Have you heard the term “aparthotel” and wondered what it meant? This hybrid accommodation option combines the best of both worlds: the comfort and amenities of a standard hotel with the convenience and space of a residential apartment. If you’re curious about what an aparthotel is all about and how property managers can , this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the key info you need to know.
What is an aparthotel?
An aparthotel is a type of accommodation that offers self-contained units combining the features of an apartment and a hotel room. These units typically include a bedroom, living area, kitchenette, and bathroom, which provides guests with the flexibility and independence of a home away from home.
An aparthotel aims to cater to both short-term and extended stays, making it an ideal choice for business travelers, families, and individuals who desire more space and privacy than what a traditional hotel room offers. These accommodations can be booked through a number of platforms, including Airbnb and directing booking sites.
Aparthotel configurations and amenities
Aparthotels come in various configurations and offer a range of amenities. Here are some common configurations:
- Apart/Condo Style: In this setup, each unit is uniform, but guests on platforms like Airbnb may perceive it as a single listing. This configuration can help simplify management and marketing.
- Suites: Suites consist of two or more units combined to accommodate larger groups or families. Automation becomes crucial to handle these bookings seamlessly.
- Farmhouse/Multi-Unit: Each unit in this configuration is unique, and guests can book individual units, combinations, or the entire property. Effective automation is essential to manage these diverse booking requirements.
Much like short-term rentals, many aparthotels provide a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette in each unit. This allows guests to cook their own meals, saving money on dining out and providing the convenience of preparing food according to their preferences and dietary needs.
Additionally, aparthotels often offer spacious living areas, separate from the bedroom, providing guests with a comfortable space to relax and unwind, especially appealing for long stays.
While some aparthotels even offer business facilities, such as meeting rooms or co-working spaces, catering to the needs of business travelers, others might offer daily housekeeping, concierge services, 24-hour reception, on-site dining options, fitness facilities, and sometimes even swimming pools or spas.
Advantages of aparthotels for vacation rental managers
Nowadays, aparthotels can be found in many major cities and tourist destinations around the world, providing a diverse range of options for travelers seeking a combination of comfort, flexibility, and convenience. These accommodations also offer unique advantages to property managers.
Centralization of assets
Aparthotels, unlike traditional short-term vacation rental portfolios, offer the benefit of centralization. In an aparthotel, multiple units are housed within a single property, making it easier to service and maintain. This centralization of assets allows VRMs value for money with streamlined operations, leading to cost savings and more efficient property management.
Easier training for turnover staff
High staff turnover is a common challenge in the vacation rental industry. However, aparthotels can simplify this issue. Since the units within an aparthotel are often similar or identical (much like a traditional hotel), training new staff members becomes more straightforward. The repetitive nature of unit layouts and procedures can significantly reduce the learning curve, ensuring that your team can provide consistent service to guests.
Enhanced guest experience
Aparthotels offer a unique advantage when it comes to providing a memorable guest experience. Having one on-site staff member or concierge who can cater to the needs of multiple units allows for more personalized and efficient service. Furthermore, the cost of staffing can be spread across all the units, providing better value to guests without compromising on quality.
How to run aparthotels successfully
As with any property, aparthotels require dedicated management. Let’s explore the tools property managers may wish to consider investing in or leveraging when overseeing an aparthotel.
- Cleaning and turnover teams: Given the value of an aparthotel asset, consider having a dedicated daily housekeeping team as full-time hires or maintain solid contracts with overlap between cleaners to ensure units are consistently well-maintained. On-site laundry facilities will also expedite cleaning procedures.
- Maintenance requirements: Understand that maintenance for aparthotels differs from standalone vacation rentals. Critical assets like plumbing systems can affect the entire property, so proactive maintenance is essential.
- Automation: Automation is your ally when managing multiple units. It can help with tasks like check-in/check-out procedures, inventory management, and coordinating maintenance requests efficiently.
- Property management system (PMS): For suites and multi-unit aparthotels, choose a PMS that supports parent-child relationships. This allows you to manage bookings effectively, ensuring that one unit’s reservation doesn’t preclude reservations for other units.
- Dynamic pricing and revenue management: Implement dynamic pricing strategies or enlist a revenue manager to help maximize your profits. Your PMS should support bulk pricing edits to adjust rates in response to market shifts.
- Guest experience: While providing personalized experiences is important to short-term rentals, aparthotels can offer a more hotel-like feel, allowing for slightly less personalized service. Nevertheless, cleanliness, local recommendations, clear communication, and responsiveness are absolutely crucial for guest satisfaction.
- Ratings and reviews: In true aparthotels, ratings for one unit or stay impact the entire portfolio. So monitor and manage ratings meticulously! Actively respond to reviews, request 5-star reviews post-stay, and maintain a feedback system to continuously improve.
Conclusion
Aparthotels are a game-changer for vacation rental property managers, offering centralized efficiency, streamlined staff training, and often longer stay bookings. By carefully managing these unique accommodations and harnessing the power of automation, dynamic pricing, and guest feedback, property managers can unlock the full potential of aparthotels and thrive in a competitive market.
