5 REASONS WHY NIGERIANS ARE CHOOSING SHORT-LET COMPANIES OVER HOTELS

By: Aladeselu Margaret Ayomikun

According to many Nigerians, the hotel business might slowly be nearing a struggle for relevance as serviced apartments continue to gain buzz all over the country. Serviced apartments or short-lets, as they are commonly called, are any kind of property that can be let to people for days, weeks or even months for a particular amount of money. Serviced apartments are slowly replacing hotels and this became evident during COVID-19 lockdown when most hotels were forced to close down their businesses temporarily in attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Although, the existence of short-let businesses in Nigeria can be traced back to 2011, it did not to gain prominence and popularity nationwide until 2020. In 2022, it is very safe to say that short-let businesses in Nigeria are thriving and have become major competitors for Nigerian hotels. With companies like Spaceet Technologies that concentrate on providing luxurious apartments that fit the budget of each client, serviced apartments have become good alternatives to hotels. Although, it would be hard to permanently replace hotels, there are many reasons why short-let apartments are gaining more prominence in Nigeria. Some of these reasons include:

1. Short-let apartments are usually cheaper compared to hotels: Short-let apartments are usually luxurious buildings with great designs and they offer most of the services that hotels provide at a cheaper price. What short-let apartments offer can be referred to as “affordable luxury” and this is the major reason why many Nigerians seem to prefer them to hotels. Companies like Spaceet Technologies have found a way to make short-let services seemingly better through the use of technology. With booking and payment processes that can be easily completed on websites, it has become easier for Nigerians to access these services. These websites also usually feature information about local hosts and the area where the short-let apartments are located. There are many reasons why people let short-let apartments and there is an apartment that fits every reason and all these apartments can be found on www.spaceet.com
2. Short-let apartments give people the “home feel”: A short-let apartment is literally a home away from home and this is the major factor that distinguishes this service from hotels. Clients usually have access to living rooms, kitchens, pools and many other modern, luxurious facilities. Many people prefer to stay in short-let apartments because they have the advantage of bringing their friends and family whilst still enjoying premium privacy. Many Nigerians would rather share the same apartment with family and friends that they might not have seen in a long time instead of running into strangers in the lounge of an hotel.
3. People tend to spend less on food in short-let apartments: Unlike, hotels, most short-let apartments do not have rules that prohibit their guests from cooking their own food. Hotel foods can be quite pricy and this is why some people settle for short-let apartments where they can either cook or order takeout and save cost in the process.
4. Most short-let apartments are located in exclusive and residential areas: While many hotels are located in commercial areas that are great for business, most short-let apartments are located in residential areas that are usually serene and secluded. Short-let apartments can protect people from the usual noise and chaos that comes with living in a busy country like Nigeria and this is why people that value their peace and quiet usually pick short-let apartments over hotels.
5. Short-let apartments are great for flexible business travel: The world is completely evolving and there are more reasons to travel now more than ever. People across the world are traveling for different reasons and not just for pleasure. Traveling for business can be a very stressful experience and most people try to reduce that stress to a minimum level by choosing to stay in a luxurious space with great, modern facilities. Leaving the comfort of your home is usually uncomfortable. Instead of staying in an hotel that lacks the touch of a home, some people would rather stay in an high-end serviced apartment where they can bask in that beautiful feeling of utmost comfort.

Nigerians are amazing people that have a very high preference for luxury and comfort. While most hotels satisfy a typical Nigerian’s need for luxury, with luxury designs, fluffy bathrobes, fancy kitchen utensils, cultural artworks, unique horticulture, beautiful bathrooms and aesthetically pleasing living rooms, high-end serviced apartments have gained their position as worthy competitors in the hospitality industry