Apartments vs Hotel Rooms: Which is Best?

Apartments vs hotels: where should you stay?

Luxury hotels, Airbnbs, serviced apartments and boutique cottages - gone are the days where accommodation was as simple as booking the nearest B&B. Now there are tons of varying options, each offering a unique way of experiencing somewhere new.

Knowing the differences and benefits of each can be super helpful in making the right choice for your stay. Do you want spacious or cosy? Homey or hotel service? Self-catered or onsite restaurants? 

With Locke aparthotels you can have it all… but more on that later. First let’s compare two of the most popular options in our guide to apartments vs hotels. And then we’ll see why aparthotels are the perfect inbetween.

Space and comfort

Hotels (when they’re good) are an easy choice when it comes to comfort. They offer consistency in what to expect from the bed, pillows and furnishings. Especially when you select a brand with more than one property. But unless you want to pay for an upgraded suite, you’ll likely be lacking in space to stretch out.

Hotel rooms are typically compact and designed for shorter stays. You don’t often get more than a bed, bathroom and chair to drape your clothes on. So while convenient, they can feel cramped, especially for extended trips.

If space is a deal breaker and you’re fed up with shuffling past your partner, consider an apartment for a roomier visit. Not only will you get a kitchen, but it’ll usually be separate from the living and bedroom areas. Creating a more comfortable and home-like environment where you don’t have to live on top of each other.

And if you don’t want to choose between comfort and space - well, let’s just say Locke has you covered. Our boutique properties blend spacious design with the comforts of a hotel. From your roomy apartments to the free-to-use social spaces, each uniquely inspired by the style of the surrounding city.

Cost-effectiveness

Staying in a hotel can be tough on your wallet, especially considering the cost of dining out and the added tab of convenience services. The luxuries that premium hotels offer are really only viable for a few nights of travel.

Apartments tend to be more cost-effective for longer stays. Self-catering facilities allow for easy meal prep (whether you’re rusting up a sandwich or putting your cooking class lesson to the test). Whilst laundry means you can pack lighter and give your favourite outfits a refresh. 

Stay in one of our luxury aparthotels and you’ll also get access to discounted rates for extended stays. Save up to 20% when you live at Locke for three nights or more and enjoy our social spaces for longer.

Location and convenience

Hotels are often located in central areas, close to major attractions, business districts and public transport hubs, making them convenient when you need to get around quickly.

Apartments might not always be in such prime locations, especially those catering to longer-term residents. However, they offer a more authentic experience of living in a new city and you’ll be more likely to find local neighbourhood hangouts and lesser known places.

Want the best of both? Strike a balance at an aparthotel where you’ll get easy access to all the top things to do without living in the loud, packed tourist areas. We consciously seek out dreamy neighbourhoods that are still in the heart of the action. From our central Lisbon hotel in the capital’s green, designer district. To our Edinburgh aparthotel, peacefully located within walking distance of the city’s top sights.

Personalised stays

Hotel rooms are private, sure. But they don’t tend to cater for anything other than a place to rest and sleep. Unlike apartments, where you not only have the space to make yourself at home, but you can invite guests to do so too. 

Catch up with local friends as you cook in the kitchen. Take a work call or cowork with colleagues. Bring your dog on holiday too. In apartments, you can live as you normally do.

With Locke’s local hosts, you can also get personalised recommendations and insider tips for the duration of your stay. From the best martini in town to the nearest cash point.

Stay your way with Locke

Apartments offer a flexible way to travel. For local eats and DIY dinners. Lazy mornings on the sofa and all-day sightseeing. 

And when you stay with Locke, you won’t even miss the convenience of a hotel. Our destination aparthotels have everything you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Whether you want to hibernate in your spacious apartment or get social in the late-night bar. 

Centrally located, cosy and luxurious. What more could you need? 

Find your next stay in one of our top European destinations from the clear lake waters of Zurich to our central London hotels dotted across the city.

Live your way with Locke.