Short term rental – what to expect choosing this type of travel accommodation.

Short-term rental is a global trend of renting apartments and houses for short periods of time, from a single night to a couple of months. It is a broad term that encompasses whole spectrum of accommodation services; from sharing economy, vacant flats rented during their owners absence to whole buildings serviced and managed like hotels and everything in between. 

In Poland short-term rental is legal. In order to run such a business it is sufficient to have an active business and register the property in an index of “other hotel-like properties”. 

Short term rental is a great alternative for hotels and other large accommodation providers. Apartments provide a distinct kind of service, offering anonymity and privacy. Choosing this type of accommodation guests can benefit from all the equipment they have at home and is usually not offered by hotels.  Such as fully equipped kitchens and kitchenettes, washing machines, dryers, large dining spaces and often a separate room for accepting guests. 

Short term rental: helpful hosts and authentic experience

One of the greatest benefits for choosing a short-term rental as Your holiday apartment is authenticity of the experience. It is a great choice for travellers that like to be fully immersed in local life and experience the city as locals do. Apartments are often located in unique locations, dead ends and historic districts. Thanks to that, guests can visit places that will never be discovered by the people staying in large hotels located in the very city center. 

Business owners running a short-term rental businesses are referred to as ‘hosts’. The term originated first on airbnb.com, but as the phenomenon grew it spread onto other platforms such as: booking.com, expedia.com, hotels.com and other online agencies. What sets hosts apart from other short-term accommodation providers is individual and personalised client approach. A good host makes his property look stylish, reflect his personality and sneaks in local accents. A great host, will additionally, tell You about their neighbourhood and recommend local bars, restaurants and other attractions.  

Holiday apartments are often equipped with ‘guide-books’ – with instructions of how to use all the household appliances, information about nearby shops and markets, transportation tips and tourists highlights in immediate proximity. This enables guests to find and get to the places that are impossible to find on the counter of hotel reception. A stay in a short term rental holiday apartment will never be boring and repetitive. 

Short term rental as corporate housing 

Short term rental is a great solution not only for holiday travellers but also for business travels. Apartments are usually equipped with private and fast internet connections. That are significantly faster and more reliable than any hotel Wi-Fi. Some hosts design and advertise their properties especially for business travellers. In such, business travel friendly apartments, guests can expect a large desk with comfortable office chair and super-fast internet connection. With the ascent of widely available delivery options hotel restaurant can be easily replaced with one of the hundreds others available in the city, a different one everyday. 

Great examples of business friendly apartments are APARTEL Plac Zbawiciela and APARTEL Plac Unii Lubelskiej, both of which have great workplace setups. Nevertheless all apartments rented by APARTEL offer a comfortable workspace and fast internet connection. 

Market in Poland: competition, professionalisation and rising standards

Fierce competition on short-term rental market in Poland has led to professionalisation of services. Nowadays apartments are perfectly prepared, thoroughly cleaned and all home appliances are fully operational. Sheets and towels are washed and pressed by professional dry-cleaning companies, transported sealed in foil and opened only directly before making the bed. Guests  can expect 24/7 telephone assistance in multiple languages and on-site help in emergencies. 

Professionally managed apartments are usually equipped with electronic locks and offer automatic self check-in. Thanks to the locks changing codes after every guest, apartments offer higher standard of security than with keys. That could always have been copied or stolen by previous guests. 

Short term rental is also price competitive in comparison to hotels especially for larger groups and longer stays. For example, one month stays or longer, can be up 60% cheaper than renting a hotel room. While offering much larger floor area and comfort. 

In APARTEL we offer up to 40% deals for stays of 30 days or longer and 15% discount for stays of 9 days or longer. During the longer stays weekly cleaning and turnover is included in price. 

Short term rental:  comfort and safety during COVID-19 pandemic

During the turbulent times of COVID-19 pandemic apartments for short term rental offer further benefits to travellers. First of all safety, typical multi family building is less crowded and there are less frequent travellers in it than in the hotel. Thanks to all home appliances that apartments offer guests can also limit the number of interactions with staff. During the pandemic there are far less opportunities to spend time outside thus larger, better equipped and more home like apartments are much more enjoyable place to stay. 

Summarising short term rentals are a great alternative to accommodation offered by hotels. They offer a more authentic and personalised experience without trading of safety and hygiene. Apartments are also larger and better equipped which may come in handy, especially during pandemic. One of the greatest advantages of choosing apartments are hosts, their knowledge and commitment.