FEATURE SERVICED APARTMENTS
requirements. But do procurement and travellers want the same things? According to one travel buyer, “It’s a
combination of cost – especially for long- term stays – and comfort, location and availability,” he says. Alastair Dickenson at Wings Travel Management believes that serviced apartments are offering a solution that both procurement and travellers are happy with: “Travellers are looking for larger rooms/apartments with amenities that are more suitable for long-term stays. Procurement is able to make savings compared to hotel costs and have happier, more settled travellers.” Marlin Apartments’ Susan Cully points
Pictured Above: Citadines Prestige Holborn-Covent Garden; Below: Supercity Aparthotels
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Corporate adoption A survey at this year’s Business Travel Show found that 13 per cent of European corporate travel buyers booked more serviced apartments in 2014 than in the previous year, while The Apartment Service’s GSAIR report estimates that 85 per cent of UK companies now use apartments for their travel needs. All recent research confirms that serviced apartments are routinely first choice for stays of three nights or more. Meanwhile ASAP reports that average occupancy across units in the UK is over 88 per cent. Staycity is one of the fastest growing
brands across Europe, currently operating over 1,000 apartments in eight European cities. Its CEO Tom Walsh firmly believes that both B2B and B2C markets will grow across Europe. “Today’s traveller is looking for more
flexibility and a home-from-home feel when they stay away, and is no longer inclined to pay for services and facilities they are not likely to use,” says Walsh. Hugo Morris of London operator
Refresh concurs. “Staying in a serviced apartment offers many benefits. It is more spacious and you are able to cook your own food which also makes it more cost-effective. Plus, you still get the additional services a hotel offers like housekeeping and complimentary wifi and no extra bills,” he says. Travel management in 2015 is about selecting suppliers that fit both the company’s and the traveller’s different
70 THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
out a subtle difference. “Procurement and travellers are looking for a lot of the same things such as space, facilities and comfort. The main difference we notice is that while procurement has cost in mind, travellers want value.” However, the profile of demand for apartments is changing. SACO's Ben Harper reports a trend in relocation of more short-term assignments (three to six months) rather than long-term assignments. “Cost savings drives have resulted in few shorter trips,” he says. Meanwhile, Cheval Apartments have shortened their minimum stay to one night in order to capture a greater share of the short-stay market.
Supply and demand Although the UK’s serviced apartment sector accounts for just three per cent
ASAP SETTING STANDARDS
Any serviced apartment operator wanting to become a quality accredited member of ASAP must achieve accreditation via a quality assessment process. The core requirements include accessibility and mobility restriction information; gas, electrical, smoke alarm and carbon monoxide inspection certification; and evidence of a robust health and safety policy. Each operator receives an annual overnight site visit during which a complete review of the core requirements is undertaken. Special attention is paid to the comfort of the bed, the condition of the apartment, housekeeping and maintenance and that it is being marketed accurately. Each element of the guest experience is scored to ensure ASAP’s quality, safety and security standards are met. Assessments also draw on internet guest review mechanism to monitor guest satisfaction as well as the processes used to capture that feedback.
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