A serviced apartment is a fully furnished apartment that you book by the night, week or month, with hotel-style services such as a reception desk, housekeeping and fresh linen. You get a bedroom, a living area and a kitchen or kitchenette, so it feels like a home. In Saudi Arabia, serviced apartments must hold a Ministry of Tourism licence.
A hotel room gives you a bed and a bathroom. A serviced apartment gives you the rest of a home as well: somewhere to cook, a sofa away from the bed, and space for a family to spread out. That difference shapes how people use it, how it is priced and who it suits.
This guide explains what the term means, what you can expect inside, how a stay works from booking to check-out, and the Saudi rules that apply to every licensed property. It draws on official Ministry of Tourism regulations and on how Best Trip Hotels runs its own serviced apartments in Jeddah and Jazan.
What Does Serviced Apartment Mean?
A serviced apartment is a self-contained, furnished apartment run as a short or long stay property. “Serviced” refers to the services that come with it: cleaning, linen changes, a staffed reception and maintenance. You do not sign a residential lease, buy furniture or set up electricity and internet. You arrive, check in and live there.
Three things set it apart from other places to stay:
- Separate spaces. Most units have a bedroom divided from a living or dining area, plus its own bathroom.
- A kitchen. Either a full kitchen or a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, kettle and basic cookware.
- Flexible length of stay. One night is possible, and so are several months, with rates that often drop as the stay gets longer.
Other names you will see
The same idea appears under different labels. Booking sites often say “aparthotel” or “apartment hotel”. Relocation companies use “corporate housing”. In Arabic, guests search for شقق فندقية (hotel apartments), شقق مخدومة (serviced apartments) or شقق مفروشة (furnished apartments). In Saudi Arabia these labels are not always interchangeable, because the Ministry of Tourism licenses hotel apartments and serviced apartments as two separate facility types. The rules section below explains the difference.
What Is Included in a Serviced Apartment?
Inclusions vary by property and grade, so the table separates what you can usually count on from what is often paid or available on request. Always check the listing for the specific unit.
| Feature | Usually included | Often extra or on request |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Beds, sofa, dining or seating area, wardrobe | Extra beds, baby cots |
| Kitchen | Kitchenette or full kitchen, fridge, microwave, kettle, cookware | Coffee machine, oven, dishwasher |
| Cleaning | Cleaning before arrival, cleaning and linen change on a schedule or on request | Daily full cleaning in some properties |
| Linen and toiletries | Bed linen, towels, basic toiletries | Bathrobes, slippers |
| Utilities | Electricity, water, air conditioning | Rarely charged separately on short stays |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, TV | Faster or dedicated internet |
| Reception | Front desk or phone support, often 24 hours | Concierge services, airport pickup |
| Laundry | Washing machine in the unit or a shared one | Ironing and laundry service |
| Parking | Free parking at many suburban properties | Valet or covered parking |
| Leisure | Not standard | Pool, gym, lounge |
Two items cause the most surprises. Meals are not normally part of the rate, because the kitchen is there so you can cook. And “housekeeping” can mean anything from daily cleaning to a clean once a week, so ask how often it happens and whether it costs extra.
At Best Trip, the standard services and amenities include free Wi-Fi, free parking, a lift and a 24-hour reception at every property, with extra linen and cleaning available on request.
Types of Serviced Apartments
Serviced apartments can be grouped by layout and by how the property is run. Both affect price, space and the kind of trip they suit.
By layout
Unit sizes below come from live listings at Best Trip properties in Jeddah and Jazan in October 2026. They show the range you can expect, not a fixed standard.
| Unit type | Typical layout | Example sizes | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | One room with bed and sitting area, kitchenette, bathroom | 30 to 60 m² | Solo travellers, couples, short work trips |
| One-bedroom | Separate bedroom, living room with sofa bed, kitchenette | 45 to 60 m² | Couples, small families, longer stays |
| Two-bedroom | Two bedrooms, shared living area and kitchen | 65 to 90 m² | Families, friends travelling together |
| Three-bedroom | Three bedrooms, larger living and dining area | Varies by building | Large families, groups |
By how the property is run
- Dedicated serviced apartment building. The whole building is apartments, with a reception, housekeeping team and security on site. This is the most common model in Saudi cities.
- Hotel apartments (aparthotel). A hotel-style operation where most units are apartments. Under the Ministry of Tourism’s classification, at least 51% of units must be apartments for a building to be classed as hotel apartments, and these can offer meals and fuller hotel services.
- Self check-in units. Single apartments with digital access and remote support. They offer privacy but less help on the spot, and in Saudi Arabia they must still be licensed.
How Does a Serviced Apartment Work?
Booking a serviced apartment feels like booking a hotel, with a few extra details worth checking. Here is how a typical stay runs.
- Choose the unit and dates. Pick the layout that fits your group and confirm the maximum occupancy, because each unit has a limit.
- Read the rate breakdown. Check whether the price includes VAT and the municipality fee, and whether there is a deposit.
- Book and confirm. You can usually book on the property’s website, by phone or WhatsApp, or through a booking site. Keep the confirmation with the cancellation terms.
- Check in with valid ID. Reception verifies the original ID of the guests and registers the stay. Standard check-in is usually mid-afternoon.
- Settle in. Staff show you the unit, Wi-Fi details, parking and how to request cleaning.
- Use services during the stay. Ask reception for extra linen, a cleaning visit, a taxi or help with anything that stops working.
- Check out. Return the key card, settle any extras and receive an invoice in Arabic and English.
Serviced Apartments in Saudi Arabia: Rules Guests Should Know
Saudi Arabia regulates serviced apartments as tourist hospitality facilities. These rules protect guests, so it helps to know them before you book.
Every property needs a Ministry of Tourism licence
The Ministry of Tourism licenses and supervises all tourist hospitality facilities under the Hospitality Facilities Regulations. A licence is valid for up to three years, and the property must display its licence and classification certificate at the entrance or reception. The Ministry has warned that operating without a licence can lead to fines of up to SAR 1 million, closure, or both.
Hotel apartments and serviced apartments are graded differently
The Ministry’s facility list treats these as two types. Hotel apartments are graded from 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star luxury level. Serviced apartments are graded by class, such as Economy and First Class. The Ministry describes a serviced apartment unit as an entrance area, a living room with a kitchen, one or more bedrooms and one or more bathrooms.
ID checks and guest registration
Licensed properties must check the original ID of each guest at check-in and register the stay in Shomoos, the national guest registration system, and on the National Tourism Monitoring Platform. They may not accept a guest without valid ID. In practice that means:
- Saudi citizens: national ID card
- Residents: Iqama (residence permit)
- Visitors: passport with a valid visa
Prices, taxes and the municipality fee
The regulations require prices to be shown in Arabic and English and to include the legal taxes and fees. Two charges usually appear on a bill:
- VAT at 15%, the standard rate since 1 July 2020, collected under rules set by ZATCA.
- A municipality fee on the room rate, introduced in 2018. It was set at 2.5% for hotel apartments and properties rated 3 stars or lower, and 5% for higher grades.
Some properties quote a rate before these charges and add them at checkout, so compare the final total, not the headline price.
Couples, families and women travelling alone
Since October 2019, foreign couples have not needed to show a marriage certificate to share a room, and women can check in on their own with valid ID. Saudi couples may still be asked for proof of their relationship. Policies still differ from one property to another, so check the terms and conditions for ID, occupancy and cancellation rules before you book.
Where to raise a complaint
If a problem is not solved at reception, guests can contact the Ministry of Tourism’s Unified Tourism Centre on 930. Properties must also give you an invoice in Arabic and English and accept at least Visa and Mastercard by card machine.
How a Serviced Apartment Differs From a Hotel Room and a Furnished Rental
A serviced apartment sits between a hotel room and a long-term furnished rental. The table shows where each one stands on the points that matter most.
| Point | Hotel room | Serviced apartment | Long-term furnished rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking unit | Per night | Per night, week or month | Monthly or yearly lease |
| Space | One room | Bedroom, living area, kitchen | Full apartment |
| Cooking | Rarely | Kitchen or kitchenette | Full kitchen |
| Cleaning | Daily | Scheduled or on request | Your own responsibility |
| Reception | Yes | Yes, often 24 hours | No |
| Contract | Booking terms | Booking terms | Lease, usually registered on Ejar |
The right choice depends on trip length, group size and how much you want to cook. For short stays where meals and daily service matter most, a hotel fits. For stays of several nights, families or anyone who wants a kitchen, a serviced apartment usually gives more space for the money.
Who Is a Serviced Apartment Best For?
Serviced apartments work best when a stay is longer than a weekend or the group is larger than two. Common guests include:
- Families on holiday or visiting relatives, who need separate sleeping spaces and a kitchen for children’s meals.
- Umrah travellers staying in Jeddah, who want room for several family members before or after travelling to Makkah.
- Business travellers on assignments of a week or more, who need a desk, reliable Wi-Fi and laundry.
- People relocating to a new city, who need a base while they find a long-term home.
- Patients and their companions, who need a calm place near hospitals and a kitchen for special diets.
When a Serviced Apartment May Not Suit You
A fair guide should also say when a serviced apartment is the wrong choice. It may not suit you if:
- You want breakfast, room service and a restaurant downstairs every day.
- You need facilities such as a pool, spa or gym, which many serviced apartment buildings do not have.
- You are staying one night near a single venue and want the shortest possible check-in.
- You prefer daily cleaning as standard and do not want to request it.
How Long Can You Stay in a Serviced Apartment?
You can stay for a single night or for several months. Most properties offer three ways to pay:
- Nightly rates for short trips.
- Weekly rates, often discounted for stays of seven nights or more.
- Monthly rates for long stays, often much lower per night.
Monthly stays sometimes have their own terms, such as a deposit, a cleaning schedule or a minimum length. In Jeddah, some properties focus only on longer stays. Best Trip City Zone and Best Trip Istanbul, for example, are set up as monthly serviced apartments with separate living rooms and kitchenettes.
Checklist Before You Book a Serviced Apartment
Use this list to avoid the most common surprises:
- The property shows a valid Ministry of Tourism licence.
- The listing states the unit size in square metres and the bed setup.
- The kitchen equipment is listed, not just the word “kitchen”.
- You know how often housekeeping comes and whether it costs extra.
- The final price includes VAT and the municipality fee.
- The cancellation deadline and deposit terms are in writing.
- Check-in and check-out times suit your flight or train.
- Parking is available if you are driving.
- Reception hours match your arrival time.
- The location is close to the places you will visit most.
How Serviced Apartments Work at Best Trip Hotels
Best Trip Hotels has run hotel and serviced apartment properties in Saudi Arabia since around 2010, under founder and managing director Ayad Alabbasi. It now operates seven properties: six in Jeddah and one in Jazan, with more than 330 rooms. The Best Trip hotels range from sea-view studios near the Jeddah Corniche to two-bedroom apartments close to the North Corniche in Jazan.
Here is how a stay works, based on the published policies:
- Check-in and check-out: check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 2:00 PM. Early check-in and late check-out depend on availability and may cost extra.
- ID: a valid Saudi national ID, Iqama or passport is required at check-in.
- Reception: open 24 hours, and also reachable by phone and WhatsApp.
- Included at every property: free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, a lift and luggage storage.
- Kitchen: most units have a kitchenette with a fridge, kettle, microwave and kitchenware.
- Housekeeping: cleaning, fresh towels and extra linen on request, with every unit cleaned before arrival.
- Laundry: a shared washing machine is available on request at every branch.
- Families: extra beds and baby cots on request, subject to availability; children under 6 stay free in existing beds.
- Cancellation: cancel at least 24 hours before check-in for a full refund of an advance payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a serviced apartment and a hotel?
A hotel gives you a room with daily cleaning and on-site dining. A serviced apartment gives you a furnished home with a living area and kitchen, plus services such as reception and housekeeping, usually on a schedule or on request.
Is a serviced apartment the same as an Airbnb?
No. A serviced apartment is run by an operator with staff, a reception and consistent standards across units. A home-sharing listing is usually one private apartment managed by its owner. In Saudi Arabia, both must hold a Ministry of Tourism licence.
Are utilities included in a serviced apartment?
Yes, in most cases. Electricity, water, air conditioning and Wi-Fi are normally part of the rate, even on monthly stays. Check the listing for any usage caps on very long stays.
Do serviced apartments include food?
Usually not. The rate covers the apartment and its services. You cook in the kitchen, order delivery or eat out. Some hotel apartments offer breakfast as an add-on.
Is housekeeping daily in a serviced apartment?
Not always. Some properties clean daily, others weekly or on request. Ask how often cleaning happens and whether it is included in the price.
Can I stay in a serviced apartment for one night?
Yes. Most serviced apartments accept one-night stays, although a few long-stay properties set a minimum of a week or a month.
Can a woman check in alone at a serviced apartment in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since October 2019, women can check in on their own with valid ID, such as a national ID, Iqama or passport.
How do I know if a serviced apartment is licensed in Saudi Arabia?
Licensed properties must display their Ministry of Tourism licence and classification certificate at the entrance or reception. You can also ask the property for its licence details before you book.
Are serviced apartments cheaper than hotels?
Often, for stays of several nights or for families, because one apartment can replace two hotel rooms and you can cook instead of eating out. For a single night, a hotel can cost the same or less.
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