Serviced apartments in Singapore: An introduction for expats

When foreigners relocate to Singapore, there is often an interim period between their arrival and finding a new home away from home. While preliminary searchers or hiring a property agent can shorten the time in property limbo, most will spend a few weeks in sunny Singapore, scouring the island for a unit. That’s where serviced apartments step in to fill the gap.

Traditionally, hotels have occupied the space of catering to the temporarily stranded expat, yet in recent times serviced apartments have been making strides in the industry, offering a novel and – to many – an appealing value proposition.

Let’s see how serviced apartments in Singapore are faring these days and how viable an option it is for expats to spend their home-hunting days in one.

So… What are serviced apartments exactly?

In a nutshell, serviced apartments are a homelier version of a hotel. It is an apartment for more long-term stays and provides many amenities and services. Sounds much like a hotel, right?

So what’s the difference?

Well, there are some notable aspects that set serviced apartments apart from hotels. With serviced apartments, you get space, privacy, amenities, and most importantly, that elusive yet utterly important homely feel. 

• Serviced apartments can be pretty spacious; it is, after all, an apartment. It’s usually at least two to three times larger than regular hotel rooms, giving you more space to spread out. This allows for expats to come to Singapore with their families instead of first having to scout it out themselves.
• Serviced apartments generally feature amenities on par with those you can find in your run-of-the-mill condominiums (a pool, gym, tennis court, garden, etc.). 
• Serviced apartments tend to come with a kitchen, complete with utensils, cutlery and pots and pans. While Singapore is the place to eat out, we foreigners do at times cherish the freedom to whip up a home-cooked meal, and that’s something hotels don’t offer.
• Serviced apartments generally offer a higher level of privacy. 

• More than anything, while hotels often feel like a place we occasionally and temporarily step in and out of, a serviced apartment aims to be more of a temporary home substitute.

Serviced apartments are not astronomically pricey

I know what you’re thinking, alright; these service apartments sound nice and all, but they’re exactly like the Ritz or Raffles Hotel; lavish places for the high-rolling, fancy-schmancy folks to lounge around.

That may be true, but if you think about it, so are most hotels. The average rate for a night in a hotel in Singapore is about S$250. That’s S$3,500 for a two-week stay.

Now, I stress that this is the average rate. A night at somewhere like The Fullerton Hotel can set you back triple that easily.

On the other hand, you can find a serviced apartment of a similar standard for under S$200 dollars a night, plus you’ll be getting a lot more bang for your buck.

Verdict: Give serviced apartments a try

Finding a home can be a pain to all our foreign friends about to embark on a new adventure here in our Lion City. Few of us like living out of a suitcase for weeks on end, especially if you’re already starting your job here. 

The property industry is ever-changing, with new, better ways to cater to your unique needs. 

Airbnb is a prime example of this change. Serviced apartments are another, and the math so far looks appealing: More affordable, better amenities, more space, more privacy, and homier.

True story: We’ve come across expats who never graduated to leasing a flat, and simply decided to stay in their serviced apartment for the long-term.

Keen on more tips for expats looking for a home in Singapore? Check out our Expat’s Guide.

Did you know – aside from using normal payment methods such as cheques, you can pay for security deposits with your credit card via CardUp.co. This is especially beneficial if you do not have a large amount of cash on hand, or have not yet set up a local bank account.

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If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends 6 important rental terms tenants in Singapore should know and Renting vs buying property in Singapore: Which is better for you?