The Complete Guide to Serviced Apartments


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Frequent travelers know the importance of finding a comfortable and stylish temporary apartment. They need somewhere they can feel comfortable and at ease. When you need to find the perfect home away from home, serviced apartments are the best option.

At a furnished and serviced apartment, you can get all the convenient amenities that make trips memorable. You will also stay somewhere where you can truly relax and feel safe.

Learn all about serviced housing and why Furnished Quarters is your best option.

What is a Serviced Apartment?

Serviced apartments are ideal for luxurious living when you’re far from home. They come completely furnished with chairs, beds, plush linens and pillows, hand-selected décor, and a fully equipped kitchen. These apartments are available for short-term or long-term stays and are usually booked monthly.

The ease and comfort of a serviced apartment is its biggest appeal. At these apartments, you will have a full range of services like doormen, concierge and maintenance staff, and 24/7 guest services.

What’s Included in a Serviced Apartment?

Every serviced apartment comes with added features to make your stay a cut above the rest. The exact details often change depending on the location and company, but in general, each location will have these four features.

1. Furnishings and Appliances

Choose a studio apartment or one with separate rooms, whatever fits your needs best. In any size apartment, you’ll find comfortable beds, sturdy dining furniture, and even a sleeper sofa waiting for you. An in-apartment kitchen will include essential appliances like a refrigerator, microwave, stove, toaster, and kettle. The kitchen will also come fully equipped with cooking ware, dishes, and utensils.

The convenience grows with access to a washer and dryer. No need to run to a laundromat or hire a service. You can easily wash your clothes without having to leave the building. You’ll find the washer and dryer either in-unit or in a communal space depending on the exact location.

2. Utilities and Services

At most serviced apartments you’ll get exclusive access to WiFi. At a Furnished Quarters location, you get not only top-of-the-line high-speed internet but also Smart TVs for easy streaming. 

Housekeeping is a major bonus while staying in serviced housing, and you can add it on to your stay if you choose. With that choice of frequent housekeeping visits, you’ll ensure your apartment is always clean with fresh linens. If there are any things that need repairs or maintenance, that’s all included in every Furnished Quarters stay, with experienced technicians who will arrive promptly.

3. Amenities

Where you stay matters, but the included amenities make the difference between having a good guest experience and an amazing one.

Some serviced housing locations will have fitness centers and pools so you can lead an active lifestyle without having to start a new gym membership. Some locations will also have business centers where you can perform your workday tasks in privacy and comfort.

4. Security

We can’t speak for other serviced apartments, but safety is always our first concern for guests. To ensure every guest can rest knowing they’re protected, in many of our locations, we provide a number of safety features.

  • Secure entry with private keycards and codes
  • Attentive front desk employees who will turn away anyone without a keycard or invitation
  • 24/7 security personnel stationed in the building
  • CCTV surveillance in common areas that is regularly reviewed
  • Top-of-the-line smoke detectors and fire alarms
  • Secure door locks and peepholes
  • Private in-unit safes for valuables

With these security features, you won’t have to worry about taking extra measures to feel safe like you might need to in a hotel or rental property.

Dedicated Workspace at The Strathmore – 400 East 84th Street, New York, NY

What to Bring and What to Leave Home

When you’re about to move in to a serviced housing location, you need to know what goes into your suitcase and what’s better to leave at home or in a storage unit.

What to Bring

  • Personal toiletries
  • Clothing
  • Personal items like books, games, and knickknacks
  • Essential work equipment

What to Leave Home

  • Furniture and large appliances
  • Kitchenware and linens
  • Excessive personal belongings
  • Cleaning supplies

At Furnished Quarters, we have pet-friendly locations! Your furry friend doesn’t have to stay at home; they can come on your trip with you! Learn more about Furnished Quarters’ pet options.

How are Serviced Apartments Priced?

Cost is an important consideration when selecting a serviced apartment. At Furnished Quarters,  average rates are 30-50% less than high-end hotels and includes utilities and high-speed internet. For small added fees, you can even get exclusive parking spots and optional housekeeping services to make your stay even more comfortable.

Every Furnished Quarters location accepts credit card and bank transfers as payments for each stay. You can set up monthly billing cycles if you’re not sure how long you want to stay, or pay upfront for the exact duration of your use of the apartments.

To make things even more affordable and easy, Furnished Quarters also offers exclusive guest perks for their patrons to enjoy. We have corporate rates for business travelers and exclusive partner guest perks for people who pay ahead for a long-term stay, including for dog walking services, childcare services, pet grooming, and more.

What If My Plans Change?

We know how plans can change unexpectedly and we want to make our guests feel accommodated. To help, we provide options for modifying booking dates, flexible lease terms, and we do allow for early checkout or last-minute stay extensions.

Primary Bedroom at The Strathmore – 400 East 84th Street, New York, NY

The Complete Serviced Housing Arrival Guide

Staying at a serviced housing location for the first time can feel intimidating. Here are some simple steps that will make the process as simple and pain-free as possible.

1. Arriving

Prior to your arrival, you will receive an email communication series outlining your reservation information, what is required to check in, and many more details of what to expect throughout the duration of your stay. If any questions do arise before you depart, our 24/7 guest service team is ready to assist.

2. Checking In

We take pride in our contactless check-in approach; guests have everything they need to ensure they arrive promptly and everything will be ready for them. Including a welcome envelope which will include keys and necessary access pods.

3. Welcome Package

When you first arrive, all Furnished Quarters apartments are stocked with essentials like complimentary high-end L’Occitane toiletries, dish soap and sponges, paper towels, garbage liners, and bathroom tissue. They’ll also give you all the necessary contact information for building management, the 24/7 guest service team, and emergency services in the area.

4. Building Orientation

When you first move in, we want you to quickly acclimate to the serviced housing location. To help you get settled, concierge or building staff may offer a quick building orientation where you can get information about building amenities and services. This may include a tour of amenities, like the business center, fitness center, and common areas. If you prefer to explore on your own, all guests will receive access to MyFQ, an exclusive guest application that offers important building and neighborhood information at the touch of a button.

5. Local Area Guide

Our guest service team and the MyFQ application make any Furnished Quarters stay special. We’ll also provide you with monthly newsletter outlining the best local restaurants, bars, and cafes. Not only that, but we’ll inform you about any local attractions and activities as well as transportation means in the area. This will make sure your trip is unique and allow you to live like a true local.

6. Departure and Move Out

As your departure date approaches, our team will contact you with the option to extend your lease if you desire. If you choose to move out when your lease ends, Furnished Quarters will provide detailed move out instructions and professional cleaning services when you depart so you can spend your last days enjoying the apartment, focusing on packing, and moving to your new destination.

Dining Area at The Strathmore – 400 East 84th Street, New York, NY

Why Choose Serviced Housing for Your Next Trip or Emergency Situation

Anyone can find the best luxury serviced housing options when they choose Furnished Quarters. You can live in safe comfort with countless amazing services that ensure a memorable trip.

Explore your options today and find a Furnished Quarters in your ideal location. We can’t wait to get your apartment ready for you.