Ultimate Serviced Apartment Rental Guide Hong Kong
5 Steps to put yourself in the best position while looking for an
aparthotel or a serviced apartment in Hong Kong
Hong Kong can be an expensive city, so setting a realistic budget is crucial. Whether you're planning for a business trip or a leisurely vacation, aparthotels/ serviced apartments in Hong Kong offer a comfortable and convenient accommodation option. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to find the perfect serviced apartment in Hong Kong that meet you needs, covering everything from budget considerations to location and amenities. Let's dive in!
1. Define Your Needs
Before you start your search, it's essential to define your needs to narrow down options effectively.
The duration of the stay
If you're visiting Hong Kong for a short period of time, you may prioritize convenience and location. For those who stay for a couple of months or a year might consider serviced apartments with the comfort of a home with full kitchen facilities and laundry services or even clubhouse facilities for a better experience. The rental level is usually lower for a lease term of 6 - 12 months. Therefore, it will be better to commit for longer if you will be in Hong Kong for a long time anyway provided that you have found the right apartment. Meanwhile, please note that a majority of the serviced apartments in Hong Kong requires a minimum of 1-month lease term unless they have a hotel license which can accommodate a lease term of less than 1 month.
The number of occupants
it will determine the size and configuration of the apartment you need. If you're traveling alone, you have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of apartment sizes from a cozy studio serviced apartment to a one-bedroom serviced apartment which are often more budget-friendly. For couples, a one-bedroom serviced apartment can provide the perfect balance between space and affordability. It offers a separate living area, a kitchen, and a private bedroom. If you're traveling with family, you'll need a larger space if you have children. Two or three-bedroom serviced apartments that offer more space for everyone to stay comfortably. Some serviced apartments also have sofa beds or additional bedding options for larger families. Last but not least, multiple bedrooms or connecting apartments are required if you are travelling in a large group. Also, some serviced apartments may have policies on the maximum number of occupants allowed in each unit, so be sure to check this. These are the commonly searched layout:
Budget
Budget planning is a fundamental aspect of finding the right serviced apartment in Hong Kong. The city is known for its high cost of living, and your budget will play a significant role in determining the quality and location of your accommodation. ResidenceHK can shortlist various serviced apartments in your preferred area and compare their pricing for you without extra cost. Keep in mind that it comes in a range of price points, from budget-friendly to luxury serviced apartments. Look for options that fit within your budget range is critical and evaluate what's included in the rent to understand the total cost. Be aware of any hidden costs like security deposits (although refundable), laundry fees, or agency fees (usually no agency fee is required for serviced apartments). These can impact your budget, so factor them in when making your decision. If you're on a tight budget, consider staying in areas outside the city center, where rents tend to be more affordable. You can also look for promotions, discounts, or loyalty programs like the Residents’ Club of ResidenceHK. The mostly searched budget range is HK$20K - HK$30K serviced apartments & HK$30K - HK$40K serviced apartment.
Location
People tend to has a misconception that they should live in core Central if they are only staying for a short period of time e.g. 1 month for business trip, but in fact Hong Kong is quite compact that serviced apartments are all located in convenient locations and easily accessible to the core business districts, therefore, you should also explore other areas for more options as leverages. More information can be found in:
You can simply go to our Hong Kong Serviced Apartments' Directory or search serviced apartments by districts:
Amenities
Amenities play a significant role in enhancing your comfort and convenience during your stay in a serviced apartment. Here's a detailed exploration of the amenities you should consider when making your selection:
Serviced apartments with Carpark: only a few serviced apartments in Hong Kong offer secure parking for residents.
Pet-friendly Serviced apartments: If you're traveling with pets, check if the apartment complex is pet-friendly. Find out about any restrictions, additional fees, or pet amenities that may be available.
Serviced apartments with Swimming Pool: some serviced apartments come with swimming pools, it can be attractive to tenants especially in Hong Kong's hot and humid climate which offers a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day.
Serviced apartments with Gym: if you value maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, inquire about the presence of a Gym within the serviced apartment complex. Having a gym on-site can save you the trouble of finding an external gym during your stay.
Serviced Apartments with Clubhouse: Those with clubhouse facilities have at least a swimming pool and a gym, therefore, the floor plate of the serviced apartment is usually larger, while having a higher cost for operation and maintenance, hence more expensive.
2. Choose the Right Platform✓
Are you looking for hotels only for a week for your holiday in Hong Kong? If so, it sounds like hotels.com or booking.com to be the ones. If you are looking for traditional apartments, local real estate agents in Hong Kong such as Centaline, Hong Kong Property, Midland or Ricacorp should be the better options due to their market coverage. However, ResidenceHK, being the Concierge of Hong Kong Serviced Apartments, will be the one if you are looking for a platform who specialise in aparthotels or serviced apartments with an assigned account manager for you without extra cost, while you will enjoy the exclusive benefits through their Residents’ Club. (ResidenceHK is featured on InvestHK)
ResidenceHK | Testimonial (ResidenceHK is featured on InvestHK)
3. Inspection
Once you've shortlisted a few options, physical inspections can be arranged if required. Critical factors to look at during site inspection:
Surrounding area e.g. if there is a construction site nearby which creates significant noise throughout the day. This might not be an issue if you do not work from home.
View from the apartments, do you have a preference for the view such as seaview serviced apartments.
Direction of the apartments, e.g. if you do not enjoy direct sunshine into your apartment i.e. facing west or if you have Fung Shui or religious concerns.
Design and condition of the apartment, as this can be quite subjective.
Security, whether there is 24/7 concierge or security or not if this is a concern to you.
Alternatively, you can also refer to the largest showcase of serviced apartments in Hong Kong if you do not want to waste time on inspection or if you are away from Hong Kong. Below are some examples:
4. Negotiation is possible?
Proper and reasonable negotiations for renting aparthotels/ serviced apartments in Hong Kong can put tenants’ in a better position, but stay professional and polite throughout the negotiation process. Being respectful and courteous can go a long way in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. Below are some examples of the possibility for negotiation of the major terms:
Rental Level: this is pretty standard unlike traditional apartments where there is sometimes plenty of room for negotiation. The rent depends mainly on the situation of the apartment e.g. location, floor level, view, amenities, condition and occupancy rate…etc, while further discount can only be offered based on the lease term i.e. lease commencement date and duration of stay.
Security Deposit: it is usually 1-month or 2-month depending on the duration of the lease term, it is extremely rare serviced apartments in Hong Kong can waive it unless they are doing special promotions.
Flexibility in check-in & check-out times: this can usually be accommodated at least partly as long as the serviced apartment is properly cleaned in a ready-to-move-in condition, as our curated Hong Kong serviced apartments just want to ensure the quality of the apartments.
Extra Bed: A small no. of serviced apartments can include an extra bed at an additional cost.
Once you've reached an agreement, make sure to get all negotiated terms in writing. This can be in the form of an addendum or an email confirmation or at least a WhatsApp message. Having a written record helps prevent misunderstandings.
5. Terms & Conditions + Payment
Although the agreement of serviced apartments are pretty simple and standard, thoroughly review the rental agreement or lease provided by the serviced apartment provider. Pay attention to terms, conditions, and any clauses that may affect your stay, such as cancellation policies and security deposit requirements. Remember not to settle the payment until you have reviewed the agreement prepared by the serviced apartments, while any payment will be paid directly to the bank accounts of the serviced apartments in most of the scenarios. Moreover, seeking legal advise is an option if the process becomes complex or involves significant financial commitments, for instance, to rent more than e.g. 20 apartments for a long time. An attorney with expertise in property law can ensure that the final agreement protects your interests.
If you have any questions arising from the above, please feel free to also arrange a serviced apartments consultation with us or press the following button if you simply want to find a serviced apartment.