Serviced apartments gaining favour over hotels

Singapore

SERVICED apartments are losing their stigma as the less glamorous and poorer cousins of hotels, as shrinking corporate budgets siphon business travellers away from hotels to them.

At the same time, a growing need for longer-term transient homes brought on by greater global mobility is feeding demand for serviced apartments, which are cheaper to stay in since residents don't have to pay for extras such as restaurants and bars, swimming pools, conference rooms and business services.

Serviced apartments also tend to feel more like home - larger and complete with a laundry area and fully equipped kitchen. This is good for the frugal and savvy business traveller because since the global financial crisi…