🏠 Apart-hotels: advantages and features of the new accommodation format 🛏️
More and more modern travelers are moving away from luxury five-star hotels in search of a home away from home. After many months of Covid isolation, the concept of apart-hotels began to gain popularity in earnest. Let's figure out what “affordable comfort” that is conquering Europe looks like and who is suitable for such a vacation.
What is an apart- hotel?
It looks like an apartment complex with limited services and hotel type reservations. Tourists can rent an apartment for a day, a week, a month or even several years – depending on the company. Apartments of this type are made under the guidance of the same group of designers. Since they must not only be aesthetic, but also have a clear system in order to meet the expectations of the guest, regardless of which country he ends up in. Functionality plays an equally important role: each studio must be fully equipped. This means that upon arrival you can expect kitchen appliances, irons and ironing boards, a washing machine or public laundry and other household items. Guests do not stay here, they live here.
Differences from Airbnb
The aparthotel does not have a reception desk. Booking takes place online. If problems arise, guests contact support. What's new here, you ask. And it really does sound like the already well-known Airbnb platform. However, communication on Airbnb occurs with the owner of the apartment. At the same time, he may be in another country and not always have a phone at hand.
Aparthotels offer 24/7 support. They are served by a small local Omani company. She also provides apartment inspections. The registration procedure is also different. Check-in is done exclusively online. The guest is provided with digital codes to open the doors, which does not bind him to the agreed time of arrival. On the Airbnb platform, these points are discussed separately with the apartment owner and may vary depending on the landlord.
Who is an apart-hotel suitable for?
This type of housing is suitable for people who feel comfortable with technology and also speak English at a sufficient level to explain a problematic situation to the support service. Or you need to be prepared to use Google translator. This type of traveler strives for independence: they do not need daily cleaning or advice from a concierge. Aparthotels are suitable for solo travelers, couples, small groups of friends, business travelers, digital nomads and families with children.
Representatives
Among the brightest representatives of the new wave in the hospitality industry, we note Bob W, Numa, STAYERY, Be Mate Apartments. Essentially, they all offer the same services in European cities. They differ mainly in the opening hours of customer service and complementary bonuses for guests.
My personal experience with Bob W was very positive: a quick check-in process, convenient “keys” that could be shared with my accompanying guests, lots of small locally made gifts, access to a washing machine, a stocked kitchen, a list of recommended places to visit and free access to the gym. If I wanted, for a fee I could take a voucher for breakfast at a cafe nearby. I didn’t consider this necessary given the presence of a kitchen in the apartment and many picturesque cafes scattered throughout the area. I was especially pleased with the little details, like ceramic mugs and paintings from local artists.
White slippers and terry robes will not be waiting for you at the apart-hotel, but if the company knows what it is doing, you will have all the conditions for relaxation, work and entertainment. I wish you a pleasant stay!