What is a serviced apartment?

Kitchen and living area in Apartment L of the ipartment Berlin Airport

More space than in a hotel, more service than in a holiday apartment: Serviced apartments are the accommodation option for everyone who doesn’t want to do without a home while traveling.

In short

Apartment meets hotel, only better

A serviced apartment is a fully furnished living unit with its own kitchen and hotel-style service. You get cleaning, laundry service, Wi-Fi, and a contact person. At the same time, you also have the freedom to design your daily life yourself: cooking, working, arriving.

The big difference from a hotel room? Here, it’s not about staying overnight; it’s about living. A serviced apartment has a living area with a sofa, a work area, a fully equipped kitchen, and, depending on the category, a separate bedroom. Plus, there’s professional service in the background (as much as you need, as little as necessary).

And no: Serviced apartments are by no means just for business travelers on long-term projects. More and more city travelers, couples and families are discovering them as an alternative for a weekend, a week or half a year.

Three things that distinguish every serviced apartment

Kitchen in the XL apartment of ipartment Berlin Mitte

Crafted Kitchen

Private kitchen

Your kitchen, your rhythm

At least one kitchenette with a refrigerator, stove, sink, dishes and cooking utensils. With design concepts like ipartment, it is also said: custom-made designer kitchens where you can cook real meals, not just boil water.

Apartment in the ipartment Wolfsburg

Generous Living

Living and sleeping area

Space that points towards you

At least functionally separated, in larger apartments with their own bedrooms. There is space for working, dining and relaxing. Not just a bed and a desk.

Made bed in a serviced apartment

Invisible Care

Professional service

Feelably good. Invisibly organized.

Regular cleaning, laundry service including fresh bed linen/towels, in-house laundry rooms, concierge service and 24/7 accessibility. Modern providers also rely on digital processes: check-in via app, digital guest book, contactless key handover.

What is the difference to Hotel & Co.?

Serviced Apartment vs. Hotel

At the hotel you get maximum service: daily housekeeping, a 24-hour reception, often a restaurant and a spa. The price remains the same whether you stay for one night or three months.

In the serviced apartment you have more space for that, a separate kitchen and a cozy atmosphere. You save a lot on longer stays and still have someone taking care of cleaning and laundry.

Serviced Apartment vs. Holiday Apartment

Vacation rentals offer space and often charm, but you’re on your own. Cleaning? Do it yourself. Key handover? Usually by a private individual. Quality? Varied and inconsistent.

In the serviced apartment you get the same independence, but with professional backup: commercial operation, fixed quality standards, a local contact person and complete legal certainty.

Serviced apartment vs. furnished apartment

The furnished apartment is often the cheapest when rented on a monthly basis. In exchange, you need a rental agreement, pay a deposit, and take care of any additional costs yourself, such as utilities, internet, and cleaning.

In the serviced apartment there is Everything included: utilities, electricity, Wi-Fi, cleaning. You can book for one night and extend at any time, without having to look for another apartment or give notice.

Design Serviced Apartments throughout Germany

Living in temporary accommodation in Germany's major cities, available to book for one night and for as long as you wish to stay.

For whom a serviced apartment is worth it

Work Mode

Business travelers and project employees

Anyone who works for weeks or months in another city needs more than just a hotel room. The private kitchen saves on dining costs, the separate work area allows for focused work, and the price drops with the length of stay. Many providers offer corporate rates and direct company billing.

City Escape

City travelers and couples

Even for a weekend or a short trip, a serviced apartment makes all the difference. More space than a hotel room, a kitchen for your morning breakfast and an atmosphere that feels like home. Design apartments combine this with an urban flair and thoughtful decor.

Family Base

Parents, children and possibly a dog too?

Larger units with separate bedrooms and living areas are often more convenient and affordable than two hotel rooms. The children sleep next door while you enjoy the evening on the couch. And your dog is also very welcome.

FLEX STAY

Trade fair visitors, commuters and those in a hurry

Locations near exhibition grounds or airports provide a comfortable base that can be booked for a night or more. Unlike a hotel, a serviced apartment also feels like a retreat after the third day of a trade show, not just a stopover.

What matters when choosing

Most people take this into account when they ask themselves what type of accommodation or type of serviced apartment they want.

  • Situation:
    Central, close to the airport, or in the business district? The location should suit the purpose of the trip. Good providers have several locations per city.
  • Equipment and design:
    Is there a truly functionally separated living area or just a bed with a kitchenette? This is what makes the difference between „furnished“ and „livable“.
  • Service scope:
    What is included in the price? Cleaning, WiFi and utilities should be standard.
  • Price range:
    The longer the stay, the cheaper the night. With a month, the savings can % be up to 50.
  • Reviews:
    Genuine guest reviews on Booking, Google, and the like provide the best insight.

Our tip for companies

Ask directly for a corporate rate. Many serviced apartment providers offer corporate rates with individual pricing, centralized billing, and a dedicated contact person for your travel management. Especially for recurring projects or multiple employees in the same location, this can quickly pay off, often starting as early as the first stay.

ipartment Business Team

How much does a serviced apartment cost?

Prices depend on the city, location, size, and length of stay. Compact studios start at around €50 per night or €1,300 per month. Apartments with a separate bedroom cost between €70 and €120 per night.

The decisive advantage: The longer you stay, the less you pay per night. And in the price are usually included utilities, electricity, Wi-Fi, and basic cleaning.

Frequently asked questions about serviced apartments

An aparthotel offers more hotel-like infrastructure: 24/7 reception, restaurant, wellness. A serviced apartment offers a more flexible level of service, with a focus on independent living with professional support when needed.

Yes. Many providers allow bookings starting from one night. However, the price advantages are especially noticeable for longer stays.

For those who want more space, their own kitchen and a cozy atmosphere. Especially suitable for stays of 3 to 4 nights, families and business travelers with longer projects.

Similar to short stays. For a month, up to 50% % cheaper through a degressive pricing scheme. Plus savings through self-catering.

In addition to accommodation, professional services are offered: cleaning, laundry service, a local contact person, and often additional services such as a concierge service.

ipartment near you

Design Serviced Apartments throughout Germany

Never miss anything again

Be the first to learn about new locations, special offers, or special promotions – with the ipartment newsletter!

For the delivery of our newsletters, we use rapidmail. By registering, you agree that the entered data will be transmitted to rapidmail. Please also note the terms and conditions and privacy policy.