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Slow travel is the dominant travel trend of 2026. Travellers are deliberately choosing fewer destinations, staying longer, and seeking accommodation that offers more than just a bed for the night. For anyone planning an extended stay in London, the South Bank is one of the city's most compelling bases — and Stow Away Waterloo is built precisely for this kind of trip.
Slow travel means spending real time in one place, building a routine, and exploring at your own pace rather than racing through a checklist. It's less about ticking off landmarks and more about living in a city.
The numbers back it up. According to Google's 2026 travel trends data and KAYAK's "What the Future" report, searches for "slow travel" and "month-long hotel stay" are surging globally. Almost 60% of Gen Z and Millennial travellers took at least two holidays of five nights or more in 2025, with plans to travel more in 2026 focused on wellness and meaningful experiences. A growing number now identify as "slowmads", settling in one location for two to three months. The appeal is simple: slow travel means coming home restored rather than depleted.
London is a city that reveals itself over time. Beneath the headline attractions — the Thames, Big Ben, the South Bank — lies a city of neighbourhoods, markets, and cultural venues you simply won't discover on a two-night visit.
The South Bank alone is a world unto itself. The National Theatre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and the BFI IMAX are all within walking distance. The Royal Festival Hall hosts a famous food market, while Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square are just a short stroll away. For those seeking a hotel in Waterloo, London, this is arguably the best postcode in the city — well-connected, surrounded by culture, and right on the river.
If slow travel is a mindset, Stow Away is the physical embodiment of it. The Stow Away Waterloo aparthotel is designed for guests who want to settle in, live well, and genuinely experience the city, making it one of the most practical options for long-stay hotels in London.
Each serviced studio apartment comes fully equipped with a kitchenette, super king-sized bed, blackout blinds, air conditioning, walk-in shower, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The aparthotel Waterloo format gives you the independence of your own flat with the comfort of a hotel — ideal for extended stays. And the longer you book, the better the rate: Stow Away's stay-longer, pay-less pricing makes it one of the most cost-effective choices for an extended stay hotel in London.
A key motivation behind slow travel is sustainability — fewer flights, less constant transport, and a smaller carbon footprint. These values align perfectly with what Stow Away Waterloo was built on.
The building is constructed from 26 repurposed shipping containers — both an architectural statement and a genuine commitment to eco-responsibility. Solar panels feed surplus energy back into the national grid, and energy-recycling systems minimise waste throughout. According to Booking.com's Sustainable Travel Report, 78% of travellers plan to stay in at least one eco-friendly property in the near future. For guests who care about their impact, Stow Away delivers.
Part of what makes a longer stay feel like a lifestyle rather than a holiday is having a great local spot. At Stow Away Waterloo, that's Unwined Waterloo — a distinctive independent wine bar on the ground floor with a carefully curated selection of wines from around the world.
Unwined isn't a hotel restaurant in the traditional sense. It's a proper neighbourhood wine bar that happens to sit right below your room. Seasonally changing menus are designed to pair perfectly with the wine list, and the relaxed, cosy atmosphere makes it easy to feel like a local from day one. Whether you're winding down after a day on the South Bank or catching up with a friend, Unwined makes an extended stay feel like a genuine London experience.
The honest answer is almost anyone. Remote workers and digital nomads are obvious candidates for long-stay hotels, but slow travel suits anyone craving a richer experience of the city. Professionals on contract, families wanting space to cook and relax, or travellers who want real time in one of the world's greatest cities — the aparthotel Waterloo model fits them all.
Ready to slow down and stay longer? Explore rooms and rates at stow-away.co.uk.