What's included in a serviced apartment?

The basics: a self-contained home

The UK trade body, the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, describes serviced apartments as self-contained, self-catering accommodation that usually offers more space and flexibility than a traditional hotel room. In practice that means a sleeping area, a living area, a bathroom and some form of kitchen, all furnished and ready to use.

Studios combine sleeping and living space in one room; one-bedroom and larger apartments separate them. Listings normally state the apartment type and how many people it sleeps, and many give a floor area, which is the most reliable way to compare space between buildings.

Kitchen equipment

Apartment kitchens typically include a sink, a fridge, a microwave and a hob, with some adding a dishwasher and a conventional oven. Smaller units may have a kitchenette — a compact run of appliances along one wall — rather than a full kitchen. Expect basic crockery, cutlery, glasses, pans and utensils for the number of guests the apartment sleeps.

What varies is the detail. A kettle and toaster are common; a proper oven, a freezer compartment, sharp knives, a baking tray or a coffee machine are not guaranteed. If you plan to cook more than simple meals, check the listing's appliance list or ask the operator.

• Hob type and number of rings
• Oven, or microwave only
• Dishwasher and dishwasher tablets
• Starter supplies such as washing-up liquid, bin bags, salt, oil, tea and coffee

Linen, towels, utilities and Wi-Fi

Bed linen and towels are normally provided on arrival, and on longer stays they are changed as part of housekeeping or on a set schedule. Utilities — electricity, heating, water — are usually included in the rate, which is one of the practical advantages over renting a flat yourself for a short period.

Internet access is a standard inclusion. Speed and reliability are another matter: if you work online, ask whether the connection is shared across the building or private to the apartment, and whether there is a wired option. Our guide to serviced apartments for business travel covers workspace in more detail. On any shared or public network, the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre advises considering a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your connection.

Housekeeping and laundry

Housekeeping is part of what makes an apartment 'serviced', but frequency differs widely. Some buildings clean daily like a hotel, many clean weekly with a linen change, and some offer cleaning only on request. Long-stay rates sometimes assume less frequent service, so do not assume the frequency on a nightly rate carries over to a monthly one.

Laundry also varies. Some apartments have their own washing machine or washer-dryer; others share a self-service laundry room in the building, which is a common arrangement in apartment hotels. For trips of more than a week, being able to wash clothes on site cuts down what you need to pack; our long-stay checklist covers this and more.

What is often extra

Services beyond the basics are where costs can creep in. The following are commonly charged separately or only available at some properties:

• Additional cleaning beyond the included schedule, or a final clean on departure
• Parking, especially in city centres
• Early check-in or late check-out
• Pets, where allowed at all
• Cots, high chairs or extra beds
• Breakfast, grocery delivery or welcome packs
• Gym, meeting-room or coworking access
• Local tourist or city taxes, which may be collected separately

Reception, security and building facilities

Beyond the apartment itself, look at what the building offers. Aparthotels often have a reception desk, though hours vary and some run entirely on self check-in with door codes or app keys. A staffed desk is useful for parcels, late arrivals and anything that goes wrong; if there is none, find out how to reach someone at night.

Some buildings add a gym, a lounge, coworking space, bicycle storage or a small shop. These can be useful on longer stays but are rarely essential, so weigh them against the basics: the kitchen, the bed, the connection and the cleaning schedule. Security features such as controlled entry, a safe in the apartment and secure luggage storage are worth checking if you are carrying work equipment or arriving before your apartment is ready.

Finally, consider who the apartment is for. A couple on a city break, a family with a pushchair and a consultant on a three-month project will each prioritise different inclusions, so read the listing with your own trip in mind.

What to check before booking

Read the full listing and the booking terms rather than the summary. Mandatory fees should be visible before you pay: in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's rule on unfair or deceptive fees, in force since May 2025, requires short-term lodging to show a total price including mandatory fees, with some charges such as government taxes allowed to be shown before final payment. Rules differ elsewhere, so check the final total yourself.

Then ask the operator directly about anything your stay depends on. A short message before booking costs nothing and gives you a written answer to point to later.

• How often is the apartment cleaned, and are linen and towels changed?
• Is there a washing machine in the apartment or a shared laundry?
• Is the kitchen full or a kitchenette, and is there an oven?
• How fast is the Wi-Fi, and is there a desk?
• What are the check-in arrangements and reception hours?
• What is the cancellation policy for this rate?