It's just the latest example of the efforts hoteliers are making to attract longer-term guests. In Asia, soft property markets have increased the availability of these units, which typically combine hotel-style amenities like housekeeping and room service with homey features like kitchens and laundry facilities. Short-term rental apartments are a booming business in the United States, where more and more companies are insisting that employees take fewer but longer trips to single destinations. In the U.S., the number of travelers staying three nights or longer has more than doubled in the past decade. Most of Oakwood's tenants in Asia stay four weeks or more, Grealy says.
Asian cities are also home to scores of independently run serviced apartments.
Foxtons Worldwide , based in London, represents owners of serviced apartments in 15 Asian cities. We find our clients often come back with their families for vacations. Once you've stayed this way, you're hooked. Not surprisingly, hotels are also offering serviced apartments to sweeten the deal for longer-term guests. These days, it pays to shop around, and make yourself at home.