The convenience starts with the booking process. visionapartments.com gives me a quick overview of the apartments available in Zurich. It’s amazing that there are over 600 apartments at 14 different top locations in the city in Zurich alone. As I was looking for a very central apartment and have a limited budget, I chose the property in Militärstrasse. I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to navigating through the property too: there are so many residential units in different sizes and styles. I can get all the information I need online, and the beautiful images give me a great impression of my new home before I leave. The booking process is simple and quick, too. I receive written confirmation almost immediately and can fly to Zurich with peace of mind. When I arrived in Zurich, I was impressed by the airport and the rapid local rail connection to the city centre. And once I reached Zurich’s main train station, I was flabbergasted: VISIONAPARTMENTS in Militärstrasse is just around the corner – it only takes me five minutes to walk there. They sent me the access code both by text message and e-mail. I don’t need to go through a complicated and time-consuming check-in process here like in hotels on other business trips. The key code works for both the main entrance and my apartment. Wow, it’s like being on holiday. With my Greek roots, I simply had to choose an apartment in the “Aegean Mood” style. The photos on the website didn’t lie. The apartment looks like it has never been lived in before. Everything is bright, coordinated, spacious and functional – I feel at home instantly. And, as a gourmet, I love that the kitchen is fully equipped with everything I need. That means I can cook something delicious whenever I want or even invite friends to dinner. The multilingual Welcome Brochure gives me a clear and concise guide for my stay.
As I work for a major international corporation that book a large volume of stays with VISIONAPARTMENTS during the year, I have automatic membership in the VIP programme. That means I not only get drinks and snacks, there are also international magazines waiting for me in the apartment. It also gives me access to VIP lounges, fitness and wellness facilities in Zurich, and I am frequently invited to events large and small. If I need it, I can even use a free laundry service or enjoy limousine service to Zurich Airport when I am leaving. I have a personal contact that I can get in touch at any time. The Local Office, the serviced apartments providers’ main port of call in Zurich, is also just a short walk away. The apartment really has everything I need to live. As the European Football Championships are on at the moment and I am a big football fan, I am delighted to have a flatscreen TV with countless international channels. Like that, I don’t have to miss a game after work. If I need a change of scenery, I just choose one of the many bars nearby and watch the match while sipping a drink. The Internet connection in the apartment (the access data was also mailed to me before my arrival – how convenient) also works perfectly, and I can even upgrade for more power and speed if I need it. My apartment is cleaned once a week. The towels and bedclothes are changed several times. I often meet the cleaning ladies in the corridors or in the staircase. They are very friendly and always willing to help. For example, once I was able to pick up fresh towels right in the corridor. There are also laundry rooms in the building’s basement, and I can use them whenever I want. I keep fit in the residents-only state-of-the-art fitness centre on the property. I regularly meet interesting people there. Most are international business travellers staying Zurich temporarily, like me. Shared offices have also just opened on the ground floor. As a VIP customer, I can use them free of charge at any time. It’s a welcome change to everyday office life for me, allowing me to work conveniently from “home”. Of course, I can easily do so in my own apartment, with its comfortable desk. However, I prefer going down to the shared offices: It gives me an opportunity to meet interesting and creative people, and can chat about this and that with them at the coffee bar. Besides, my accommodation in Militärstrasse is in a very diverse district. The area is full of bars, restaurants and shops. The famous Bahnhofstrasse is just a few minutes’ walk from here, and the nearest tram and bus stops are just around the corner. I can also reach the lively Langstrasse in just a few minutes. If I want to get away from it all, there is a little park just across the road, and when I look at the fantastic view of Uetliberg, Zurich’s local mountain, I forget that I am in the heart of a pulsating metropolis. My two month stay in Zurich is going great. As I have everything I need, I can concentrate 100% on my projects. I’ll consider VISIONAPARTMENTS for any trips I make in future, too. They have buildings like this throughout the German-speaking countries and I can even book similar apartments around the world thanks to the international serviced apartment partner network. I’m really enjoying my very first serviced apartment experience!
Nikos Thomdopoulos, 39, IT consultant from Thessaloniki, Greece.