area – 25 is our record!
Can I pay on arrival?
Payment must be received prior to the apartment keys being issued. If the booking consists of multiple apartments long term then payment terms will have been agreed in advance i.e. all apartments for the entire duration need not be paid upfront!
How can I pay?
Bank transfer is our preferred method of payment, however, we do accept payment by Credit/Debit card which would incur a processing fee – depending on the amount this can be quite high!
Will I receive a refund if my plans were to change at all?
Any refunds are subject to the apartment being re-let. We try to be as flexible as possible and are often requested to alter arrival/departure dates to suit in respect of project start/end dates.
Are there any additional charges?
None what so ever. The apartments are fully inclusive of all rents, bills, Internet, Sky TV and a weekly housekeeping service – no hidden/additional costs.
Where do I collect keys for the apartment?
A personal meet & greet is carried out with every client by a member of the ESA team at a mutually agreed time prior to your arrival.
I’ll be arriving late in the evening – will this be an issue at all?
Not at all. We personally meet & greet clients at all times of the day and night in order that we know they have arrived and settled into the apartment safely.
My colleague and I will be sharing an apartment – do we have to arrive together?
We can meet & greet each Guest seperatley if desired, or place an additional set of keys in the apartment for the second Guest when carrying out the initial meet & greet.
I have additional luggage and/or hire car being delivered to the apartment prior to my arrival – is this something ESA can assist with?
We do our upmost to ensure any client requests are met – we often liase with PA’s, Project Co-ordinators, etc in respect of organising such things.
Are the apartments in quiet areas/developments?
Yes. We believe it is absolutely paramount that our Guests reside in apartments with the guarantee of uninterrupted rest.
My family will follow in a number of weeks/months – are there good schools in the area?
Most definitely. There are a range of both private and public schools catering for all ages and of very good standing.
Are the apartments close by all amenities?
Yes. We purposely source apartments within developments that are just minutes from every amenity you could think of – whether this be for health, shopping or socialising.
Are the apartments close to main transport links?
Yes. All apartments are located within minutes of the main arterial routes i.e. A19/A66, along with nearby train stations and airports.
Is there parking at the apartments and there is an extra cost for this?
Yes every location has parking at the apartments and there is no additional charge. It will either be allocated parking or a permit, which would be issued during the meet & greet on your arrival.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
No, just yourself! The apartments are fully equipped throughout.
Is there anything in the apartment on arrival by way of consumables?
We provide such things as wash/dishwasher tablets, kitchen roll, wash liquid/cloths, milk, tea, coffee, sugar to get you started (enough to last for your entire stay in some cases), along with a welcome hamper of goodies from Borrellis.
What if I require something in the apartment before/after my arrival?
We believe we have thought of everything and if not please just ask away – we want you to have the most enjoyable stay ‘home away from home’.
What if I need to extend my stay?
We will always first confirm if a Guest requires to extend their stay prior to the apartment being booked out – we understand how project dates can and do often shift.
Can I have family over to visit and are there any additional charges?
Certainly. Just let us know before they are due to arrive and we can ensure additional keys/towels, etc are placed in your apartment.
If family are visiting for a vacation there is no extra charge, however, if it is for the duration of your stay then the nightly rate may differ slightly to that which was agreed when booking the apartment.
Can I bring my dog, cat, snake to stay?
We have a no pet policy, however, do try and cater for every Guests requirements and if pets were to be permitted this may just entail an additional cleaning cost on departure.
Servicing/Maintenance
Are the apartments serviced and if so how often?
Yes, all apartments are serviced once weekly entailing a thorough clean through of the property along with a change of linen/towels, etc.
Can I request extra servicing?
Yes, this can be arranged at an additional cost. We can also remove servicing (cleaning) of the apartment and instead just change bed linen and towels – if a Guest was to be staying for a lengthy period of time we would arrange a deep clean of the apartment once every 6-8 weeks.
Who do I contact in case of any maintenance issues?
You would contact a member of the ESA team who would then make arrangements for maintenance to attend the apartment – we try and co-ordinate this with your weekly service unless the issue is urgent.
Departures
What is the procedure for checking out of the apartment?
Leading up to your scheduled departure date a member of the ESA team will contact you to ensure your check out date remains the same and make arrangements for the handing over/depositing of apartment keys.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The one and two bedroom apartments we rented were fully furnished to a high standard and with all accessories included. We also preferred the fixed cost which included all utilises, internet, Sky TV and the weekly cleaning service - no hidden extras at the end. You have also been so flexible regarding dates which helped us; in our business dates change all the time.
Derek Mckenzie, Project Manager
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.
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.