The Emergence of Serviced Apartments/Apart-Hotels and Opportunities Post COVID-19
Abstract
Serviced apartments are becoming more mainstream as people become more aware of this asset class. Since the onset of Covid-19, people have opted for serviced apartments instead of a hotel for self-contained, typically with more space with a living area, kitchen and access to laundry facilities throughout the pandemic. Combined with lower operating costs, higher profit margin, and lower cost per key at development revealed the financial resilience of this asset class as most serviced apartments operated at a higher occupancy than hotels. With renewed interest from developers and owners keen to build or convert their existing properties to serviced apartments, This paper shows the financial success of serviced apartments over the pandemic and why the asset class is most successful. We will also identify some of the opportunities that lie ahead for the serviced apartment industry in the future.