When researching accommodation solutions for corporate travellers staying longer than 7 nights but less than 3 months, you are most likely going to come across short lets. Short lets are best described as accommodation you can rent on a short term basis without any contractual terms to stay for a fixed length of time.
However, short lets can vary in price, facilities, inclusions and services (in different cities) and as a result there are potential pain points when booking this type of accommodation that a booker or a corporate guest may only become aware of after confirming the stay or arriving at their accommodation.
As serviced apartment specialists, we provide transparent pricing and no hidden fees to help clients find professionally-managed, fully inclusive, vetted short term accommodation in safe and convenient locations.
Here are some common challenges bookers face when choosing short let accommodation for work trips:
1. Hidden Fees and Unexpected Extras
Short term accommodation is available to book on many websites as well as through local real estate agents but the rate displayed and offered on these channels may not always include taxes, cleaning fees, security deposits or even utility bills. They may only appear at the time of booking or check-out.
You may find a really cheap nightly rate, but then realise later on it was cheaper than other options because it did not show the total cost with the cleaning charge on departure.
It may not even include WiFi, meaning you will have to add the cost of setting this up to the overall cost of the stay as well.
Unfortunately this is quite common and can lead to frustration as it increases accommodation costs, making it stressful for bookers who need to adhere to travel budgets.
We always provide transparent all-inclusive pricing for short term serviced apartments with no hidden fees so that corporate travel managers can make an informed choice based on their budgets, requirements and team’s needs.
2. Inconsistent Quality and Standards
Short let accommodation is available in every property style and is not graded by any official rating system or minimum standards. They come in all sizes, layouts and price points and feature different furnishings, amenities and facilities on site.
Because of this, it is possible that the accommodation you book, may not exactly match the photos or descriptions you see on the website or listing.
Serviced apartment agencies like Checkin Apartments carefully vet the properties we offer and conduct regular inspections to ensure our listings are as detailed and accurate as possible with extra information including floorplans and 3D tours where this is available to manage expectations and avoid disappointment.
We are also careful to fully disclose any restrictions of the property such as no lifts, internal stairs, or lower ground floor units (basement flats).
3. Communication Issues
When booking short term accommodation with private landlords, there are often delays or difficulty in getting help for any issues or emergencies in the property, as they may not be available or take a while to come back to your query.
Issues can happen during a stay and your peace of mind is incredibly important, which is why we only offer serviced accommodation for short lets that come with a dedicated 24/7 helpline for any emergencies and a helpful guest services team during office hours.
This means in-house guest are well-looked after and can easily get assistance, should they need it.
4. Safety and Security Concerns
Short let accommodation is not always professionally managed, and as a result they do not have the same security features as hotels or serviced apartments.
This can compromise your duty of care obligations to your corporate travellers.
We would highly recommend booking through a serviced apartment specialist or choosing reputable serviced accommodation for any short lets, as safety is of paramount importance and just not worth the risk.
By selecting professional, independently accredited serviced accommodation you know the properties chosen for your teams are implementing security measures like CCTV or secure entry systems, have health and safety procedures in place and are generally taking care to ensure guests are safe during their stay.
5. Strict Cancellation or Refund Policies
Strict cancellation policies or unclear refund terms when booking short term accommodation can cause uncertainty if plans change unexpectedly for you or your corporate travellers.
Many serviced apartments offer flexible cancellation policies, making it easier to adjust or cancel bookings when there are changes.
We can provide clarity around refunds and usually offer alternatives if a booking has to be cancelled.
6. Unclear Instructions
Some short let accommodation may not provide detailed instructions after confirmation or lack clarity on things like key collection, check-in/out times, extra guests and other guest responsibilities while in the accommodation.
We provide all the key information relating to the serviced apartment stay at the time of booking including booking terms, check-in and check-out timings (including any luggage storage if available) and general house rules where applicable.
Serviced apartments also come with guest manuals within the accommodation with guides on using appliances, where to leave the keys and neighbourhood information as well.
This reduces confusion and helps the guests settle in without any hassle.
7. Limited Services & Customisation
Privately operated short let accommodation may lack services like housekeeping, provision of fresh linen and towels, fully stocked kitchens and laundry facilities that professional serviced apartments usually offer as standard.
Serviced apartments sometimes also offer the option to add extra beds for additional guests, twin bedding configuration, interconnection apartments, baby cots and high chairs for infants and pet-friendly amenities, allowing you to customise the stay even further.
8. Unpredictable Experiences
Booking privately operated short let accommodation can be unpredictable, especially if the listing is misleading or if the host cancels at the last minute, leaving you or your colleagues stranded without a place to stay.
Serviced apartments are available 365 days a years, with straightforward booking processes, reliable customer service with very rare instances of cancellations.
In summary, serviced apartments offer a level of professionalism, transparency and reliability that can help avoid many of the common pain points associated with renting short term accommodation for corporate travel.
Book a serviced apartment
If you would like to check availability or arrange a viewing, get in touch with us today.
We specialise in booking serviced apartments for short lets, corporate travel and relocations.
+44 203 189 1269
stay@checkinapartments.com
