🏨 Apartments or Hotels: More Than Just a Place to Sleep

Not long ago, travelers almost automatically booked a hotel. Today, more and more of them opt for apartments — especially in Europe and cities like Riga.

This shift in guest behavior is transforming the market — for both hotels and apartment owners looking to profit from rentals.

The rise of platforms like Airbnb, lifestyle changes, remote work flexibility, and the desire to feel at home even while traveling — all these factors have made apartments the new normal.

📊 Who Chooses Apartments and Who Stays with Hotels?

Understanding guest preferences is key to choosing the right rental strategy. Different traveler segments perceive comfort and service differently.

Hotels:

  • Ideal for short business trips
  • Preferred when 24/7 service and reception are essential
  • Popular among tourists staying 1–2 nights
  • Offer predictability and standardized experience

Apartments:

  • Perfect for families, groups of friends, and couples
  • More space, kitchen, appliances
  • Often cheaper for stays of 3 nights or more
  • Ideal for remote work and digital nomads
  • More privacy and homely atmosphere

🚀 Why Apartments Are Gaining Popularity

The rise in apartment bookings isn’t accidental. It’s the result of deep shifts in how people live, work, and travel.

In recent years, people have changed the way they travel. It’s not just about finding a place to sleep — they want to live comfortably, with a kitchen, washing machine, good Wi-Fi, and peace and quiet. Hotels don’t always meet these expectations, especially when it comes to price.

1. The Pandemic Redefined Comfort

People started avoiding shared spaces and valuing autonomy. Apartments offered a safer, more controlled environment.

2. Remote Work Explosion

New categories of travelers emerged: freelancers, digital nomads, IT professionals. They don’t just need a bed — they need a second home.

3. Financial Advantage

For 2–4 people, apartments are often cheaper than two hotel rooms, especially for longer stays.

4. Platforms Made it Easy

Airbnb, Booking, and others made short-term rentals transparent, secure, and easy to understand. It’s no longer “some random Soviet flat,” but a polished, verified product.

📈 The Numbers Tell the Story

The growing popularity of apartments is backed by data, not just anecdotes. The trend is stable and broad.

  • According to AirDNA, apartment bookings in Europe have outpaced hotel bookings since 2021
  • The average apartment stay is 5+ nights, versus 2–3 for hotels
  • Airbnb and Booking guests leave higher ratings for apartment stays than for hotels in the same price range

🧩 What This Means for Apartment Owners

If you own an apartment in Riga and rent it out long-term — you might be missing out:

  • Short-term rental yields are 30–50% higher
  • Greater pricing flexibility based on demand
  • No dependence on a single tenant

But managing short-term rentals yourself means:

  • Constant guest communication
  • Cleaning, logistics, reviews
  • Managing platforms, pricing, and calendars

🔧 The Solution — Professional Management by MIRO Rooms Rentals

Realizing the trend is just the first step. What matters is how you respond. You don’t have to handle everything alone.

If you want to earn more but don’t want to deal with the day-to-day of short-term rentals — outsource it.

At MIRO Rooms Rentals, we offer:

  • End-to-end management: from photography to reviews
  • Listings on Airbnb, Booking, and our own website
  • Dynamic pricing based on demand
  • 24/7 guest service
  • Cleaning, reporting, property protection

👉 You get income, not stress.

📌 Conclusion: The Market Is Changing — Don’t Miss Out

Demand for apartments is only going to grow. This isn’t hype — it’s a logical shift in guest behavior. And apartment owners are perfectly positioned to turn it into steady income.

Hotels aren’t going anywhere. But more and more guests are choosing apartments — consciously, pragmatically, and en masse. This is not a temporary trend — it’s the new reality.

If you own an apartment but don’t want to manage it yourself — trust the professionals. With MIRO Rooms Rentals, you get results without the hassle.

🎯 Now’s the time to turn your apartment into a profitable asset — the smart way.