First there were hotels, where you could enjoy a warm glass of wine from a toothpaste glass while sitting on the end of your bed. Then came Airbnb, where that glass of wine could now be chilled and from a real glass but you were still in someone else’s house, which can be off-putting.

Now there is Bermonds Locke in London’s glittering Bermondsey (other Lockes are available in Edinburgh, Manchester, across London), where, instead of getting a room, you get a mini-apartment kitted out with a fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, cooker and all the bits that go with it. But it still feels like a gorgeous hotel!

So you can not only be drinking your chilled wine on a sofa from a nice glass, you can also have a load of whites on and something ready for the microwave (oh, we forgot to mention microwave) while you’re at it. Not that you’ll want to stay in your room/apartment, beautifully designed as it is with great views of The Shard from the back. Not when downstairs is Bermondsey Larder, by Robin and Sarah Gill off-of The Dairy fame, yes that The Dairy, the restaurant that made a name for itself down in Clapham. And a coworking space where you can get stuff done. And a coffee bar (where they serve wine!)

Basically, the Locke concept is a home away from home, only maybe even nicer than your real home. And that makes it perfect not just for holidays (making your own dinner before you go out! Cooking your own breakfast! Heaven!) but for work trips, extended stays, even that period between selling your house and waiting for your new one to be ready. In fact, they reckon their average stay is in the 40 nights plus range, with great deals on an already great price the longer you stay.

As for the look of the place, well… just drink in those pictures, why don’t you?

lockeliving.com