Aparthotels (a portmanteau of the words “apartment” and “hotels”) provide a way for hoteliers to give travelers the best of both worlds: the comfort and professionalism of a hotel combined with the amenities of an apartment.
Demand for these hybrid accommodations is growing, especially among guests seeking longer-term stays — in fact, hotel brands like Marriott and Hyatt have expanded their extended-stay portfolios by more than 50% over the past 10 years. This growing sector provides hotels with an opportunity to cater to a new demographic of guests and expand their market share in tandem.
Aparthotels serve as a cross between a traditional hotel room and an apartment. They feature many of the well-known comforts of home, such as kitchens, laundry facilities and dedicated living space, but also retain select perks of a hotel such as housekeeping and on-site amenities.
Generally, an aparthotel will offer multiple room sizes to cater to a variety of travelers. While this can increase operational complexities, it also opens up the opportunity for properties to attract a wider range of guests. The typical room sizes in aparthotels are:
Studio: A single, open-plan living space with a sleeping area and a kitchenette.
One-bedroom: An apartment with a separate bedroom, living area and a kitchenette or full kitchen.
Two-bedroom: An apartment with two separate bedrooms, a living area and a kitchenette or full kitchen.
Because aparthotels offer many of the comforts of home, they’re often a better fit for business travelers, digital nomads and families looking for more comfortable and flexible accommodations than a standard hotel room can provide. The usual offerings can include:
In addition to providing additional room sizes and amenities, there are several operational considerations for hoteliers with aparthotels. These elements differ from property to property, but typically involve:
Minimum stay requirements: Because of their more home-like nature, many aparthotels have minimum stay requirements that differ from traditional hotels. While a hotel may enforce a two-night occupancy minimum, for example, some aparthotels require a week or more.
Security deposits: Similar to renting an apartment, some aparthotels might require a security deposit from guests, especially those booking in advance for an extended period of time.
Revenue management requirements: Hotel revenue management refers to the practice of a property strategically adjusting room pricing based on demand. Aparthotels should practice this as well, but must keep in mind the increased revenue potential of larger rooms while balancing the longer duration of guest stays.
Complexities of management: Because aparthotels often offer different room sizes and housekeeping services typically vary based on the length of a guest’s stay, there are additional operational complexities involved with managing cleaning, laundry and other guest services.
Marketing strategies: Aparthotels can appeal to many different kinds of travelers — individuals on trips for business, families looking for more space, guests with pets and more. When marketing your property, considering each one of these customer segments and the materials that will appeal to them is essential to effective targeting.
Running an aparthotel means balancing flexibility with top-tier service. To pull this off, technology is essential. The right tech can streamline operations, keep guests happy and help your accommodations stand out.
One of the biggest pain points for travelers is check-in and check-out. Aparthotels, in particular, need to cater to guests who expect more autonomy and flexibility than a standard hotel guest.
By implementing Mobile Check-In, you can remove friction from the process, allowing guests to come and go as they please. No long lines, no waiting around at a desk — just a smooth, hassle-free experience. It’s faster, more convenient and increases guest satisfaction by eliminating one of the most common annoyances of travel: waiting at the front desk.
Upselling can be tricky in aparthotels, but the right technology makes it easy to offer guests upgrades and additional services they’ll actually want. Whether it’s a room upgrade, extended checkout time or in-room amenities, having a system in place that can dynamically offer these options at the right moments can significantly grow your revenue.
Canary’s Dynamic Upsells tool lets you personalize upsell opportunities based on guest preferences and behaviors. This allows you to offer the right extras at the right time, without being pushy.
Guest communication is key in aparthotels, where guests often prefer minimal interaction with staff but still want fast responses when they need something. Having a centralized messaging system that allows guests to communicate via their phone can streamline interactions and reduce response times.
Whether guests are requesting extra towels, asking for restaurant recommendations or inquiring about their check-out time, Canary’s Guest Messaging platform allows your team to respond quickly and efficiently. This seamless communication improves guest satisfaction while reducing the workload for your front desk and concierge teams.
Interested in learning more about how to elevate the guest experience at your aparthotel? Book a demo today and see Canary in action.
Everything you need to perfect the guest journey, boost revenue, and automate processes….
