Serviced Apartments vs Hotels

Serviced apartments and hotels are two of the most popular accommodation choices when staying in metropolitan cities like London or New York. While they are both great options, there are some key differences that may sway you to one or the other.

 

This guide will examine and compare serviced apartments vs hotels so you can make the best decision for the next time you’re travelling.

What is a serviced apartment?

A serviced apartment is a fully furnished apartment that offers additional amenities and services to its guests. These services tend to include offerings like a concierge service, room cleaning service and a host of in-room amenities. You can almost think of them as “furnished hotel apartments”. 

 

They tend to be in popular areas of major cities that allow visitors to have easy access to tourist attractions and business centres. For example, Stayprime offers serviced apartments in:

 

• Marylebone
• Kensington
• Earl’s Court
• Fitzrovia
• Notting Hill

What do serviced apartments and hotels have in common?

The most important aspect that both serviced apartments and hotels have in common is the “service”. For both forms of accommodation, there is a sense that the guest is being taken care of.

 

The exact services provided between the two will certainly vary. But some of the most common services they both have are: 

 

• A maid/room cleaning service
• A Concierge service
• Inclusive benefits like toiletries, wifi and a TV.
• A fully furnished room

 

If you want to stay in the most desirable locations in a city then both serviced apartments and hotels are typically your best best (though a hotel room in the best parts of a city will come at a much higher premium).

 

Hotels and serviced apartments are also two of the safest accommodation options. You have your own private space, a concierge service and usually some kind of safe or lockbox too.

 

Finally, both are great options for corporate hiring as they make the process of ordering through a company easy. Check out our corporate serviced apartment options for more information.

While there are similarities between the two, it’s also important to know the differences:

Space

A hotel room is typically very small with only enough space for the basics: a bed, a desk and a small bathroom. Some hotels will allow you to upgrade to a suite but this can be prohibitively expensive.

 

On the other hand, a serviced apartment provides much more room. You typically also have a separate living area and kitchen space on top of the bedroom and bathroom which makes the stay feel more like home.

 

Length of stay

Hotels are great for short stays as that’s what they have been designed around. But once your stay goes on for longer than a week or two, they become quite cumbersome and expensive.

 

For those relocating, traveling on a business trip, or seeking monthly apartment rentals in London, check out our London long term lets options for more information.

 

Serviced apartments on the other hand work very well for both long term stays and short term stays and will typically work out cheaper the longer you stay.

Pricing

Hotels will always range heavily in terms of price. Different hotels have different levels of service and so pricing will inevitably vary a lot. But the reality with a hotel is that you are paying a premium for convenience and your price typically wont go down for longer trips.

 

Serviced apartments tend to work out better economically. Unlike a hotel, you aren’t subsidising the cost of a big staff, gyms, restaurants and other expenses.

 

Additionally, serviced apartments are well suited for long term lets and will provide far more competitive pricing than any hotel.

Cooking Capabilities

One of the best perks of a serviced apartment is the ability to cook your own food. Eating out is great but sometimes you just want a comforting, home cooked meal. This is one of the biggest advantages over a hotel room which may have a mini fridge at best.

 

And unlike the hotel restaurant, there’s no set meal times you have to awkwardly plan around just to eat!

 

Privacy

Hotels have a ton of footfall and can get very busy. From guests checking in and out, cleaning services knocking on your doors and staff constantly darting around, it can make privacy harder to come by. 

 

But with a serviced apartment, you won’t need to worry about that. You can expect the same level of tranquillity and quiet as you could with any high end residential building.

Serviced apartments vs hotels: which to choose?

So which is the best option for you? Hotels have many advantages; they are plentiful, everyone knows how they work and, if you are willing to pay, can provide great service.

 

On the other hand, serviced apartments offer much more freedom, greater space to relax in, cooking capabilities, more privacy and a more competitive price (particularly for longer stays). That’s why serviced apartments tend to have happier guests than the alternatives.

Summary

If you’re staying in a city like London, then you will have plenty of options when it comes to both hotels and serviced apartments. Hopefully this guide has pointed out the benefits of each so you’ll know which is best once it’s time to book.

 

If you’re interested in booking a service apartment in some of London’s most desirable areas, then get in touch with Stayprime today.