SACO The Serviced Apartment Company has unveiled its new aparthotel brand, Locke, which encapsulates the company’s ambitious plans to drive the serviced accommodation sector forward.

Created for travellers who want to experience the unique and authentic wherever they are, Locke will combine the best aspects of boutique hotels and serviced apartments to deliver an enhanced new concept that meets the needs of today’s business traveller.

Each Locke property will be designed to reflect the local neighbourhood’s culture, taking inspiration from the local area to connect guests with like-minded locals and other travellers. Guests will experience bigger live / work spaces, innovative communal areas and a hotel-style service.

The first Locke property will open on London’s Leman Street in Aldgate in October 2016, with further properties due to be rolled out across the UK and Europe from 2017 onwards.

Consisting of a total of 168 apartments, divided into 105 studios and 63 one bedroom suites, Leman Locke will also offer guests two sky meeting rooms, the Locke Gym, two bars, all day dining and large amounts of indoor / outdoor lounge area, with ultrafast wifi throughout to accommodate the modern business traveller.

Stephen Hanton, CEO, SACO, said: “The serviced apartment sector is the fastest growing part of the hospitality industry and we have developed Locke to offer today’s travellers the best of a design-led hotel experience with at-home independent living.

“SACO’s mission is to reshape hospitality, and we are continuing to develop innovative concepts, using extensive research, and feedback and involvement from thousands of our customers.”

Eric Jafari, managing director for SACO Property Group who has led the development of the Locke brand, added: “John Locke was an enlightened thinker, before his time, who challenged the status quo. With Locke, we seek to create aparthotel-anchored communities that do the same.

“Locke offers a unique take on aparthotel living. We understand that travellers no longer want just a comfortable night’s stay. They want an experience and to feel a part of a community – which is why each of our properties are designed to immerse guests in the local area.”

SACO currently operates and manages a portfolio of over 900 apartments in cities across the UK, and offers over 35,000 apartments across 220 key destinations in 50 countries through carefully selected partners. - TradeArabia News Service