APARTMENTS NEW TRENDS

Longer stays, community-focused activities and sustainability are top priorities for serviced apartment guests

- HANNAH BRANDLER

Interest in serviced apartments increased during the pandemic, as travellers wanted additional space, flexibility and places for remote working. While we are leaving those Covid years behind, such requirements remain significant to travellers. In addition, the sector is seeing the introduction of new brands, as well as a larger focus on eco-friendly operations and multipurpose accommodation that appeals to both business and leisure travellers. Finally, operators are also gearing up for a younger cohort of travellers - Generation Z - who are looking for experiences which draw on local surroundings.

Here we look at five trends within the industry, and what to expect in the coming years. For further information on the sector, see our feature 'Serviced apartments: Community spirit' (June 2022).

HOTEL CHAINS INVEST IN EXTENDED STAYS

Large hotel groups are betting on the long-term success of the serviced apartment sector, introducing new brands while also expanding the reach of existing extended stay brands.

Building on the group's 26 years of experience with Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott International announced its Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy in November 2022. Properties will not include traditional hotel services such as dining venues and meeting spaces, but all apartments will feature a separate living room and bedroom, kitchen and in-unit washer and dryer. No locations have been announced at the time of going to press, but the group expects to bring the brand to the US and Canada.