A Guide To Finding The Right Business Accommodation-00-5530

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However, for companies sending one or more members of staff on longer business trips or perhaps relocating them to different countries, hotels are not cost effective.

Previously, many companies would house employees, secondees and assignees in their own company-owned flats, but the recent economic downturn has seen many of these properties being sold off. While property prices were rising and interest rates were low, company flats were a good investment so most corporations didn't mind too much if they were not fully occupied. But when property values started to fall, mortgage rates rose, credit became scarce and companies needed an injection of cash, so many company flats were sold off.

Companies have since turned to serviced apartments in increasing numbers. The advantages of serviced apartments are well documented but essentially boil down to six main points: they are more spacious, offer more privacy, include fully equipped kitchens with laundry facilities, are regularly cleaned, are more cost effective and have an all-inclusive nightly rate.

But how do you find the right serviced apartment for you? ...
... Do you go for an extended stay aparthotel which, along with the individual apartments, provide hotel-style services such as in-room dining, concierge, or an on-site restaurant? Alternatively there are serviced apartments in purpose-built residential-style buildings or individual private serviced apartments. Your budget, length of stay, location, and personal preferences will all be factors in helping you decide which style suits you best.

A search on the internet for corporate serviced apartments throws up over 62 million results, but this can be reduced by including other search terms, such as the city name or standard required. Many of the results will be from individual companies offering their own apartments, but comparing different apartments, their facilities, Terms and Conditions and rates is very time consuming, and then more inconvenient still is making several calls, only to find that none of them are actually available.

The solution is to use a serviced apartment agent. Many agents represent thousands of apartments suitable for business accommodation in cities all over the world, and their websites will feature a search facility enabling you to input your requirements to find the perfect one: your nightly budget, length of stay, number of bedrooms required, whether you need parking, business services, or disabled access.

Alternatively you can call the agent directly and let them do all the hard work! A good agent will answer your call quickly, deal with your enquiry efficiently, offer you a selection of apartment options and provide full written quotes within an hour. They will also make arrangements with the different apartment providers to show you around as many apartments as you wish, with no obligation. Agents also deal with all of the accompanying paperwork for your booking, check terms and conditions, simplify cancellation policies, negotiate rates and provide finance options.

Good agents make a point of visiting the apartments they represent, meaning that they offer the client first hand advice on your business accommodation; a woman staying alone may ask for an apartment with a video entry system, or a man working away from his young family may require an apartment that can provide cots or high chairs for when they come to visit. These details may not be advertised but the agent should be aware of them, thanks to establishing a good working relationship with the apartment owners.

About the Author:

SilverDoor is a company that represents over 300 serviced apartment companies, in over 190 international cities. Whether you are interested in short or long term http://www.silverdoor.co.uk/, SilverDoor will be able to assist in your search for the right http://www.silverdoor.co.uk/.