Investors focus on serviced apartments worldwide – Hybrid class of hiotel industry opens up new market opportunities

Hamburg, Germany – 15 June 2016 – Luxurious and equipped with kitchen & co. – high class serviced apartments such Comfort, residential feel and a little luxury: The success factors of serviced apartments are obvious. Since the (terrific) success of Airbnb with the rental of private apartments, the hybrid hotel class is internationally on the rise. Investors and operators have discovered the fragmented market of boarding properties for themselves. Renowned hotel groups such as Starwood Hotels, Citadines and Adina amplified their portfolio to serviced apartments as tophotelpropjects.com reports.

Luxurious and spacious comfort with fully euqipped kitchens – Serviced apartments of ‘The Doorman’ in Frankfurt/Germany are waht guests want (Photo: The Doorman)

With its Element concept – elegant city apartments – Starwood Hotels & Resorts has 40 global projects in the pipeline. The French Citadines group is building currently 24 new properties. Australian Adina Apartments is currently planning six new boarding houses. Europe’s leading hotel group Accor is developing 14 new apartment buildings with Adagio.

The secret of the serviced apartments are excellent concierge services around the clock, such as the new luxury apartment hotel “The Doorman” in Frankfurt. The basic equipment of the apartments includes fully equipped kitchens with modern cooking appliances and luxury furnishings on a high class level. Extensible services on the network should be: cooperation with gyms and wellness and beauty salons, recommendations of selected restaurants and bars in the neighborhood as well as a directory of professional interpreters. Travel services such as limousine services and car rental are understood.

The marketing for serviced apartments opens new ways. The aspiring Novum Hotel Group from Hamburg has a two-way interface to Airbnb in development. In a short term, the groups own serviced apartments in Germany are bookable via their platform at just three percent commission.

Futuristic hotel concepts: Living lobby is a must-have – Living, working and enjoying is more important than check-in

Hamburg, Germany – 06 June 2016 – Lame lobbies are out: future hotels will welcome their guests with “living lobbies”. Warm welcome, breakfast, business with high-speed WiFi and enjoying football evenings together in front of the flat – this is the new, or: rediscovered Melting Pot of the smart hospitality industry with potential. TOPHOTELPROJECTS is focusing on these trends as well.

Living lobby at new Tru by Hilton hotel concept (Photo/Graphic: Hilton Worldwide)

Latest aspirant is still the young hotel brand Tru by Hilton. With “The Hive” the brand will create a new, active encounter zone in the budget design hotels: Relaxed working in shielded areas, entertainment and fun with video games, casual relaxing on lounge furniture and supply of snacks and cool drinks.

Europe’s Hotel Group No. 1, Accor, realized this in a new concept for its Ibis budget hotels: The reception desk is remarkably short, the breakfast buffet for the tightly calculated price / performance ratio abundant, the wireless internet access acceptable and long benches and casual armchairs are urban-modern. “Living Lobby” is staged media-friendly through several large TV screens.

Literally alive is the new Steigenberger concept Jaz in the city. The first hotel in Amsterdam is characterized by live performances in restaurant and bar. The shooting success confirms the unusual concept: Shortly after the opening, the occupancy rate was 65 percent, far above target. In a hotel of this new, ground-breaking class you cannot stay in the room, you are looking for connection and inspiration in the lobby and bar.

The spirit of “living lobbies” is being developed further by innovative hotel concepts such as Moxy, element Prizeotel, Citizen M, Mama Shelter. The hotel industry will reinvent itself with smart nonchalance (“Work hard, play hard”). This follows pioneering hosts such as César Ritz, where every guest received a “Grande Entrée” in its Grand Hotels – only now in jeans and without a tie.

Launch of innovative Beyonder ApartHotel concept

Berlin, Germany – 03 March 2015 – Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management (“Oaktree”) and The Serviced Apartment Company (Saco) today announced the merger of their serviced apartment platforms to create a hospitality company that will be a leader in the serviced accommodation sector. The combined company today also announced at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin the launch of Beyonder ApartHotel, an innovative serviced apartment concept which has been developed by CL Serviced Apartments, Oaktree’s existing serviced apartment platform.

The combined company, which will operate under the SACO name, will be comprised of both Oaktree and SACO’s existing serviced apartment offering, as well as the new Beyonder ApartHotel product. It will have a portfolio of 1,645 apartments, which includes new transactions on 945 apartments across 10 properties in London, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dublin that are scheduled to open beginning December 2015, along with SACO’s existing portfolio of 700 operated apartments across the United Kingdom.

Beyonder ApartHotels is focused on helping millennial, global travellers get the most from their stays – whether it’s for six days or six months. Each Beyonder ApartHotel unit is a minimum of 30 square metres and has four distinct areas – bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space – and is designed to exceptionally high standards. Tablets control everything from the lighting to the television to the blinds, and free, high-speed wireless internet, telephone and films come standard.

The first Beyonder ApartHotel is due to open in London in December 2015.

Washington Marriott Georgetown Unveils New Greatroom – Redesigned Space Allows Guests to Relax, Socialize and Get Work Done

Washington, DC – March 24, 2014 – Washington Marriott Georgetown recently unveiled its new vibrant Greatroom lobby. The reimagined Greatroom is part of Marriott Hotels brand initiative to transform lobbies from a formal living room into a local destination where people spend time, by themselves or with friends or colleagues, to relax, socialize or get work done. The renovation is an investment by the hotel’s owners, Highgate Holdings, Inc.

“We are thrilled to introduce our new look to the neighborhood,” said Kori Johnson, general manager, Washington Marriott Georgetown. “Our guests desire interesting spaces, which create a sophisticated yet relaxing ambiance that fosters relaxation, work and social gatherings. Our Greatroom lobby has delivered that and more and we’re excited for our guests to experience our Greatroom in person.”

Whitespace Interiors, of Chicago, Ill., re-envisioned the lobby to capture the essence of Georgetown’s historic character. The furnishings complement this new aesthetic with tailored and comfortable forms that are rooted in tradition. Custom hand-woven area rugs that depict the streets and cobblestones of old Georgetown line the floor as a reminder of the hotel’s vibrant and cosmopolitan location.

“The hotel had a need for a more current and collaborative gathering area for the hotel’s guests,” said Heather O’Sullivan, principal, Whitespace Interiors. “The design delivers a compelling balance between functional and visual qualities—using warm, honest and timeless materials.”

Washington Marriott Georgetown’s Greatroom features a new “5/10/20” menu designed by Executive Chef Lauren Uthenwoldt, which consists of locally sourced small bites, shareable plates and lounge friendly entrees. In addition, the Greatroom features a welcoming reception area designed to make it easier for guests and hotel staff to interact. With free Wi-Fi and power outlets throughout, guests and locals can boot up and work on their laptops or kick back and relax with their own tablets.

Washington Marriott Georgetown also features new Marriott Hotels brand technology, designed for guests who embrace the mobile lifestyle for work as well as leisure. Apps include:
-Red Coat Direct (www.redcoatdirect.marriott.com), a first-of-its-kind app that lets meeting organizers adjust and edit their meeting requests and preferences with a touch of a button and without ever leaving the meeting room.
-Mobile Check-In & Check-Out (www.marriott.com/marriott/mobile-apps.mi), that provides an enhanced arrival experience with check-in up to two hours before arrival and automatic notifications when a room is ready.
-Workspace On Demand (www.workspaceondemand.marriott.com) powered by Liquidspace, that allows guests to book both free and paid meeting spaces as easily as they book a guest room