What Is an Aparthotel and How Does It Differ From a Hotel?
An aparthotel is a hotel where guests rent self-contained apartments with kitchens, while still getting hotel services such as reception and housekeeping. The name joins apartment and hotel, and the format sits between a standard hotel room and a private rental.
This guide explains what makes an apartment hotel different from a regular hotel and from a serviced apartment, using real brands as examples. For day-to-day running, see our guide to software and operations for serviced apartments.
Key Takeaways
An apartment hotel is a hotel where guests rent self-contained apartments with kitchens, while still getting hotel services such as reception and housekeeping.
Collins English Dictionary defines the term as a hotel in which self-catering service apartments are available for rent, joining apartment and hotel.
Staycity gives stays of seven nights or more a full clean on day four and every seven days after, instead of cleaning every day.
In 2014, the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers called serviced apartments an umbrella term and named apartment hotels as one planned sub-category.
Apartment hotel operators can run check-in, ID checks, long-stay payments and smart lock codes through one ChargeAutomation link, with up to 93% check-in completion.
Aparthotel vs Hotel: What Actually Changes for Guests?
The main difference is the kitchen, followed by the length of stay. A standard hotel room is built for sleeping, while an apartment hotel unit adds a kitchen and often a living area. Adagio, set up in 2007 by Accor and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, offers apartments with modern kitchens for medium and long stays.
Cleaning works differently too. Staycity says stays of six nights or fewer have no scheduled cleaning, though extra cleans can be bought. Stays of seven nights or more get a full clean on day four and every seven days after that, with fresh linen and towels.
A front desk is not what separates the two formats. Staycity says both of its brands offer 24-hour reception, with one exception in Berlin. The bigger shift is daily life, because a kitchen lets guests shop, cook and live as they would at home.
Travelers in the US will find a similar idea in longer-stay brands. Marriott's Residence Inn, for example, describes suites with full kitchens designed for longer stays. The labels differ by market, but the guest gets more space and a kitchen in both cases.
The main differences between an apartment hotel and a standard hotel are:
a kitchen or kitchenette in every unit
a separate living area in larger units
rates aimed at medium and long stays
cleaning scheduled by length of stay
a reception desk in many properties
units from studios to three-bedroom apartments
Serviced Apartment vs Aparthotel: Where the Line Sits
A serviced apartment is the wider category, and an apartment hotel is one type inside it. In 2014, the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) called serviced apartments an umbrella term for furnished apartments for short or long stays. Its definition included amenities, housekeeping and services, with taxes and utilities included in the rent.
The building is the clearest dividing line. Collins defines an apartment hotel as a hotel in which self-catering service apartments are available for rent, so the whole property runs as a hotel. A serviced apartment can also be a single unit in a residential block, run by an operator from a distance.
Guests feel the gap at arrival. In a hotel-style building, staff may hand over keys at a desk. In a stand-alone serviced apartment, guests often get a door code and check in online. ID, payment and house rules then have to be handled before they reach the door.
ASAP also listed corporate housing, extended stay, residences, suites and studios as planned sub-categories. That list shows how many formats share the same basic idea of a furnished home with services.
Serviced apartments and apartment hotels most often differ in these ways:
one building run like a hotel versus single units in residential blocks
a staffed lobby versus remote or self check-in
one operator for the whole property
door codes and smart locks for stand-alone units
taxes and utilities included in the rate
stays from a few nights to several months
How ChargeAutomation Supports Apartment Hotel Check-In and Payments
ChargeAutomation lets apartment hotel and serviced apartment operators run check-in, ID checks and payments through one guest link. The link goes out by email, SMS, WhatsApp or QR code, and guests do not need an app. Lobby staff can also use a web-based kiosk or tablet mode for guests who arrive without checking in. ChargeAutomation connects with 50+ PMS platforms, including Mews, Cloudbeds and Opera.
Longer stays need flexible payments. ChargeAutomation can split a booking into scheduled charges, retry failed payments and pre-authorize a security deposit with a 30-day authorization window. Guests can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or 40+ local payment methods.
Access ties the journey together. ChargeAutomation integrates with 40+ smart lock providers. It can hold codes back until conditions you set are met, such as online check-in, payment or ID approval. In Spain, Portugal and Germany, it can also send guest data to SES.Hospedajes, SIBA and the digital Meldeschein through AVS.
With one link handling the whole arrival, operators can reach up to 93% online check-in completion. Launch your online check-in at chargeautomation.com.
ChargeAutomation features that suit apartment hotels include:
online check-in links by email, SMS, WhatsApp or QR code
web-based kiosk mode for lobby check-in
ID and selfie verification through Stripe Identity
scheduled payments for long stays
security deposit pre-authorization
smart lock codes released after check-in
guest data reporting in Spain, Portugal and Germany
upsells for early check-in and late checkout
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an aparthotel and a hotel?
The main difference is that an apartment hotel unit has its own kitchen and usually more space than a hotel room. These properties also target medium and long stays and often schedule cleaning by length of stay. Guests still get hotel touches, such as a reception desk in many buildings.
Do apartment hotels clean rooms every day?
Not always, as cleaning often depends on the length of stay. Staycity, for example, schedules no cleaning for stays of six nights or fewer and offers extra cleans for a fee. Stays of seven nights or more get a full clean on day four and every seven days after.
Is a serviced apartment the same as an apartment hotel?
Not exactly, because serviced apartment is the wider term. In 2014, ASAP described serviced apartments as an umbrella term and listed apartment hotels as one planned sub-category. An apartment hotel runs a whole building as a hotel, while a serviced apartment can be a single unit.
Do apartment hotels have a 24-hour front desk?
Some do, but it varies by brand and building. Staycity says both of its brands offer 24-hour reception, except at one Berlin property. Smaller operators may use online check-in and smart locks instead of a staffed desk.
How do apartment hotels handle check-in for longer stays?
Many use online check-in so guests send ID, sign house rules and pay before arrival. With ChargeAutomation, long stays can be split into scheduled payments, and smart lock codes can be released once check-in is complete. Operators can reach up to 93% online check-in completion.
