A serviced apartment is a furnished, self-contained apartment used for short-term use, intended for stays of a few weeks or months with amenities provided. One of the advantages of staying in a serviced apartment is that you get more space, privacy, and with a fully equipped kitchen you can cook every day, saving money on going out for meals.
When it comes to the level of service you'll receive, it varies depending on what country you're going to live in. The apartments in the U.K. offer features and amenities similar to hotels, with:
- Doorman
- Security
- 24-hour reception
- Daily maid service
- Concierge
The facilities can also come with a swimming pool, gym, and possibly a restaurant or two. In a place like London or Glasgow you'll find the serviced apartments completely functional, offering value and service unparalleled in quality and affordability. The usual clients are vacationing families and business travelers.
The fast growing concept of serviced apartments is becoming more fashionable than traditional hotels. As more people become confident in looking online at websites that feature serviced apartments, the sites themselves have become the first stop for expats and travelers looking for flexible and cost-effective places to stay.
The men and women who make their living traveling are finding that staying in furnished apartments is easy and affordable. Having a furnished apartment with all the amenities included allows businesspeople to worry about their work, and less on finding a place to stay and filling it with furniture and amenities.
The amenities include:
- Dishwasher
- Washer and dryer
- Working stove and oven
If you're headed to the U.K., or any destination, consider all your options first. But the main draw of staying in an apartment in a city like London is being able to feel like you actually live and work in the city. Being at home beats simply "being there" every time. It's a one-of-a-kind experience, and one that many businessmen and women are turning to for the ultimate in style and comfort.
The apartments are available for any length of stay, although it is wise to use a traditional hotel for stays of less than a week. The majority of furnished apartments you'll find on the internet are for long stays only. Websites devoted to serviced apartments and office spaces are becoming more refined in terms of the description of each apartment or office, the price, and whatever amenities are included. This makes choosing the place you want to live and work all the more simple and hassle-free.
The Europeans call serviced apartments "aparthotels" for obvious reasons. Each serviced apartment seems like a personalized hotel, complete with everything a hotel has to offer and then some.
Some of the perks of an aparthotel are:
- Less confining than a hotel room
- More space than a traditional room
- More comfortable and personable
- More services offered than a hotel
- Flexible stays
These rooms are perfect if you're in the U.K. for corporate functions, and London is a city that demands style, comfort, and the feel of home serviced apartments supply. These rooms are furnished less for vacationers and more for businesspeople. The apartments are perfect for:
- Business people
- Company employees
- Military personnel
When booking apartments like this, search for "corporate housing." The name says it all. Corporate housing is rented temporarily. These rooms are ideal for:
Temporary stays for training
A corporate presence for your business in a foreign city
Business trips requiring your presence (i.e., meetings, conferences, etc.)
Corporate housing serviced apartments are managed by companies that specialize in temporary housing for businesspeople. They design their apartments under the maxim, "better safe than sorry." Whether you need a dishwasher, the internet, or a washer and dryer, the fact that they're there is a comfort and a blessing when you really need them.
Say you're having a dinner. Having a place as comfortable as corporate housing serviced apartments makes your guests feel more relaxed; able to enjoy themselves in a way they could not in a sterile, used hotel room or suite.
The fact is that people respond better when they're comfortable. If you choose a hotel room, the guests are going to be guarded; aware that they are not in a living space, but rather a rented room. Therefore, for the sake of saving face with visitors, these are a perfect fit.
There are websites available where you can search corporate housing serviced apartments. They have listings of quality apartments and office space for every major city in the world, including:
London
Bangkok
Hong Kong
Singapore
Sydney
Whatever city you are traveling to, making sure there is corporate housing is a must. For the serious business traveler there are few options for places to stay that offer the full range of amenities and comfort of a serviced apartment.
Be careful when you search. If there is a search engine, look up whatever amenity you think you'll need and choose an apartment based on that, instead of simply booking the room and hoping for the best. There are things you need to remember when looking for a room:
How long will you be staying?
How much can you afford?
What is the cost of living in the city you're staying in?
Knowing how long you will be staying in a city like London, with a high cost of living, is important. You'll need to figure out how much money will be left over after you pay for your room. And you will still need to shop for food, so make sure you have enough funds to:
Rent the apartment
Go grocery shopping
Take clients and coworkers out for socializing or business lunches
Assuage your own temporary social life
If you find yourself without the money to live your life you will find yourself in a desperate state of frustration and chaos. That is the beauty of having a serviced apartment. The comfort you'll feel staying in one will make your stay hassle-free; and the amenities are so accommodating that staying in for the night is more than a viable option, it could become a preference.
