Serviced Apartments 101: Pros & Cons for Long-Term Stays

If you’re looking for a place to stay long-term, then serviced apartments are one to consider. Serviced apartments are known as a great option for accommodation when it comes to long stays since they offer great rates for extended stays, have great amenities and offer homey units!

You can expect a serviced apartment unit to have a kitchen, bedroom, living room area, bathrooms and sometimes laundry rooms. These are also great for people travelling in a group since serviced apartments are pretty much more spacious compared to typical hotel rooms.

So if you’re planning to stay at a serviced apartment for your long-term trip but just aren’t 100% sure, below is a list of pros and cons that’ll help you make up your mind about it!

What are the pros of long-term stays in serviced apartments?

1. It gives off a home-like atmosphere

Compared to standard hotel rooms, serviced apartments offer a cosier feel thanks to separate living, eating, and sleeping facilities. This may be especially helpful for extended visits, providing a feeling of home and warmth.

2. It’s a more cost-efficient option

When it comes to costs and comfort, serviced apartments surely check these boxes out! Compared to standard hotel rates per night, staying in a serviced apartment is way cheaper, the longer your stay is the more cheaper your night rates become.

Also, cheaper doesn’t always mean cutting on quality! Serviced apartments are packed with great amenities, utilities and facilities, not to mention great customer service as well. But of course, this all depends on the serviced apartment you choose to stay at!

3. It’s more flexible

Typically, serviced apartments allow guests to rent on a weekly or monthly basis due to their flexible lease periods. This is ideal not only for long vacation trips but also as temporary housing since long-term leases are not a condition. Plus many serviced apartments offer flexible check-ins, check-outs and cancellations! 

4. Expect fully-furnished units

Completely equipped with all the necessities, including kitchenware, kitchen equipment, linens, and furnishings, serviced apartments turn up ready to go. Tenants may move in and settle in a lot more easily because they won't have to buy or transfer their furniture, appliances and so on.

5. It’s a more private option

Given that each visitor has their own private living area, serviced flats provide greater privacy than hotels. For people or families that value privacy or need a quiet space for work or leisure, this might be especially crucial.

6. There’s housekeeping!

Regular housekeeping services, like those offered in hotels, are a feature of many serviced apartments. Tenants may be relieved of certain domestic duties by doing cleaning, changing linens, and other maintenance chores.

What are the cons of long-term stays in serviced apartments?

1. There are limited on-site amenities

Serviced apartments often feature fewer on-site amenities than full-service hotels, even if they could include some, including business centres, laundry rooms, and fitness centres. Features like restaurants, room service, and concierge services could be unavailable to guests. But then again, this may depend on the serviced apartments since some have more on-site amenities than others.

2. Limited services

Although they could give certain services like maintenance support or front desk help, serviced flats usually don't offer the same calibre of services as hotels. Visitors may have to handle things like upkeep or repairs themselves or wait longer for help.

3. Less social interaction

This one is subjective since some may like this while others may not. Serviced apartments might provide more of a solitary atmosphere than hotels, where visitors frequently have the chance to socialise with other travellers. This might be a disadvantage for anyone looking for networking possibilities or a social environment when visiting.

4. Potential noise

Depending on the serviced apartment's layout and location, visitors may hear noises from nearby apartments, construction going on, or other disturbances that might interfere with their comfort and enjoyment of their stay.

5. Lack of brand recognition

Unlike large hotel chains, serviced apartments may not have the same level of brand recognition or consistency in quality since they are sometimes run by independent owners or management organisations. This may make it more difficult for visitors to evaluate a property's reputation and dependability.

6. Location may be an issue

Those who want to be near sights, dining options, and public transit hubs may find it problematic as serviced apartments aren't typically found in popular tourist destinations or city centres. But there are some serviced apartments located in the city proper near restaurants, public transit hubs and so on, the only issue is with serviced apartments as such, they might be high in depend so you might want to book ahead of time!