What Should a Serviced Apartment Package Include?
A practical package covers all fixed joinery in the unit: kitchenette, built-in wardrobe, bed or Murphy wall bed, bathroom vanity and any TV, desk or entry storage. Loose items such as sofas and chairs are usually bought separately. Defining the scope per unit type early prevents gaps where no supplier is responsible.
- Kitchen zone: base and wall units, appliance housing, worktop and sink cut-out.
- Sleeping zone: headboard panel, bed with drawers or a hotel-grade wall bed.
- Storage zone: wardrobe with luggage space, safe shelf and shoe storage.
- Bathroom zone: wall-hung vanity, mirror cabinet and linen storage.
How Is a Serviced Apartment Different From a Hotel Room?
Guests stay longer and cook, so storage and kitchen capacity matter more than in a standard hotel room. A typical stay can run from several nights to several months, which means more clothes, more groceries and more daily wear on drawers and doors.
Compared with residential apartments, operators expect hotel-style durability and fast housekeeping. The joinery must look residential but behave like hospitality furniture: easy-to-clean surfaces, sealed edges near water and hardware that survives heavy use.
Layouts also change. Serviced apartments often need a small dining surface, a work desk and a laundry solution, either a washer-dryer in the kitchenette or a shared laundry room. Deciding this per unit type early affects cabinet widths, plumbing and power.
Which Finishes Work Best for Rental Turnover?
Melamine and HPL are the most common choices because they resist scratches, stains and cleaning chemicals at a reasonable cost. Lacquer and veneer look premium but show impact damage and are harder to repair between guests.
| Finish | Durability in Rental Use | Repairability | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine board | Good scratch and stain resistance | Replace panel | Wardrobes, carcasses, budget kitchenettes |
| HPL laminate | High impact and wear resistance | Replace panel | Kitchen fronts, worktops, desk tops |
| PET super-matte | Good, fingerprint resistant | Replace door | Mid-range kitchenettes |
| Lacquer | Shows chips and dents | Touch-up possible | Premium units, feature panels |
| Veneer | Moderate, needs care | Touch-up or replace | Executive suites, accent walls |
Many projects combine durable melamine carcasses with one feature finish on a headboard or kitchen front to lift the look without raising maintenance.
How Do You Plan Kitchenettes for Small Units?
Start with the appliances, not the cabinets. The hob, sink, fridge, microwave and any dishwasher or washer-dryer decide the cabinet layout. Many studio kitchenettes fit along a single wall, so every centimeter counts.
- Confirm exact appliance models before shop drawings are approved.
- Plan ventilation gaps for built-in fridges and combination ovens.
- Use tall units for a pantry and broom storage if the wall allows.
- Choose a worktop that tolerates hot pans and knife marks.
Our kitchen cabinet team checks appliance clearances on every unit type drawing.
Wall units should leave enough space above the worktop for a microwave or kettle, and open shelves are useful for operator-supplied crockery. In very small studios, a compact two-burner hob and a single-bowl sink free worktop space for food preparation. Plan a waste bin pull-out under the sink, because guests staying for weeks produce more waste than short-stay hotel guests.
When Does a Murphy Wall Bed Make Sense?
A Murphy wall bed suits studios where the room must work as a living space during the day. It frees floor area for a sofa or dining table. It is a poor fit when housekeeping cannot make up a folding bed efficiently, or when walls cannot take the anchoring load.
Operators should confirm mattress size and weight, mechanism type and wall construction. Staff also need simple instructions, since misuse of folding beds is a common source of maintenance calls.
An alternative is a fixed platform bed with large drawers, which gives storage without moving parts. Many operators mix both: wall beds in studios and fixed beds in one-bedroom units.
How Should Wardrobes Be Sized for Longer Stays?
Longer stays need more hanging length, shelves and luggage space than a short-stay hotel wardrobe. A useful approach is to plan a mix of long and short hanging, a few drawers and a low open bay where a large suitcase can stand.
Include a safe shelf with a cable hole, an ironing board position and full-height mirror if the bathroom mirror is small. See our Built-In Wardrobes range for door and interior options.
For units let to business travelers, a slimmer wardrobe with more hanging and fewer drawers often works better. For family or extended-stay units, add drawers and shelves for folded clothes and children's items.
Why Is a Mock-Up Unit Worth the Time?
A mock-up shows real fit, finish and function before hundreds of units are produced. Operators can test drawer reach, bed operation and cleaning access, and designers can check colors under the actual lighting.
- Approve shop drawings for one unit type.
- Produce and install the mock-up with final hardware.
- Record comments and update drawings.
- Sign samples and release mass production.
Mock-up scope and timing are confirmed per project.
How Is Delivery Organized for Multi-Floor Buildings?
Delivery should follow the installation sequence. Cartons labelled by floor, unit and room let installers move goods straight to the right apartment instead of sorting on site. Containers can be loaded by floor groups when the program requires it.
Ask your logistics team how much site storage is available. Limited storage often means smaller, more frequent shipments. Our monthly capacity of 40 × 40HQ containers helps plan large buildings in phases.
Before shipment, inspection photo reports grouped by unit type let the project team check finishes and quantities without traveling to the factory.
What Should Operators Plan for Maintenance?
Maintenance is easier when hardware and finishes are consistent across unit types. Keep a small stock of spare doors, drawer fronts, hinges and runners referenced by unit type. Simple fixes then take minutes rather than waiting for a new order.
- Record finish codes and hardware models in the handover file.
- Check Murphy bed fixings and mechanism tension periodically.
- Re-adjust hinges and drawer fronts after the first months of use.
How Can Arcova Help With Serviced Apartment Packages?
Arcova supports serviced apartment projects from drawing deepening to installation guidance. Our services include shop drawings, 3D design, finish sample approval, mock-up, mass production, inspection with photo reports and export packing labelled by unit. Certifications include ISO9001, BSCI and FSC. Learn more about our factory and quality control, or send your unit plans.