SERVICED APARTMENTS
offering an instant choice of music from a playlist. In addi- tion, Cornflake provides a central hub of TV choice (rather than a Sky box for every apartment, for example). A guest requests Sky/Apple/Turkish TV in advance and it is turned on without entering the apartment. “And because it is avail- able over the internet, the price comes down,” he says.
NEW INTERFACES
MY Serviced Apartment Consultancy is aiming to solve booking problems for buyers with direct sourcing and pricing that offers the possibility of savings over booking via a third party. Bookings are non-commissionable and client portals allow buyers to book and correspond directly with operators. Technology tailored to each client follows. In January, Oakwood launched a more intuitive website, with easier property search, side-by-side property compar- ison features and booking tools. The Oakwood mobile app gives reservation details, updated in real-time, and hosts check-in information, notifications and more. This “epic” accommodation management solution was relaunched with a new interface in March this year and the sourcing tool now gives customised choices and savings through competitive bids. It scores each option based on travellers’ needs, real-time data and on-demand reporting. “It is no wonder our clients saved nearly US$22 million a year on over 130,000 transactions in an average of 50 coun- tries and all 50 US states over the past three years,” says Tom Meertens, managing director, EMEA, Oakwood. Oakwood is also running a smart apartment pilot, includ- ing digital personal assistants and voice recognition room control. “Alexa, I’m going to bed. Tuck me in please.” Room2 Southampton offers mobile check-in with
personal greetings and interaction on the hoof from the multitasking front-of-house team. Silverdoor’s Orbi gives clients online availability, spend visibility and detailed MI reporting, and connects with the traveller tracking tools of International SOS and Anvil. Sup- plier access is available direct, through channel manager, GDS or property management system.
A living room at one of Select’s serviced apartments
MAKING THE CASE FOR AN OFFICE IMPLANT
PwC’s desk implant handles bookings of Native and SACO apartments in London and the regions, where the firm has negotiated rates and, if there is no availability, the desk looks across others networks – and negotiates rates for those. Global mobility was handled separately but is now merged with travel, short and long-term projects and international assignees, all booked through the one desk. Bringing this together caused an increase in spend, from £4 million at the time of RFP to £10 million. “We are able to leverage our spend more effectively. We have increased the volume of bookings by about 50 per cent, our partner rates are saving at least 25 per cent off hotel rates and we have discovered different ways of booking and using serviced apartments,” says Samantha van Leeuwen, head of hotels and venues at PwC. “We take rolling leases on apartments. The savings are
significant, compared to other apartments, where someone might stay for two weeks. We take leases of up to a year.” She notes a lack of supply in Dublin and of quality
apartments in Leeds. “Quality is important to us; the servicing of the blocks and the levels of service. If something goes wrong; the less mature or independent suppliers don’t turn those issues around quickly enough for us,” says van Leeuwen.
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