What is a Serviced Apartment? Hotel Comfort Meets Apartment Living — A Seamless Lifestyle Experience in Jakarta

Definition: What is a Serviced Apartment?

A serviced apartment is a residential unit that provides hotel-like services such as regular cleaning, linen changes, and, in some cases, concierge support.

There are two main types:

• Hotel-type serviced apartments, managed by well-known hotel chains and often connected to or operated within a hotel.
• Apartment-type serviced residences, managed independently with standardized interiors and furnishings.

In both types, the entire building is professionally managed, offering consistent furniture, appliances, and interior design across all rooms.

In Jakarta, serviced apartments are mainly found in central business districts and are popular among business travelers and expatriates. Hotel-style serviced apartments tend to have a luxurious ambiance, though the rooms are typically smaller than those in standard apartments, and rents are higher due to the inclusion of housekeeping and other services.

Included Services

Most serviced apartments include daily conveniences in the rent, offering a smooth, maintenance-free lifestyle ideal for newcomers to the city.

Typical inclusions are:

• Housekeeping and linen service — Cleaning and sheet changes are usually provided several times a week.
• Internet (Wi-Fi) and cable TV — Commonly included. International channels are standard, while Japanese or other specific channels should be confirmed in advance.
• Electricity — Some serviced apartments include it in the rent, while others apply a usage-based system with a limit before extra charges apply.
• Laundry — Often included but capped by quantity (for example, a certain number of items per day or week).
• Breakfast — Usually optional and available at an additional charge.

For Those Who Want Convenience Without Overspending

Many tenants are initially attracted to serviced apartments for their comfort and convenience. However, it’s important to note that rents tend to be higher than regular apartments, sometimes exceeding typical budgets.

An effective alternative — often recommended by ProsperPoints Realty — is to rent a standard apartment and hire a maid.
This allows you to live in a spacious, well-designed apartment and use the budget difference to cover services such as cleaning and laundry.

The biggest advantage of hiring a maid is flexibility — you can decide how often she comes and what tasks she handles, from laundry to grocery help, offering the same convenience as a serviced apartment but with more control and better cost efficiency.

Understanding the “Service Charge”

The term service charge often causes confusion because it carries a different meaning between regular and serviced apartments.

• In a regular apartment, the service charge refers to building maintenance fees — costs paid by the property owner to the building management for maintaining elevators, common areas, security, and cleaning.
• In a serviced apartment, the service charge refers to the cost of lifestyle services provided to tenants. This may include housekeeping, front desk assistance, and facility upkeep. It is often included in or added to the rental price.

Choosing the Right Option

If you prefer the comfort of a hotel with the privacy of a home, a serviced apartment is ideal. It provides a ready-to-live environment where everything from housekeeping to maintenance is handled for you.

However, if you plan to stay longer or prioritize larger living spaces at a better price point, a regular apartment with maid support may offer more value and flexibility.

Whatever your preference, ProsperPoints Realty will guide you in finding the most suitable residence — ensuring your stay in Jakarta is comfortable, effortless, and perfectly matched to your lifestyle.