For stays longer than a few weeks, serviced apartments in Hong Kong are often more practical and cost-effective than hotels, while offering greater reliability and legality than many Airbnb options. However, each option works best for different duration of stay and lifestyles.

At first glance, serviced apartments, hotels, and Airbnb listings can be similar i.e. all are furnished accommodation. In Hong Kong, however, the differences are more than many people expect.

Key difference among Serviced Apartments, Hotels & Airbnb

Serviced Apartments

Designed for short- to medium-term stays from 1 month or above
Fully furnished with kitchen
Feel more like a home compared to hotels
Utilities included
Monthly pricing (better value for longer stays)
Regular housekeeping services but not as frequent as hotels
Professional property management with concierge services

Hotels

Best for short stays less than 1 month and usually less than a week
Daily housekeeping services
Higher cost when staying for a long period of time
Limited living space without kitchen

Airbnb

Mixed quality and legality
Often cheaper than serviced apartments and hotels, but more risky
Limited service support
Rules vary by individual units

Cost comparison among Serviced Apartments, Hotels & Airbnb

When compared on a monthly basis, the difference becomes clear:

Hotels: High daily rates add up quickly
Serviced Apartments: Stable and lower monthly pricing
Airbnb: Can appear cheaper, but often without cleaning or support

For staying duration from 1 month more, serviced apartments usually provide better overall value.

RESERVE SERVICED APARTMENT

Size & Comfort

One major advantage of serviced apartments is size. Serviced apartments typically include:

Separate living and sleeping areas
Kitchen or kitchenette
Additional storage space
Proper dining table or work desk

Hotels are designed primarily for sleeping, not daily living or working.

Flexibility & Length of Stay

Hotels: Extremely flexible but expensive long-term

Serviced Apartments: Flexible leases starting from 1 month

Airbnb: Flexible in theory, but unpredictable in practice

Serviced apartments strike a balance between flexibility and stability.

Legal & Safety Consideration

This is where serviced apartments stand out.

Properly operated serviced apartments comply with local regulations and owned by prestigious landlords/ developers
Hotels are licensed and regulated
Airbnb listings operate in a grey area without proper regulations

Many tenants choose serviced apartments to avoid last-minute cancellations or building restrictions.

Who each option Is Best for

Choose a serviced apartment if you:

Are staying for more than 1 month
Want predictable monthly costs
Need a comfortable living and working space
Are new to Hong Kong

Choose a hotel if you:

Are staying a few days
Need daily services
Don’t need extra space

Choose Airbnb if you:

Are highly price-sensitive
Understand the risks
Are staying for 1-3 weeks

Serviced Apartment/ Hotels/ Airbnb?