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Accommodating the needs of major clients on demanding projects
The economy of the Tees Valley was built on process industries, but it is now diversifying. Agrochemicals, petrochemicals and offshore oil and gas are still important sectors, now being joined by power, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, creative industries and academia.
Over the course of nine years, at ESA we have learned to recognise what a company requires as soon as we know its name and its type of project, having successfully accommodated the requirements of many global and national corporations.
Matching accommodation to assignments
In our part of the world projects tend to be of two kinds:
1. Extensive.
The building, commissioning, testing and decommissioning of complex processing plant requires different specialists (in design, engineering, fitting and maintenance, health & safety, training etc.) arriving and leaving at different times.
We know how to phase in the supply of apartments accordingly and match people’s status to type of apartment (Elite and Essential).
2. Intensive
A film crew and cast, an R&D team or group of conference delegates can arrive at short notice requiring multiple apartments for a specific period. Does that strain our resources? Not at all. We’re all ready to mobilise.
We can create a solution by configuring accommodation as a “project apartment” for people who are happy to double up or whose occupants we can switch around. This can save money, since the charge is per apartment not per person.
Relocation
Ensuring a smooth transition
Sometimes work brings people to settle for a lengthy period or permanently in the Tees Valley. They are going to bring more than a suitcase; they may well bring their family or partner.
Apartments from ESA answer every relocation requirement, either for the whole duration of a contract or whilst the individual finds and moves into a property to buy or lease long-term.
a) For the duration ESA Elite apartments were designed to be permanent homes and we have furnished them as such. As well as two bathrooms, fully fitted kitchens, roomy bedrooms and generous living room, they provide ample storage space and secure parking, with the extra advantage of weekly housekeeping. An academic on a years’ research assignment or a manager on a 12-month secondment could live here in domestic contentment.
b) As a half-way house ESA apartments provide the above facilities to accommodate an individual and family while they take their time finding a permanent residence. Because they can live like locals, they get a genuine taste of what the town offers.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a gorgeous port and resort on the Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) about an hour’s drive or rail journey south of Barcelona. Having a population of 132,000 it has the amenities of a city combined with a village-like intimacy. Once the capital of the Roman Empire in Spain, today Tarragona is a place where history and culture are crowned with blue skies, blessed with beautiful beaches and an abundance of fine wine and cuisine. A beach called “miracle”, beside a Roman amphitheatre viewed from a terrace at the end of a Barcelona style Rambla, that’s the essence of Tarragona. Season it with the notable friendliness of the locals, and you can appreciate the wisdom of choosing an ESA apartment in this multi-layered town.
Stay in the city with so much going for it
Sitges
The business of Sitges may be pleasure, but for those with work assignments in Catalonia it is a commutable 35 mile distance from commercial capital Barcelona, making this old established resort town a relaxing place to be based. The town is full to bursting with classic art deco buildings and the seafront promenade is lined with palm trees. Its comparatively small size (28,000 inhabitants) makes it easy to get to know its quieter bars and classy restaurants – in contrast to clubs and nightlife famous Europe-wide – especially during the off-season. Having resisted mass tourism in the Fifties and Sixties, the town has a relatively few hotel rooms and doesn’t do deals with package holiday firms. All the more reason to value your ESA apartment beautifully located, contemporary ESA apartment.
Six splendid reasons to stay in Sitges
Festivals
The enviable clutch of festivals includes the Carnaval displaying Sitges’ hedonistic side, the Santa Tecia festival in September with historical parades, fireworks and human towers and in October the film festival.
Weather
Sitges’ microclimate means that it enjoys sunshine on average 300 days a year.
Travel
Sitges is only 16 miles from Barcelona international Airport and there are four trains an hours into Barcelona, journey time around 35 minutes.
Art
The town was a key location for the Modernisme movement which paved the way for Picasso, and its array of galleries and museums belie its small size.
History
In the 19th century Sitges grew to be a resort town from the fishing village which composes its historic heart. The 17th century parish church is an iconic feature whose steps afford magnificent views over the sea, to the promenade.
Beaches
There are an amazing 17 beaches – small coves, family beaches, naturist beaches, urban beaches – six of which have ISO certification for water quality, sand, cleanliness and lifeguarding.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia and Spain‘s second largest city, with a population of over one and half million. However, this beautiful city is compact enough for walking almost anywhere – from the beach which rests warmly in the Mediterranean Sea, all the way up Las Ramblas to the Placa De Catalunya which is the hub of the city centre, pausing at outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums and churches and losing yourself in medieval alleys of the Gothic Quarter. The longer you stay in your centrally situated ESA apartment, the more you’ll appreciate what an amazing combination of history, pleasure and business this exhilarating city comprises.
Why there’s no better base than Barcelona
Transport
Excellent local links – including the Metro – speed you from your ESA apartment to anywhere you have business in the Barcelona province.
Art
Many great painters and artists worked here including Picasso and Miró who have museums dedicated to some of their more important works.
Shopping
Shopping is concentrated in the centre and historical city, such as the Corte Ingles department store in Plaza Catalunya and the fashion boutiques of Bulevard Rosa.
Learning
There are eight universities in the city and two of its business schools – ESADE and IESE are amongst the 25 best in the world.
Architecture
The celebrated Gaudí made his mark on the city, from the modernist masterpiece the Sagrada Familia basilica to the magical, sculpture-filled Parc Güell.
Trade
Barcelona is the only city in Southern Europe combining one of the biggest ports on the Mediterranean with high speed rail, international airport and motorways connecting with the European network.
Business
With over 400,000 companies in the Barcelona region, it is one of the most important cities in Europe for start-ups and doing business.
Living
According to European Cities Monitor, Barcelona has held the position for “best quality of life for workers” for the last 14 years.
Eating
Sample some of the best seafood the Mediterranean at excellent restaurants, snack on tapas at great bars or graze on the produce from the 200 stalls in La Boquaria market.
Sport
The legendary Camp Nou, the second largest football stadium in the world, is home to the equally renowned FC Barcelona.
Archives
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
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
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.
