Does the thought of leaving your pet at home while you go away for a few days fill you with dread? Whether you’re on business or pleasure, luxury serviced apartment STAY in Camden now welcomes four-legged friends with open arms, and they’ve just partnered with pet food producer The Innocent Hound to make your life on the road a little bit easier.

Brits have always been a pet-loving nation, and no doubt they had grown closer to their pets in lockdown when most had to stay home. Therefore, having your dog or cat travel and stay with you is ever more important. And with a trip to STAY in Camden, it’s reassuring that your four-legged pal will be looked after and relish in the comforts of home while you work, rest and play.

I went along to find out exactly what your pet (and you) can look forward to at one of their six-category apartments.

STAY
Stray is located in Camden’s tourist mecca, a five-minute stroll from the tube station. But it’s pleasantly tucked away on the edge of Hawley locks behind a wrought iron gate to provide you with a sense of peace and privacy.

They say first impressions are everything, and mine spoke volumes when a dog owner exiting the entrance was met with resistance from his seriously cute pooch, who seemed reluctant to leave the premises as it dug its paws into the pavement. This place must be good, I thought, smiling.

The sleek scandi-style spacious lobby, with its neutral colours amidst the comfy seating area teamed with plenty of light flooding in, evoked a sense of calm and tranquillity. Check-in was a no-fuss, swift, and thorough affair, and I was promptly directed to my designated apartment.

Despite the modest brick-walled exterior of the building, the 169 serviced apartments are nothing short of spectacular. Ranging from classic and premium, guests can choose from one, two- or three bedroom apartments depending on their needs and length of stay (minimum stay is seven days). All come with a fully equipped kitchen complete with a dishwasher, electric hob, a separate hob and microwave.

And if you’re a fan of mod cons and can’t live without gadgets, brace yourself. A virtual concierge in the shape of room tablets, interactive smart TVs and speakers will sprinkle that little bit of extra luxury during your stay.

My premium two-bedroom apartment had all of this and more. The tastefully decorated lobby area continued to this apartment with chic accessories to match the neutral styling and, most importantly, plenty of light.

The master bedroom, with its ensuite complete with a separate shower and a deep sunken bathtub and ample storage space, is ideal for moving in permanently.

While the second bedroom with twin beds would lend itself perfectly for those travelling as a family, further storage space in the hallway, including a cupboard with a washing machine, iron and ironing board, makes for a comfortable long-term stay.

The two balconies allowed me to get enough fresh air without as much leaving the apartment.

The Innocent Hound London
It was a shame not to have been able to share it with my friend Jo’s Dalmation Dandy. He wasn’t in the best of health during my visit, but I knew he would have loved the space to roam around in.

As part of the collaboration with The Innocent Hound, on-arrival pets are catered for by way of handmade treats and beautifully handcrafted toys.

The pet food manufacturer based in Wetherby is known for their award-winning, air-dried food and treats that are handcrafted using high-quality, responsibly sourced British meats. And STAY can also provide guests with dog or cat beds tailored to the size of their pampered pet for the duration of their stay.

STAY staff told me guests have told them their pets enjoy people watching out of the floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies.

To allow pets plenty of fresh air (unless it’s the said dog upon my arrival), the collaboration includes a dog-friendly neighbourhood guide which highlights the best walks, stores and restaurants that welcome dogs in the Camden area. Now that would get most pets’ tails wagging.

Doing their bit in COVID
STAY attracts a broad range of clients owing to its business model of being able to cater for long-term stays. STAY remained open throughout the pandemic, supporting long-stay guests and essential business travellers.

Towards the very beginning of the pandemic, the company decided to allocate as many apartments as they could for key workers working on the frontline. Complimentary accommodation for those who needed a safe place to rest closer to work or who needed to protect vulnerable family members were provided.

LABS
STAY is connected to the LABS workspace via an internal door to allow business travellers to work in a dedicated workspace while on the move.

The building, like its many other locations in and around London as well as overseas, offers in-house amenities such as tech-savvy meeting rooms, private and semi-private booths, ample open-space workstations and spacious breakout lounges and kitchens.

You can keep your fitness productivity up at the fully equipped gym with showers and secure bike storage if you prefer to get your fitness-fill in the fresh air.

LABS co-working office spaces are not just exclusive to STAY guests or those looking for longer-term solutions. For those looking for a change of scenery but don’t require a private space, a LABS Day Pass offers access to the beautifully designed breakout lounges as well as the use of the building facilities for just £30 +VAT per day.

The place had such a lovely warm vibe that I felt compelled to use it for a few hours during my stay. I even had the company of a four-legged pooch who decided to snooze by my feet. He certainly had no intentions of working.

STAY Camden is a great luxury getaway that combines the luxury of a boutique hotel with weekly cleaning, a friendly front office team and 24-hour security with home comforts.

Its contemporary space and design make it ideal for long-term business stays or families wanting a break. Whether you decide to stay in or venture out, you or your pet will never be short of exciting places to visit or things to do.

STAY – Where and How?

STAY is in Hawley Wharf, 1 Water Lane, NW1 8NZ. Prices start from £244.80 per night for a Classic One Bedroom apartment. A minimum of seven days is required. For bookings, contact the STAY reservations team directly by phone, email or enquiry form by visiting www.stay.com.

To learn more about flexible contracts at LABS, contact the sales team via sales@labs.com.

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