If you’ve only recently heard of serviced apartments or aparthotels and think that they’re a fairly recent innovation, think again. Serviced apartments or apartment hotels have actually been around for years, and it’s the kind of accommodation where you can stay in a fully equipped and furnished apartment, whether for a day or two or a few months. But with the name ‘serviced’ also come the usual amenities and luxuries you would find in a hotel, such as housekeeping, telephones, televisions, free Wi-Fi, and a lot more. But if you’ve never stayed in an aparthotel or serviced apartment before and would like to know how you can benefit from such a stay, here’s what you can really expect from a serviced apartment or aparthotel stay.

The definition of an aparthotel or serviced apartment

As the name implies, a serviced apartment or aparthotel can offer almost the same facilities as a standard hotel, but with more space, more freedom, more privacy, more convenience, and less cost. Serviced apartments come with private kitchen facilities where you can cook and prep your meals, and, more often than not, the kitchen is full-sized – meaning it features a washing machine, a dishwasher, and other kitchen equipment and appliances you wouldn’t find in a hotel. Aside from kitchen facilities, serviced apartments feature separate or distinct living and sleeping areas, and when you stay in an aparthotel, you may also have access to facilities such as gyms and meeting spaces as well as concierge services and other services associated with hotels.

Why they are more popular today

Serviced apartments have achieved tremendous popularity in recent times, although they were first primarily used by business travellers who were looking for something more familiar and more home-like than a staid, boring hotel. But now, even leisure travellers are going for aparthotels because they are a more suitable and credible alternative to traditional hotels. They offer a way to save money yet have more freedom and privacy at the same time. Serviced apartments or aparthotels are especially suitable for groups travelling together or large families as well as for longer-staying guests (since you are likely to get a discount for a longer stay). Since you can prepare your own food and entertain as you like, you will feel more like a ‘local’ in the area rather than a tourist. For many, staying in a serviced apartment or aparthotel offers a more authentic yet convenient and comfortable experience.

What you can expect from an aparthote

When you stay in an aparthotel such as the many beautiful and conveniently-located serviced apartments in the UK, you can expect several comforts and luxuries you would typically expect from a hotel. But they have more to offer as well. For example, as already mentioned, you have access to a fully equipped kitchen, which usually comes with a dishwasher and washer and dryer. Additionally, you can get serviced apartments with either one or two bedrooms, or studio apartments with designated sleeping areas. You can also expect a living area in the serviced apartment as well as a fully equipped bathroom, television, Wi-Fi, and other in-room entertainment options. All the necessary utilities are provided, of course, including water and electricity, and these are already counted in the total price. You can also benefit from a weekly service for housekeeping unless you request a more frequent housekeeping service. The choice is up to you – and that, perhaps, is the best reason to stay in an aparthotel.