Coming of age

When we launched Serviced Apartment News back in 2013, it’s fair to say the extended stay sector was firmly placed in the “niche” bracket, with little consumer recognition outside the business travel community and a limited level of investor awareness.

The sector has been on an upward trajectory ever since, and the way it has performed through the pandemic has added extra momentum.

It’s been a great journey to witness and document, and it was especially pleasing to be able to report this week that Dublin-based aparthotel operator Staycity has the biggest London pipeline of any hospitality company – with 887 units over three properties due to open in the next few years.

This is a remarkable achievement in what is one of the most desirable cities for any brand, and not only a giant feather in the cap for Staycity, but also a validation of the wider serviced apartment and aparthotel industry.

While the general picture as we emerge from the pandemic is encouraging, there are signs that there will be a few bumps in the road ahead, particularly in the form of planning.

This week alone, Dublin’s Lord Mayor has called for a cap on the number of new aparthotels, Dublin City Council has refused permission for an aparthotel development on Francis Street, and plans for a 129-key aparthotel in Harrow, north-west London, were resoundingly rejected by councillors on the basis it would dominate the area’s skyline.