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Do you know what to look for when selecting serviced apartments for your business?

Guest post by: Philip Mercado

Article Overview: This article is all about corporate housing and serviced apartments. It conveys what you will look when selecting serviced apartments for your business

Do you know what to look for when selecting serviced apartments for your business?

Corporate housing for your business

When trying to establish an international presence, corporate housing can greatly impact your operations. Setting up business abroad is a costly process and for this reason, particularly in the current poor economic climate, expensive hotels are no longer the default choice for companies sending personnel abroad. Alternative corporate housing, such as serviced apartments, are fast becoming the smart choice for businesses seeking to expand into global markets. Simply put, serviced apartments or aparthotels are apartments that provide hotel-like services.

Many businesses are opting to use serviced apartments over hotels because, as well as saving money, they also offer amenities that hotels can't provide, and a home from home experience which helps to ensure that staff operate at their very best wherever they are in the world.

Are you new to corporate housing? Here's what you should look for.

Sending staff abroad requires substantial investment, and ensuring that this investment reaps returns is vital to the continued success of your business. Choosing the right accommodation will make certain that your staff are comfortable and have the amenities they need close to hand, which in turn will help secure the success of your overseas projects.

Whilst cost is a key concern when deciding on corporate housing, there are also other factors to consider when choosing accommodation.

Location - Choosing the right location for corporate housing is as important as choosing the people to represent your business abroad. Accommodation near (if not in the heart of) the business district is an ideal choice. Not only will close proximity to the business district enhance your corporate image and afford your people easy access to clients, it will also enable them to easily access transport links, restaurants, bars, laundrettes, shops, public parks and the like. In addition, who is going to be the more productive worker - the one who sits in traffic for an hour every morning, or the one who leisurely strolls to meetings? Yes, it really is all about location, location, location.

Communications - In today's fast paced global markets, 24/7 connectivity is vital to staying ahead in business. Wherever they are in the world, dependable telephone and internet services are a must for your staff, so be sure to check these services when choosing an apartment.

Household amenities- Believe it or not, business travellers get tired of eating out every night. Being able to nuke something in the microwave, or cook a favourite meal and slob out in front of the TV can be the perfect antidote to make your staff feel human again after an exhausting day of meetings. Household amenities like a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer are important features which set serviced apartments apart from impersonal hotel rooms.

Security - Your business needs to protect its most important asset - its people. Safety is a major concerns for expats when staying in a foreign city. Choose units that provide 24-hour security within the apartment complex and also within each unit.

Great customer service - Let's face it, there are some good things about hotels - housekeeping, on site concierge, the gym and that fantastic spa on the second floor - look for serviced apartments that offer these amenities to get the best of both worlds. Also, don't forget to check that the complex has dependable maintenance staff who speak some English.

Aesthetics and functionality - Nobody wants to stay in an apartment that reminds them of a college dorm. The type of corporate housing you choose conveys information about your business. What image do you want to express to your clients and staff? Are you a family business wishing to sell your services through your old-fashioned values, or are you a cutting-edge business leading the field? Choose an apartment that reflects the aspirations and values of your business, be that classic and homely, or modern and corporate. Also, think about how many people you need to be able to accommodate and whether your staff will need offices or meeting rooms on site.

Where to start

Selecting the right corporate housing for your business can seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of research, it's easy to find accommodation that fits your needs, expectations and budget. Start by looking online at apartment service.com that offer comprehensive packages and flexible payment schemes.

Lastly, trust your instincts - remember it is your business and you know it best.

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Article Tags: aparthotels, corporate housing, serviced apartments



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