Many travel and accommodation bookers are still wary when they hear the term serviced apartments, but new websites and online tools have made the booking process that much easier, as David Nicholson explains. If you haven’t previously booked a serviced apartment or apart-hotel, the process might seem rather daunting at first.
However there are now websites available to directly compare choices to satisfy your budget and location, while online tools can deliver live vacancies and reservations, which is a far cry from what has been previously offered. These sites offer the advantage of opening up great rates and late room availability bookable at the click of a button. Here are the considerations to take into account.
Location
As with all accommodation, location is key. Serviced apartments and apart-hotels are now based in all major business centres and cities around the world, making it easy for you to refine your search and requirements.
Length of stay
With improved electronic distribution through live websites, rates and late-room availability can be searched for just like flights or hotels. Depending on the individual provider, it is possible to check availability and secure an online booking for stays of up to 99 nights. Traditional telephone reservations are generally still needed for the extended-stay consumer who requires up to one year’s accommodation.
Number of guests
There are a large range of different sized apartments available. It’s always important to determine how many people will occupy the property, but there’s some degree of flexibility attached to this, as the space is often larger than you can expect to receive in a standard hotel room. From a one-room budget studio to a four- bedroom executive apartment or five-star luxury suite, the choice is yours.
Budget
The main consideration regarding the budget is to determine in advance the upper limit you wish to pay. Having a pre-set amount will help you narrow down your options. The quote you receive will be variable, depending on the length of your stay, from standard rates for a few days to flexible rates for several months or more.
Policies
When enquiring about serviced accommodation, always ask about the property’s policies regarding payment, deposit and cancellation. If you book through an agent or online booking website, they should do this for you.
Booking method
In recent years, although the booking process has become increasingly seamless, there has been a lot of debate in the industry as to whether you should reserve directly with a property or through an agent. The truth is, there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. One provider may charge the same rate irrespective of how you book, while another may be cheaper if you do it online. However, in most cases, going through a specialist serviced apartment agent or website can prove to be more cost-effective, as they can negotiate corporate rates.
Facilities
There’s nothing new here but serviced accommodation offers a range of facilities, including a front desk and many of the services of a hotel, with the added convenience of self-catering; therefore if you or the guest has a preference, this should be discussed prior to your initial search.
David Nicholson is CEO of VisitRentals, the first live online booking platform dedicated to serviced apartments and apart-hotels, giving access to more than 175,000 properties worldwide. To find out more, go to visitrentals.com
