THE EXTENDED-STAY segment is still embryonic in the UK. Properties are purpose-built aparthotels and operators largely come from the hospitality sector – “whereas the serviced apartments market has a large share of operators from a property background, who create different types of developments in different locations for residential use, but with contrasting concepts of what is and isn’t included”, according to Charles McCrow, managing director of TAS, in its Global Serviced Apartments Industry Report 2011-12. Business travellers staying for less than one month may well gravitate
towards extended-stay products because, being more like a hotel than other serviced apartments, they fit into a travel policy and can be managed via global distribution systems (GDSs). And the model is showing considerable dynamism worldwide. Of course, cost is always a key
factor. Egencia vice-president Germain Huber says: “Prices are attractive compared to hotels in the same category, travel managers are happy because final costs are lower – lower dinner costs and no breakfast – and another advantage is that this kind of accommodation is usually purpose-
built.” The revamped Egencia Hotel booking tool makes available around 15,000 aparthotels.
DEVELOPING A PROTOTYPE In the past year, Hyatt acquired Hotel Sierra and relaunched it with Summerfield Suites as Hyatt House; Marriott opened Residence Inns in Munich and Edinburgh, with Saudi Arabia (two) and Algiers to follow, and developed a prototype room for the brand. Ascott opened Citadines in Paris and Xiamen; Oakwood Worldwide bought Marriott Execustay; Accor announced plans to triple its Adagio portfolio