Serviced accommodation refers to furnished apartments, villas, or houses that are available for short-term or long-term stays. These lodgings provide amenities and services similar to hotels but with the space and conveniences of home. Serviced accommodations are an attractive option for travelers who want more room and independence than a standard hotel room. Here are some of the features and inclusions commonly found in serviced apartments:
Fully Equipped Kitchen
A key distinguishing feature of serviced apartments is the fully fitted kitchen. This allows guests the flexibility to prepare their own meals and saves on dining out costs. Standard equipment in serviced apartment kitchens includes:
Refrigerator and freezer
Oven, stove cooktop and rangehood
Microwave
Dishwasher
Basic cookware and utensils
Cutlery and crockery
Electric kettle
Cooking basics like oil, salt and pepper
Some serviced apartments provide additional kitchen amenities like a coffee maker, toaster, blender or rice cooker. The kitchen is stocked with essentials like tea bags, coffee, sugar, milk and cleaning supplies.
Living and Dining Areas
Serviced accommodation provides a furnished living/dining space separate from the bedroom. This makes them more home-like than a typical hotel room. The living area is equipped with comfortable seating like a sofa, armchairs and a coffee table. Entertainment options usually include a flat screen TV and DVD player.
The dining area has an adequate dining table and chairs to accommodate the number of guests. Some apartments have bar counter dining as well. Living/dining areas may have additional features like a work desk, balcony access, or in-room laundry facilities like a washer/dryer.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Serviced apartment bedrooms are furnished with a comfortable double, queen or king-sized bed and side tables with lamps. There is usually ample cupboard space and a dressing table area. Bathrooms are equipped with towels, toiletries and hairdryer. More upscale apartments may provide bathrobes and slippers.
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms varies by unit size. Studio and one-bedroom units are common, but two and three-bedroom units are available for larger groups or families.
Housekeeping and Maintenance
A key service provided with serviced apartments is regular housekeeping. This includes tasks like vacuuming, dusting, making the beds, changing towels, and cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. Housekeeping services are typically provided once or twice per week for longer stays.
Maintenance services are also provided to repair any fixtures or amenities that require attention. Most serviced apartments have 24/7 availability of maintenance staff. Some even offer handyman services like assembling flat-pack furniture.
Amenities and Facilities
In addition to the in-room amenities, serviced apartments often provide recreational facilities for guests. This may include:
Fitness center/gym
Outdoor swimming pool
Barbecue areas
Games room
Business center
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Concierge services
WiFi
Parking
Security is also an important consideration. Serviced apartments have key card access, secure entry systems and some even have a 24-hour front desk.
Location Convenience
A key advantage of serviced apartments is convenience, as they are generally located in residential neighborhoods or mixed-use developments rather than tourist districts. However, they still offer good proximity and easy access to business districts, shopping malls, restaurants and public transport.
Overall, the full suite of amenities, facilities and services offered in a serviced apartment provides guests with a comfortable, convenient home away from home. The extra space and flexibility distinguishes them from typical hotel stays. The inclusion of modern conveniences and amenities satisfies both short and long term travelers.