Serviced apartments for business travel and project stays

Why apartments suit work trips

The advantages build up with each night. A separate living area means you are not working from the end of the bed. A kitchen means you can eat when and what you like instead of relying on restaurants after long days. Laundry facilities, either in the apartment or shared in the building, let you travel with a cabin bag for a fortnight.

Aparthotels book like hotels, with no fixed tenancy, which keeps them simple for travel managers. They also tend to suit people who travel for work repeatedly to the same city: a familiar building, a known commute and a predictable routine make each trip less tiring.

Workspace and internet

Do not assume every apartment has a desk. Studios in particular may have only a small table. Check the photos and facilities list for a desk or dining table you can work at, a supportive chair, enough light and a socket within reach of where you will sit.

Internet access is a standard inclusion, but quality varies. Ask whether the connection is private to the apartment or shared across the building, and whether a wired connection is available for video calls. The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre advises considering a VPN on any public or shared Wi-Fi, and keeping devices and software up to date; your employer's IT policy may require it. A mobile hotspot is a sensible backup for important meetings.

• Desk or table suitable for a laptop and a second screen
• Private or shared network, and whether there is a wired option
• Quiet room for calls, away from the street
• Meeting rooms or coworking space in the building, if you need them

Choosing the location

For business stays, the commute is the deciding factor. Map the route from the apartment to the office, client site or project location at the times you will actually travel. A short walk or a single direct public transport line is worth more than a central address with two changes.

Think about evenings too: a supermarket for groceries, a gym or somewhere to run, and places to eat alone without fuss. If colleagues are staying for the same project, apartments in one building make it easier to share transport and meet up.

Invoices and expensing

Expense rules are set by your employer, so read your company's travel policy before you book. Some companies require bookings through a travel management company or approved platform; others let staff book directly and claim back. A pre-trip approval process is a common part of travel policies and helps companies keep track of where travellers are.

Whichever route you use, ask at booking how invoices are issued. Useful questions include whether the invoice can be made out to your company, whether it is itemised (accommodation, cleaning, parking and other extras on separate lines) and whether a long stay can be invoiced monthly. Keep booking confirmations and any written changes together, as they make reconciliation easier. Tax treatment of travel and accommodation differs between countries and employers, so take advice from your finance team rather than relying on general guidance.

Corporate housing and duty of care

Corporate housing is a relocation-industry term for furnished apartments rented on a temporary basis as an alternative to hotels, typically for a month or longer. It is used by people relocating, intern groups and companies housing staff on assignments. Serviced apartments are a large part of this market, often booked through specialist agents.

Employers have a duty of care towards staff who travel. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recommends that companies keep clear communication and emergency plans, educate travellers and make sure itinerary changes are reported. When choosing accommodation, accreditation can help: the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) quality accreditation assesses operators on safety, security, duty of care and quality and comfort.

Booking for teams and repeat trips

When several colleagues travel together for a project, apartments can be more practical than a block of hotel rooms. Two or three people can share a larger apartment with separate bedrooms where company policy allows it, or book individual studios in the same building to keep privacy while sharing transport.

For repeat trips, consistency counts. Using the same building or operator means travellers already know the arrival process, the commute and the neighbourhood, and any issues have usually been ironed out. It also gives the person arranging travel a single point of contact for invoices and changes.

Whoever books, keep a simple record of each stay: dates, traveller, address and the operator's emergency contact. That record supports duty of care and makes it quicker to respond if plans change or something goes wrong on the ground.

Longer assignments and project stays

For stays of several weeks or months, the details change. Long-stay rates may come with different cancellation terms and less frequent housekeeping than nightly rates, so confirm both in writing. Ask how extensions work if a project overruns and what notice is needed to leave early.

Space matters more over time: a one-bedroom apartment rather than a studio, a full kitchen rather than a kitchenette, and a washing machine. Our long-stay accommodation checklist covers these points, and if the assignment turns into a permanent move, see serviced apartments for relocation.