Travelers face several choices when going on a trip, and one of them is deciding on what kind of accommodation to book. Gone are the days when hotels were the only options. Nowadays, both leisure and business travelers can choose between serviced apartments or condotels and hotels. Serviced apartments or condotels are typically geared towards business travelers but have become increasingly popular among holidaymakers looking to take long city breaks.
There are several differences between serviced apartments/condotels and hotels, and knowing these can help you determine which one is the best for your upcoming trip.
Here are the differences between condotels/serviced apartments and hotels.
Furniture and Equipment
Although many hotels offer a little more than the traditional bed and bath, such as dressers, wardrobes, desks, and a small couch, serviced apartments provide you with more. Condotels or serviced apartments are often lavishly furnished and functional. The granite countertops are ideal for a truly working kitchen yet lend elegance and style. You can set flowers and candles on top of them when entertaining your friends and family members.
Additionally, these units are also often fully equipped with everything you need to cook and live lavishly, ranging from cookware to washers and dryers. If you’re considering staying at these commodities for an extended period, to live comfortably, serviced apartments are the best choice.
Space
When choosing between serviced apartments and hotels, one of the most crucial factors that travelers look for is the spaciousness of the room or unit. Although this varies, in most cases, condotels have a larger space than a hotel room. A normal-sized studio or one- to three-bedroom apartments have over 30% to 50% more space than a standard hotel room. These large spaces are similar to what you’d get at premium suites, but that’s not always the best choice, especially when you plan on staying for a couple of weeks or months.
Condotels or serviced apartments give you more room to work, relax, and enjoy your stay to the fullest. Gone are the days of eating non-stop room service meals propped on your bed and being careful not to spill anything on its duvet. You now have the luxury of eating at full-sized tables like how you would at home. In most cases, there’s even ample room to hold meetings and invite guests over in your condotel unit.
Kitchen Access
Although people are partial to the habit of room service, after a week, you’d likely exhaust all your options on the menu and crave some proper home-cooked meals. In serviced apartments, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. If you like the option of room service but still have kitchen facilities, going for condotels is ideal—especially if you’re staying for an extended period. Whether it’s a week or a couple of months, serviced apartments are your best bet. These units often come complete with cookware, utensils, cutlery, and crockery, allowing you to make your favorite meals away from home.
Amenities
The amenities provided at condotels or serviced apartments and hotels significantly vary. However, generally, amenities that hotels may have that the condotels don’t, range from on-site restaurants or bars, spas, to continental breakfast. Meanwhile, depending on the building, serviced apartments can come with several amenities you’d find in a hotel, including pools, fitness centers, room service, terraces, roof decks, lobby, laundry areas, and resident lounges.
Serviced apartments or condotels also offer several amenities or facilities that you wouldn’t find in most hotels, including dishwashers, washing machines, tumble driers, and office equipment like printers or scanners. The best part is, most of these units are pet-friendly, freeing you from the ‘stuffy’ restrictions of hotels. Plus, Wi-Fi connectivity is almost always included in serviced apartments’ fees, while many hotels charge an excessive amount of money for it.
Privacy
Serviced apartments or condotels will always provide better privacy than hotels. There are even units that offer no on-site staff if you’re looking for complete privacy. However, don’t be deterred by this as owners still offer maid services on condotels. Expect serviced apartments to be cleaned and towels and your linens replaced at least once a week if you’re staying for an extended period. You can also have this increased if needed.
The best choice between the two depends on your specific needs. For instance, if you’re traveling in groups or with family, serviced apartments are definitely worth the splurge. However, if you’re traveling alone or with your significant other, hotels are a better choice. But the ultimate decision will still depend on you—and knowing their differences as mentioned can help you make a better-informed decision.
