When looking for a place to stay while traveling, the first thing that comes to our mind is the hotel. Hotel can provide comfort, luxury and security. However, if your stay will last for at least a month, the best alternative from hotel is serviced apartment.
Serviced apartments have a lot of similarities with hotels. Both are fully furnished and provide daily housekeeping, laundry services, and 24 hours security. The monthly rate includes utility charges, local taxes, telephone and television. However, living in serviced apartment has more advantages. If you are going to stay in a place for a while, hotel living can be very expensive. Serviced apartments can provide the same amenities that hotels can in a lower cost. Kitchen facility is available in the former which allows the tenant to save more for being able to cook one’s own meal. Because these rentals are more spacious and private, they do not only give comfort, luxury and security but also a feeling of home away from home. Bars and restaurants are usually not offered in serviced apartment because of the availability of kitchen facilities. Some serviced apartments do not have this issue because they are built as an extension to an existing hotel allowing the tenant to use hotel facilities free of charge. Other rental apartments try to overcome this shortcoming by offering grocery shopping service.
Basic apartments can also be an alternative if you want a cheaper place to stay in. Yet it might be expensive in the long run because you will have to buy furniture and appliances necessary for daily use. Apartments and serviced apartments are similar in terms of booking process. They have to be booked ahead of time unlike the hotel’s 24 hour reception. Sometimes, both would require damage or security deposit.
If you want to use most of your money on visiting places and not on accommodations, then serviced apartment is the best place to stay.