What is the difference between an apartment, hotel and aparthotel?

It is a very difficult deciding where to stay when you consider all factors that matter to you to make your stay comfortable and as you imagined it. Depending on your needs, personal preferences, the experience you wish to have, budget and purpose of travel, there are plenty of accommodating option for everyone. In the heart of Cambridge the aparthotel The Regent reopened its restored and modernised doors in the early Summer 2022 to guests that wish to experience Cambridge in their own way. We believe that is all travel is about.

With so many different places to stay while on holiday or business, it can be difficult to decide which option is right for you. We’ll take a closer look at the differences between apartments, hotels and aparthotels so that you can make an informed decision about where to stay during your next trip.

Apartments and serviced apartments

An apartment is a self-contained accommodation that is usually part of a larger building. Apartments are typically rented out by the owner and come with all of the necessary furniture and appliances. Some apartments may also have extra shared amenities such as a garden space. Depending on the size of the apartment, they can accommodate anywhere from one to eight people, or even more.

Apartments are a great choice if you are looking for something private and when travelling with family and children. There are also serviced apartments that might be a better option for you if you are looking to relax and not worry about cleaning or cooking.

Bed & Breakfast to Luxury Hotels

A hotel is a commercial establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Hotels range in size from small independently-owned Bed & Breakfasts to large international chain hotels and luxury hotels. All hotels have rooms that are furnished and include a private bathroom. Hotel guests also have access to shared amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar.

In hotels you can expect to see tourists and guests from around the world that are visiting a place for different purposes. Locations of hotels vary, if you are on a budget, cheaper hotels on the outskirts of your destination or smaller central aparthotels might be a better option for you.

Aparthotels – Stay In The Heart of a City

An aparthotel is a cross between an apartment and hotel. Aparthotels are usually located in city centres, as The Regent is in the heart of Cambridge, and offer guests self-catering accommodation with all of the necessary furniture and appliances. Aparthotels also might have many of the same shared amenities as hotels, such as a swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar. The Regent in Cambridge for example offers its guests a meeting room and conference space they can book which is especially helpful as most of the guests are business/corporate travellers or meeting goers with busy schedules. Most studios/rooms at The Regent have a kitchenette and other amenities that can help you feel comfortable while away from home. Visit our rooms page here to see for yourself what our studios can offer.

Advantages of an aparthotel

One of the main advantages of staying in an aparthotel is that you have more space than you would in a hotel room. In an aparthotel guests can stay longer and have their quiet time to work when they are on a business trip. With the location of The Regent as aparthotel, guests get the best of Cambridge, without the need to travel or walk far. You get the most out of a city when stying at an aparthotel, even if you are travelling for work. New local restaurants during lunch time, fresh food from the market, coffee at the cafe on the corner before starting your day, are all easy things you can experience when you are staying at the heart of a city.

How to make a choice between hotel, aparthotel and apartment?

As you can see, there are many differences between apartments, hotels and aparthotels. When deciding where to stay during your next trip, take into account your budget, the number of people travelling with you and how long you’ll be staying. Our insights might be helpful to give you a better understanding of the differences between these types of accommodation.

If you are a business traveller planning on visiting Cambridge in the future, have a look at our corporate stay offers.