Slow travel means staying longer in one place instead of rushing between destinations, and it is one of the biggest travel trends of 2026, driven by remote work, workcations and a desire for deeper experiences. The best long stay hotels London has to offer are aparthotels, because they combine hotel service with apartment living, and Stow Away Waterloo is a leading example: an award-winning eco aparthotel built from 26 recycled shipping containers, with serviced studio apartments that include a kitchenette, super king-sized bed, free high-speed Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Guests searching for hotels in Waterloo or extended stay hotels London will find Stow Away moments from the South Bank, the London Eye and Waterloo Station, with the UnWined wine bar on the ground floor and “stay longer, pay less” rates for extended bookings.
Travel has changed. The whistle-stop city break is losing ground. In its place, people are booking longer, slower trips.
The numbers back this up. Barclays consumer data shows UK travel spending rose in 2025, with workcations now firmly mainstream. Airbnb has reported that almost 20% of its bookings were for stays of more than 28 days. American Express research found that 72% of global travellers plan to extend their trips by three to four days or more.
Why the shift? Remote work is the big one. If you can work from anywhere, why not work from somewhere brilliant? Add in “micro-retirements”, bleisure trips and a growing dislike of burnout travel, and the picture is clear. Industry data shows average length of stay is rising, and mid-week, work-from-anywhere bookings are climbing too.
Travellers want depth, not a checklist. They want to live in a city, not just tick it off.
Few cities reward a long stay like London. You could spend a month here and barely scratch the surface. Museums, markets, theatres, riverside walks, hidden pubs. There is always another layer.
The catch? Where to stay. Standard hotel rooms feel cramped after a few nights. Rentals lack service and security. This is where extended stay hotels in London come into their own. And when it comes to hotels in Waterloo, one property was built for exactly this kind of trip.
Stow Away is an award-winning eco aparthotel in Waterloo, right in the heart of London's cultural district. It was created from 26 recycled and repurposed shipping containers. Solar panels on the roof feed excess power back to the national grid. Smart heating and hot water systems recycle energy throughout the building.
So, if you care about how you travel, not just where, Stow Away Waterloo delivers. Sustainability is one of the defining travel trends of 2026, and this aparthotel in Waterloo was ahead of the curve.
Every serviced studio apartment is designed for both short breaks and long stays. Each one includes:
That kitchenette matters. It is the difference between a hotel room and a home. For anyone comparing long stay hotels in London, self-catering plus daily hotel comforts is the winning formula. Even better, Stow Away offers “stay longer, pay less” rates, so extended stays cost less per night.
Slow travel is about becoming a regular somewhere. At Stow Away, your local is on the ground floor.
UnWined Waterloo is the hotel's resident wine bar. It serves an unusual and exciting range of wines from around the world, paired with fresh dishes from critically acclaimed guest chefs. The friendly UnWined team will happily guide you to a bottle you will love. After a day of exploring, or a long stretch of emails, it is the perfect place to unwind.
Location is where hotels Waterloo London options really shine, and Stow Away sits in a prime spot. The South Bank is moments away. The London Eye, the National Theatre, the BFI IMAX, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe are all close by. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square are within an easy walk or bike ride. TfL cycles sit right outside the front door.
For workcationers, Waterloo Station connects you to the whole city and beyond in minutes.
The trend is clear. Longer trips, deeper experiences, smarter stays. If you are searching for hotels in Waterloo England that are built for the way we travel now, StowAway Waterloo is ready for you. Book direct to save, stay longer and pay less.