Earlier this year I attended the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, a three-day event for industry speakers in the hospitality world. There was a noticeable buzz around the extended stay segment, from serviced apartments to aparthotels and co-living properties.
This segment has grown in recent years, with a rise in demand prompted by hybrid and remote work lifestyles. Since the pandemic particularly, there’s a growing number of employees no longer tied to a fixed location who have joined the hunt for accommodation that suits long stays.
Hotel groups are understandably keen to get in on the action, launching their own extended-stay brands, while long-standing operators are expanding their footprint. There are also plenty of new entrants keen to push the boundaries of what an extended stay should encompass. Here we look at some up-and-coming brands and discuss the latest trends in the industry.
LIVELY DESIGN
Serviced apartments and aparthotels are increasingly drawing inspiration from the lifestyle segment, steering away from the corporate tag and introducing playful design into their properties.
Dutch brand Zoku, which has properties in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Vienna and Paris (see our Tried and Tested review on page 78), certainly adds a fun element to the mix. For co-founder and managing director Hans Meyer, the long-stay accommodation market was missing a sense of adventure, character and creature comforts. “What I found was that a serviced apartment was a double-sized hotel room with a microwave, and a public space with a vending machine and that’s about it,” he says.
Bu hikaye Business Traveller UK dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Business Traveller UK dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
BACKGROUND This biophilic property opened in June 2023 and is the second Pan Pacific hotel in the city, the other being the Pan Pacific Singapore. The hotel is a member of the Green Collection within the GHA Discovery loyalty programme. It is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability credentials.
The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
BACKGROUND The Hoxton brand debuted in London's Shoreditch in 2006 and is part of Ennismore, in which Accor holds a majority stake. The brand has 16 properties across Europe and North America, including two in Amsterdam - the first opened in 2015 in the city centre, followed by this property in the Eastern Docklands in August 2023.
Ruby Zoe, London
BACKGROUND Germany's Ruby Hotels launched in 2013, and operates 17 properties in locations including Amsterdam, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Zurich.
London Hilton on Park Lane
BACKGROUND The London Hilton on Park Lane opened in 1963 - the first Hilton property in the UK. To celebrate its 60th anniversary last year, the hotel embarked on an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment led by the GA Group.
Philippine Airlines A321 business class SINGAPORE-MANILA
BACKGROUND Philippine Airlines operates flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, using A321ceo aircraft, which stands for 'current engine option, indicating an older aircraft than the A321neo. My flight (PR502) was a morning departure at 1035, arriving 1425 local time in Manila.
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