SERVICED APARTMENTS
into the expensive hotel mini-bar! And you’re not stuck with restaurant opening times and menus, you can prepare food that fits your taste and your budget, and as you’ll have a full fridge for food storage, you can shop to order and you’ve even got the fridge for any leftovers, just as you might in your own home. It also allows you to live like a local – getting to know local shops and facilities, so it will all become a familiar experience in your new life. And it’s comfortable for anyone wanting to eat alone – no more awkward tables-for-one in a restaurant or bar. Another advantage is that, while most hotels provide a laundry service, serviced apartments usually have their own washing machines and tumble dryers, so you can do your own laundry in the apartment whenever you need. Some apartment providers even offer the chance to choose and hang a piece of your own artwork, adding to that homely familiarity. But it’s not just about domesticity. Many apartments proudly offer the latest mod cons, things like keyless entry systems, complimentary guest smartphones, tablet-controlled rooms, mood lighting and more – with high speed Wi-Fi pretty much as standard. You may or may not get all of this when you find your new permanent home; but
Relocating from one country to another can, at times, feel overwhelming. Even if you’ve done it before, there are always so many things to do and arranging where to live is a primary concern. Searching and securing a permanent home is a tall order when you’re doing it hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. And while most of us enjoy a hotel getaway, a prolonged stay is far from ideal – however convenient it may be in the short-term. So, one perfect stepping stone for expatriates, especially those looking beyond a hotel but not yet as far as permanent accommodation, is a serviced apartment. The benefits are plenty, the costs are often lower than a hotel, and they offer the best of all worlds. On the one hand, you get the full hotel treatment - freshly made beds, professional front-of-house services, and at least weekly cleaning. And on the other, you get lots of added space, much greater privacy, and a true sense of a home-away-from-home. One of the biggest advantages is that you have a self-contained, fully furnished flat, including your own fully equipped kitchen, so you aren’t dependent on restaurants, room service or dipping 39
