What is meant by Serviced Accommodation?
Serviced Accommodations or serviced apartments have been around for a while, it’s just that people haven’t realized the impact made for over a decade.
The term “Serviced Apartment” is used for a specific type of rented accommodation where the place is furnished, providing housekeeping and other services. Usually taxes and utilities are also included in the rental price. Serviced Apartments are available for both long-term and short-term stays.
The facilities offered by serviced accommodations are very much the same as traditional hotel but in a larger scale. You will have added space, convenience and privacy, it is almost like home. When travelling, you will feel like a local. The cooking areas are usually private, either offering a kitchenette or sometimes you can enjoy the luxury of a full-size kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine included. The living space and sleeping areas are much larger than standard rooms. You may also have access to other hotel-like services like gyms, restaurants, meeting space and concierges.
Not widely used outside the corporate relocation and business travel markets, the term “Serviced Apartment” has long been offered as a booking option. These apartments were not under a specific category of their own, they were just labelled as “apartment” and were suggested to customers as another option to regular hotel rooms.
Being less pricey than hotels, the sector is the go to option when travelling leisurely. Serviced apartments are available worldwide as a cost-effective alternative. Budget wise they are preferable for longer stays, travelling in groups or with family as they allow to save on dining out, in-house entertainment and other services that would be paid in a hotel. You also have the freedom of living as a local.
The only downside of home-sharing sites, you might move into someone else house for your stay thus taking a chance in terms of health and safety and standard of accommodation. As a trade body, we aim to make sure the customer is confident in what will be offered to him when booking for a serviced accommodation at their preferred location.
Different levels of membership and certification are accredited to the industry to keep up standards around bookings, facilities and safety.
Facilities you should expect when opting for a serviced apartment:
- A decent living area
- A fully equipped kitchen, preferably equipped with a dishwasher and washer/dryer
- A sleeping area with one or more bedrooms, or in studio apartments
- A bathroom
- All basic utilities included i.e. water and electricity
- TV, Wi-Fi and other in-room technology (depending on the operator)
- Housekeeping service (usually offered weekly but can be more frequent if required)
Serviced accommodations are usually classified under a variety of sub headings including:
- Serviced Apartment – These are usually self-contained apartments found within a residential building. Staff may or may not be present on site. In case the accommodation doesn’t have staff available, the operator may arrange to meet guests on arrival or provide access to keys in a safety deposit box. Some apartments even offer keyless entry access via smartphones or other technologies. A 24-hour helpline is provided to guests.
- Corporate Housing – A fully furnished house, condominium or apartment available for rent / lease on a long term basis (usually 30 days or more). This type of accommodation has long been the best option for executives on business trips or relocations. This type of accommodation offers the traveler a more “normal “way of life as compared to hotels. The business person will feel at home, can cook for himself, relax and live at their own pace.
- Aparthotel – Closer to how hotel works, thus the term. These are services apartments within a dedicated building with hotel-like services offering 24-hour reception. There may be other facilities available, such as a communal lounge or an on-site gym. Aparthotel may be sometimes termed as “suites”.