If you’re visiting Dubai anytime soon, knowing the differences between aparthotels and serviced apartments is highly essential. These are two popular accommodation types that have gained immense traction among travelers these days in the Emirate. However, you should compare them thoroughly before finalizing your booking decision. Let us look closely at all these aspects below for a better understanding.
How Are Aparthotels and Serviced Apartments Different?
Here’s comparing Dubai furnished apartments with aparthotels in Dubai for a better understanding. These are the key points worth noting in this regard.
- Kitchens & Facilities: Aparthotels often come with kitchenettes for basic cooking needs (fridges, microwaves, stoves, and other appliances). Serviced apartments have fully-equipped kitchens with full-sized appliances (washers, dishwashers, ovens, etc.).
- Services & Amenities: Aparthotels offer top-notch service, often inclusive of daily housekeeping, pools, on-site restaurants, and gym access, just like traditional hotels. On the other hand, serviced apartments may often provide weekly or bi-weekly housekeeping facilities. They are less likely to have extensive on-site commercial restaurants. However, they offer more privacy and laundry facilities within the apartment unit itself.
- Space & Environment: Aparthotels are quite similar to luxury hotel rooms with extra space. They come with hotel-style and smaller units in most cases. Serviced apartments provide a home away from home environment with higher space, separate living zones, and often bigger layouts.
- Cost & Stay Length: Aparthotels are more cost-effective for short-to-mid-term stays, usually chargeable on a per night basis. At the same time, serviced apartments are more cost-effective for corporate stays (weekly or monthly) or long-term stays, mostly in residential zones like JBR, Dubai Marina, and Business Bay.
Both are viable accommodation options for your stay in Dubai. You can consider aparthotels in case you’re looking for a shorter stay with higher savings, slightly more space, and hotel-style services. Serviced apartments are ideal for longer stays with reasonable rates and higher value, along with decent amenities. What also matters is the neighborhood where you choose your accommodation. Let’s look at these aspects in more detail below.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Dubai
Here are some of the top neighborhoods to book serviced apartments or aparthotels in Dubai (choose as per your lifestyle needs).
- Dubai Marina:
Dubai Marina is a great choice for serviced apartments or aparthotels, offering upscale lifestyles along a scenic promenade covering 7 km in total. It is a vibrant waterfront community that is home to several high-rise towers, making it ideal if you want a holiday-like atmosphere and urban conveniences.
You will be within a short walk from the Marina Mall, along with several restaurants, cafes, bars, and the well-known JBR Beach. The Marina Walk is a key attraction in the area along with the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) Walk, and yacht tours. You will also get quick access to the Palm Jumeirah accordingly. There is also seamless connectivity through the Dubai Tram and two metro stations, namely DMCC and Sobha Realty.
- Downtown Dubai:
Downtown Dubai is the bustling heart of the city that is ideal for business travelers and tourists alike. It helps if you wish to stay centrally near multiple landmarks in the city. You will usually find high-end serviced apartments here with gorgeous views of the Dubai skyline and the majestic Burj Khalifa. You will get easy access to the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Opera. There are several premium dining choices in the neighborhood, along with several shopping centers and restaurants. You can also expect seamless connectivity through the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa metro station, while the Sheikh Zayed Road is also nearby.
- Business Bay:
Just next to Downtown, this area is a fast-growing residential cum corporate hub that you can consider for a convenient stay. There is quick access to the financial districts in Dubai from this locality. You’ll find a combination of contemporary serviced apartments and aparthotels, often at slightly better rates than the neighboring Downtown Dubai zone.
There is easy access to the Dubai Canal walkways along with retail outlets, restaurants, and leading hospitality brands. The Dubai Water Canal is also nearby, while you can also access several Downtown landmarks with ease. The Business Bay metro station serves the area while road connectivity is also top-notch here.
- Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT):
JLT is a popular choice for you, in case you’re looking for more affordable serviced apartment choices in comparison to Dubai Marina. There are several clusters here that surround pristine parks and lakes, while enabling a community-style environment. You will find several supermarkets in the neighborhood, including Carrefour and Spinneys, along with charming cafes, clinics, and multiple restaurants. The JLT running track is nearby along with community parks, while the Dubai Marina is also nearby. You will also enjoy great connectivity to several parts of Dubai through two metro stations, namely Sobha Realty and DMCC.
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC):
The JVC is a family-friendly residential community that ensures a quieter and more casual vibe. You may sometimes find bigger apartments here, with plenty of green space and parks within the community, along with a circular layout. The Circle Mall is situated here, along with several schools, parks, and supermarkets. You will also find several family parks near the best aparthotels to stay in Dubai or apartments near the Dubai Hills Golf Club. You can access the area easily by bus or car, while it is also well-linked to several key roads like the Sheikh Zayed Road and the Al Khail Road.
As you can see, both serviced apartments and aparthotels are value propositions in the Emirate. You should thoroughly examine their differences and compare them extensively before finalizing your booking decision. Also, make sure you choose your location carefully, keeping in mind your lifestyle preferences. Here’s wishing you a wonderful stay ahead.
