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First came hotels, then came Airbnb, and now apart-hotels (also called hometels) are all the rage. Travelers no longer have to decide between a sterile hotel room or a stranger’s house with questionable housekeeping standards.
The hybrid concept which suggests more apartment than hotel is designed for travelers who seek the warmth of a home with the reliability of a hotel.
Apart-hotels are taking over the hospitality world, even forcing competitors like Airbnb to invest in a revolutionary concept that enables travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and still feel like they’re at home when they put their heads down at night, without the headache of unreliable hosts.
Here are a few alternative hospitality brands that will make you feel right at home during your next adventure.
AKA
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Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, AKA Beverly Hills is one of AKA’s 12 extended stay luxury residences around the world for travelers looking to experience the star treatment.
Often considered a celebrity hideaway, AKA distinguishes themselves by catering to travelers in the entertainment industry, executive business travelers, or international jet setters looking for temporary accommodations on a weekly or monthly basis (minimum length stay varies with each property).
The full-service residence offers studios, one and two-bedroom suites, penthouse suites and private access townhomes (at select locations) equipped with a full kitchen, in-suite washer and dryer and other localized perks. For example, guests of AKA Beverly Hills can order from the exclusive in-room menu provided by Wolfgang Puck’s iconic restaurant, Spago, or watch a movie in the state-of-the-art screening room.
Domio
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When you think of hotel bedrooms, you often think of dated furniture, drab color palettes and carpets with geometric patterns reminiscent of the eighties. Domio is turning that around with beautiful mid-century modern accommodations all custom-designed by their in-house team.
Guests can even purchase the Domio-branded furniture and art seen throughout the spaces through their partnership with Society6. Like many of the other apart-hotel brands, Domio secures deals with real estate developers of residential buildings to master-lease the entire building so the rooms are larger than the average hotel room and the starting rates are competitive at $139 per night.
Their first apart-hotel opened in early 2019 on Baronne St. in New Orleans and also happens to be their most popular unit. It’s a 58-unit building which includes 8 penthouse units, featuring a rooftop pool and onsite gym so guests don’t have to forgo their favorite amenities.
Lyric
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Designed by creatives for creatives, Lyric’s flex apartments dubbed “Creative Suites” appeal to modern-day professionals who appreciate a seamless travel experience, luxury amenities and flexible accommodations that can be transformed to suit their guest needs (i.e. workspace, event space, etc.).
It’s not surprising that the Airbnb-backed startup is driven by design and technology with suites that are furnished with smart TVs, keyless entry, Fellow brewing systems, Casper mattresses and Frette linens. Lyric is also keen on weaving the city’s history throughout their spaces so they commission local photographers to adorn the walls and include a highly curated vinyl playlist to tell the city’s story.
Sonder
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What started with a college sophomore trying to make side money by temporarily leasing out his apartment has turned into a Silicon Valley startup that has caught the eye of investors and is reinventing hospitality. Their mission is to create inviting spaces in less touristy neighborhoods while offering the amenities and exceptional service of a hotel.
Currently, Sonder has a footprint in over 30 cities worldwide with carefully curated rooms that draw inspiration from the local neighborhood. Sonder guests have access to 24/7 support via their mobile app for cleaning requests, concierge help or general assistance with a unit.
onefinestay
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While other hospitality brands turn apartments into hotel-style accommodations, onefinestay features private, high-end homes and villas that are personally vetted and managed by the company (only 1 in 10 homes make the cut).
The multi-million dollar mansions are located in some of the most sought-after urban and beach destinations around the world including Paris, Rome, New York, St. Barts, Cayman Islands and the Maldives, to name a few.
Onefinestay is designed for travelers who like to indulge in luxury accommodations but seek the coziness of a home without worrying about dirty sheets or unresponsive hosts. Destination experts are also available with their Villa Collection and can customize itineraries so you don’t have to worry about the details.
Bode
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When you’re traveling with a tribe it can be tricky to find hotel accommodations suitable for a large group without having to split rooms. Enter Bode – a unique boutique hotel concept for group travelers of three or more built around shared spaces.
The name Bode is a play on the word “abode” with accommodations that are typically two-, three- or four-bedroom spaces that are meant to feel like a home for you and your friends. Bode converts former apartment buildings into short-term rentals that are fully owned and operated by the company – a feature that sets them apart.
A Bode Hub which includes a cafe, market and lounge acts as the heartbeat of each space along with bespoke communal areas such as fire pits, stages and/or workspaces where unique programming also takes place.
Local purveyors like Frothy Monkey, Stay Golden and McCartney Produce have brought their Tennessee spaces to life, giving guests a taste of the surrounding neighborhood. Currently, Bode has accommodations in Nashville and Chattanooga with plans to expand in 2021, adding new locations in Southern California, Savannah and Greenville.
Locale
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This hospitality brand operates over 300 furnished, contemporary apartments located in prime neighborhoods within walking distance to restaurants, bars and shops. By partnering with existing high-end apartment buildings, Locale guests have access to amenities like pools, fitness studios and even event spaces.
Each room is outfitted with smart technology enhancements such as keyless entry and Nest thermostats, as well as thoughtfully sourced brand partner amenities like Parachute linens, Public Goods natural cleaning products and locally roasted coffee.
Gone are the days where you hoard hotel amenities in your suitcase. With Locale’s new in-room shopping experience called “Shop My Stay,” guests can purchase their favorite amenities to take a piece of the Locale experience home with them.
FOUND Hotels
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FOUND Hotels is aimed at digital nomads who put a premium on shared experiences and meeting new people, offering both private and shared accommodations (i.e. bunk beds), a communal kitchen and ongoing activities at each of their locations.
The hotels are all located in vibrant neighborhoods of cities across the country including San Francisco, Washington D.C., and their flagship location in Chicago which opened in 2018.
FOUND Hotels partnered with L.A. hospitality veteran, h.wood Group, to develop the food and beverage concepts introducing a new contemporary-American steakhouse called Mason. They also opened the second location for Blind Dragon, the karaoke speakeasy hailing from L.A., at FOUND Chicago.
Stay Alfred
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Stay Alfred was founded in 2011 by former army ranger, Jordan Allen, who had a hard time finding a vacation rental in Denver for a large group at a reasonable price. Allen was aware of the gap in the market and was on a mission to create alternative accommodations that offer the comfort of a home with the consistency of a hotel.
Today, Stay Alfred operates 2,800 units across 33 cities which are intentionally designed with artwork and furniture that reflect the local culture.
For frequent travelers, Stay Alfred Rewards is a loyalty program where travelers can accumulate a complimentary night with every 10 nights a guest stays. Loyalty members will also automatically get enrolled in The Green Suitcase Society, which gives them access to perks like member-only events, discounted travel and complimentary upgrades.
Urban Flat
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Primarily focused on the West Coast market and business travelers, Urban Flat was born from the lackluster options that existed in corporate housing. The fully furnished luxury apartments are tastefully designed to ensure guests feel right at home, fully equipped with fresh linens, high-speed Wi-Fi, full kitchens and fancy amenities.
Guests also have access to 24/7 support and building amenities like a pool, fitness center and conference rooms. Urban Flat has worked with employees from tech giants like Google, PayPal and Facebook who often travel between their Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and Bellevue locations.
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