What is an aparthotel?

How we decide what counts

Not every property that calls itself an apartment is an aparthotel. We score every property on the data our booking partner provides: whether it is classified as an aparthotel, whether it belongs to a known aparthotel brand, whether the rooms have a kitchen or kitchenette, the room sizes, and whether there is a front desk or housekeeping. Private holiday flats without any hotel-style service are excluded.

Of the 31177 aparthotels in our catalogue, 56% list a full kitchen in at least one apartment type and a further 19% a kitchenette, 23% have an in-apartment washing machine and 14% list a laptop-friendly workspace. Where room sizes are published, the median apartment is 42 m².

What you usually get

Inside the apartment: a bedroom or sleeping area, a living space, a bathroom and a kitchen or kitchenette with a fridge, hob and kettle. Many add a dining table, a washing machine or a desk. In the building: a reception or a staffed help line, cleaning on a fixed rhythm, and often a laundry room or a small shop for basics. Because the building is run as one business, there is someone to call when the heating stops or a key card fails, which is the main practical difference from renting a private flat.

What you usually do not get is the full-service side of a large hotel: room service, a restaurant on every floor or daily turndown. That is the trade-off for more space and a kitchen of your own.

Aparthotel, serviced apartment or holiday rental?

The terms overlap. Serviced apartments is the older name, common for corporate stays, and is often used for the same kind of building. A holiday rental is different: usually a private flat with self check-in, no reception and cleaning only between guests. On aparthotel.com we only list managed properties, so each one has the hotel-style service behind the apartment.

For a side-by-side comparison with a standard hotel room, read aparthotel vs hotel.

Who aparthotels suit

Families who want a separate living room and a fridge for the children's food; business travellers on stays of a week or more; groups who would otherwise book several hotel rooms; and anyone who simply prefers to cook.

Aparthotel brands

We currently list properties from 34 brands, including Home2 Suites (175), Residence Inn (126), Homewood Suites (105), TownePlace Suites (61), Ascott (54) and Staybridge Suites (53).

Where to find them

The cities with the most choice on aparthotel.com are Istanbul, Ho Chi Minh City, Gold Coast, Manila, Hanoi and Riyadh.