What is a serviced apartment?

The definition A serviced apartment is a furnished apartment delivered with services normally associated with a hotel: internet, linens, towels, kitchenware, and usually also reception, cleaning and a 24-hour duty service. The difference from a hotel room is that you have your own kitchen, your own laundry, and zones for working, sleeping and living. The difference from a regular rented apartment is that you move in with a suitcase and unpack it again. Nothing needs to be bought, no contracts with utility providers, no trips to IKEA.

When does a serviced apartment fit? Serviced apartments are primarily aimed at stays that are longer than a hotel stay but shorter than a regular lease. Typical length is from one week to twelve months. The most common tenant is a business traveller on a project, a consultant brought in for an assignment, a family moving to Oslo and looking for permanent housing, or a foreign executive on assignment. For shorter stays under one week, a hotel or apart hotel works better, since they accept night-by-night stays.

What is the difference from an apart hotel? An apart hotel is closer to a hotel. You get a room with a kitchen and can book from one night up. A serviced apartment is closer to an apartment. You get a complete home and rent for at least one week, usually longer. Apart hotels have a reception during the day; serviced apartment buildings usually have a reception during the day plus a duty service at night.

What is normally included? At Osloapartments.no all apartments are delivered fully furnished with linens, towels, kitchenware, fibre internet, smart TV and dishwasher. Most have a washer and dryer in the apartment. Many buildings have a gym, roof terrace and reception. Cleaning is often optional, weekly or monthly.

What does it cost? The price range for furnished apartments and serviced apartments in Oslo runs from around 42,000 NOK per month for a mid-tier apartment, up to 150,000 NOK and more for a premium option on Tjuvholmen, Aker brygge or Holmenkollen. Longer contracts get a lower monthly rate.

What should you check? Check the delivery standard, what is furnished, and what you need to bring yourself. Check the entry terms, how long the minimum contract is, and how termination is handled. Check what is included in the price: electricity, internet, heating, cleaning. And check travel time to the office or the children's school, because most serviced apartments are chosen precisely to reduce commute time.