Serviced Apartments Vs Airbnb
With the new trend of shared economy, budget airline and internet, the travel industry has been shaken up and evolved tremendously in the last decade.
In the past, the natural choice of accommodation were motels or hotels, often booked through travel agencies or direct international calls. Bed and Breakfast (B and B) was an option too. However, BnB was expensive and limited in number. Serviced apartments were unheard of then.
Who would have known that the Bed & Breakfast and serviced apartments would be the stay of choice now?
Serviced apartments are favoured by large families and long-stay corporate clients or expats. Airbnb, the simplified Bed and Breakfast (often comes with no breakfast in contrary to its name), is the favourite choice among independent holiday travelers, budget and shoe-string travelers. Combined, both are higher demanded than hotel bookings!
What are the key considerations to decide between the two then? There are 3 factors to consider:
Consistency and Standardization of services
Most serviced apartments are corporatized and managed by experienced hospitality professionals. Formal Standard Operational Procedures are in place that define the layout, furnishing and services provided. If you are one that feels disorientated with different housing style each time you travel or you irk at the housekeeping standard of home-run Bed and Breakfast, you will feel more confident in staying with the serviced apartment over Air BnB, where quality control and reputation are paramount to the former.
Customer Service
Serviced apartments specialize in serving business professionals. Due to this nature of business, the customer service standard is typically extremely high. Services usually include concierge, guest services and extended hours support. With Airbnb, you will not be able to know what to expect. Will you be received by the homeowner himself, or would it be a key drop arrangement? Is he staying in the same house with you, providing ‘local advices and directions’ or is he running the facility as an additional income and staying in a separate home? If you have an issue with your stay, where could you file a complaint? If you aren’t happy, can you change the room? The answer is ‘No’. The only recourse is that you leave a bad review on Airbnb portal to warn other travelers against it.
With serviced stays, on the other hand, you will have customer service and quality control staff who will dedicate their services to ensure that your stay is delightful. The professionals will find ways to remediate your unhappiness, such as a change of rooms or eradicating the source of discomfort.
Costs & Fees
With Air BNB, there are hidden fees, such as booking and cleaning fees. Usage of internet, phone, and laundry are often not included. If you do not read the fine-print, you can end up paying more than what you have bargained for. However, with the serviced route, the apartment price is usually all-inclusive of whatever you need during your stay, including utilities, WIFI, laundry services and even soap detergent.
In conclusion, Air BNB is the obvious sub-par option to travelling. In terms of comfort, flexibility, cost, quality and consistency, the serviced apartment route is the natural winner. There are no surprises, no hidden cost. Hence, for your next business trip or extended stay, consider these factors and choose the serviced apartment stay. After all, you should settle down quickly and enjoy the experience of your stay without having to be upset over unnecessary distractions and discomfort that should be a given.
10 Tips for Effective Business Travel
You’re a pro. You use travel apps we haven’t even heard of to get the best deals on flights and hotel rooms. You are platinum diamond elite listed everywhere. But still, you feel like there is more you could do to maximize your next business trip (and manage to come home refreshed). Here are 9 things the savvy business traveler should do for every trip.
1. Pack Smart
There are so many reasons to fit everything you need into one carry-on. You’ll breeze through security and you don’t have to wait around at the baggage claim. Make sure you’re bringing only what you need and that you’ve packed it well. Even if you check luggage, you should have a change of clothes and a toothbrush right at hand (just in case).
2. Mail Ahead
With the outrageous checked luggage fees that airlines are charging these days, it no longer makes sense to pack an extra bag filled with whatever you might need. Instead, entrust those items to FedEx or Amazon and have them sent directly to your hotel. Be sure to tell the hotel to expect the box and have your date of arrival included on the outside label.
3. Manage Your Information
Your business trip paperwork includes at least the following: travel tickets, travel itinerary, hotel information, transfers, and meeting itinerary. You might also have a batch of contact information to manage for prospects and coworkers who are on the trip with you. Do yourself a favor and consolidate all that information in one email-specific folder or use an app like Evernote which syncs with your computer and your phone.
4. Exercise
Business travel can wreak havoc on your fitness routine and eating habits. Don’t let it. Whether you use the hotel gym or just go for a twenty-minute walk or jog, exercise is a great way to clear your head and to make sure those meals out don’t stick with you for the long term.
5. Use Your Time Wisely
Consider your flight part of your business day. Use that time to read up on new innovations in your field or, when you are free to use your electrical devices, write that report you haven’t had time for or proofread your presentation. Even if you don’t have Internet while in the air, you can always draft emails and have them ready to send when you land.
6. Stay (Somewhat) Connected
Cell service and Wi-Fi are modern conveniences most of us take for granted these days. But between airports with pay-to-play Internet, airplanes where you’re completely disconnected, and international trips where roaming charges still abound, you need to plan ahead. Most of the cell and Internet connectivity information for your destination (and all points in between) can be found online. Make sure you have the right types of devices and that your cell plan has you covered.
7. Schedule Some “You” Time
You are an efficient business travel machine. The temptation is to make every second of your trip count. You can meet clients at any hour and still be at your best. Except that you’re human too. Give yourself the benefit of a recharge. Whether you take an hour in the evening to Skype with your kids or plug in the pay-per-view, make sure you get the rest and relaxation you have earned. You’ll be better off tomorrow for it.
8. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is as important as relaxation. Cat naps on the plane (in between emails) will help you stay bright and professional for your meetings. But the best thing you can do for yourself, no matter where you are in the world, is get a good night of sleep.
9. Bring Your Smile
Now that you have your needs taken care of, think about the people around you. It’s easy to feel harried and frazzled and all kinds of other unpleasant adjectives when you’re away from your routine. Remember that every person you meet presents an opportunity to build a relationship. Being pleasant with your client is a given, but saying please or thank you to flight attendants, waiters, and hotel staff will brighten their day (and they’ll do their best to return the favor).
What business travel tips do you swear by?
