For the thousands that have tried them, serviced apartments are increasingly being viewed as the more desirable short-stay alternative to hotels.
However, the hotel habit is not one that many travellers are willing to give up lightly. They're convenient for sure. But how do they measure up to the pleasure of renting a 'home from home'?
How do serviced apartments compare with hotels for short stays?
When you check in to a serviced apartment it's a similar quick and easy process as checking into a hotel: check documents, sign, receive keys and you're in your front door. However, you'll immediately notice that there are relatively few communal areas. You're not paying for the upkeep of a lobby. You won't be charged expensive prices at the bar, or pay extra for wi-fi when you sit in the restaurant.
Instead, all the effort goes into a space that's yours, and yours alone. Once you enter your apartment, it's effectively your home for the week. A spacious living area and sofa is generally superior to perching on the end of a bed to watch TV.
Hotels offer the convenience of breakfast and dinner in a central dining area, although the schedule for meals can restrict your freedom. In a serviced apartment, it's up to you whether to cook and eat in, or dine out – and with well equipped facilities, you'll enjoy the former, whether it's beans on toast, cereal, or cordon bleu cuisine.
As the days pass, the luxury of space and privacy becomes more and more appreciated. Visitors to SACO apartments generally comment that it's for stays longer than four days that they really begin to notice the added relaxation available in serviced accommodation.
Of course, it's not that you miss out on services and conveniences. Since the staff at a serviced apartment complex are dealing with important businesspeople day in, day out, they are experienced at providing a concierge service—from arranging dry cleaning to booking restaurants and travel.
Note that serviced apartments are generally priced less than staying in a 4-star hotel, even with the additional space and complementary services on offer.
Check out serviced apartments in the UK for yourself
See examples of the kinds of properties and standards of equipment described above by visiting any of SACO's destinations pages via the link above.
