Serviced Apartments: Are they the future of hotels?

Serviced apartments are not a new idea, but recent years have seen growing numbers of travellers opting for serviced apartments over traditional hotels. It’s easy to see the appeal of apartments, when comparing them to a classic hotel room. Apartments invariably offer more space, and greater flexibility when travelling. Serviced apartments also usually provide better privacy, and they can be more practical for those travelling in groups, or families with young children. But could serviced apartments really be the future of hotels? Let’s walk through a few key benefits of this alternative accommodation to see whether apartments could take the lead from traditional hotels in the near future. Apartments are spacious Hotel rooms aren’t usually known for their space. Most hotels provide a base for their guests, expecting those staying with them to spend the majority of their time outside of the hotel room. For those looking to get out and about, this isn’t necessarily a problem. But these days many of us are looking for a place to relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or somewhere to unwind following a tiring day of corporate meetings. And a poky hotel room doesn’t always cut it. Serviced apartments tend to offer far more space than hotel rooms. The majority of apartments come complete with a living space, separate bedroom and cooking facilities. Usually, the total amount of space available is around double that of your average hotel room. And of course, when guests book a serviced apartment they can choose exactly how much space they’d like, opting for apartments with additional bedrooms if required. Apartments offer that all-important privacy Whilst some high-end hotels are highly regarded for their privacy and discretion, on the whole hotels don’t tend to provide complete privacy for guests. With staff and guests coming and going all the time, and maids accessing rooms daily to clean, guests can struggle to completely relax in a hotel environment. Serviced apartments are a little different. There are far fewer intrusions in serviced apartments, and cleaning staff tend to visit less frequently. The provision of kitchen facilities also means that guests can eat in the comfort of their apartment as and when they like, without having to mix with other guests at every meal time. Apartments can provide better flexibility for trips Hotel rooms are ideal for those who are simply looking for a comfortable place to sleep. But serviced apartments offer a whole lot more. Apartments provide fantastic flexibility when travelling, simply because of the space and facilities available. When guests stay in an apartment, they can cook and dine in if they prefer. There’s no need to fork out for an expensive restaurant meal every night of the trip, and there’s no need to rely on a limited room service menu either. The flexibility doesn’t end at dining options. There are benefits when it comes to entertaining, too. Guests can choose to spend time with friends in the living room, or even use that same living space for client meetings and workshops. With plenty more options than standard hotel rooms, serviced apartments can be beneficial for both private and corporate entertaining. The world’s finest hotels will never go out of style, but an emerging trend towards serviced apartments is beginning to change the way we think about accommodation. As more and more travellers start to take advantage of the flexibility of serviced apartments, we can expect to see the focus shift from traditional hotels to apartments and other serviced accommodation options. Look out for some brilliant new apartment complexes offering an array of advantages for private and corporate travelling. They might just be the future of hotels. Written by Quest Liverpool City Centre, a centrally located aparthotel in the vibrant city of culture and history.