Spacious room: A dining room (left) and a living room of a luxury serviced apartment in Jakarta. The rising number of business travelers to Indonesia has led to the increasing demand for serviced apartments.(JP/Arief Suhardiman)

Staying in a high-end serviced residence is becoming increasingly popular because it helps guests balance work and leisure.

Leaving your home country for a business trip but still want to stay in a home-style atmosphere?

The right accommodation to meet your needs is a serviced apartment.

A serviced residence is commonly defined as fully-furnished accommodation offered for short, mid and extended-stays. On top of a suite of facilities and services, serviced residences offer larger living space with integrated or separated living, dining and kitchen areas.  

Apart from luxury bedrooms, most serviced apartments come complete with a kitchen where you can cook the foods you and your family enjoy.

There is a gas stove, a microwave, an oven, a toaster, a coffee maker, a large refrigerator and a full set of cookware and tableware.  If you wish to buy ingredients, you simply need to go downstairs to a minimarket.  There'€™s also no need to worry if you don'€™t want to cook, you can order food from the serviced apartment'€™s restaurant.

The availability of a kitchen is not the only facility that will make you feel at home while you are away from home. '€œGreater space and enhanced privacy are the major reasons why staying in a serviced apartment is an increasingly preferred option,'€ said Oakwood Premiere Cozmo Jakarta'€™s general manager Malcolm Hines.

The size of a serviced apartment varies, depending on the number of rooms. A one-bedroom serviced apartment, for example, starts at 70 square meters; while a three-bedroom is around 120 square meters.

A work table with desktop is also available.

While there are tenants that stay for several years, the length of stay at a serviced apartment starts from one day and tends to average several weeks.

With the increasing number of business travelers, the demand for a serviced residence has also been on the increase, according to industry players.

Jakarta, one of Asia'€™s business destinations, is home to several high-end serviced apartments, commonly located strategically in the central business district, suitable for business or individual travelers looking for luxury and prestige.

Most serviced residences provide other major facilities for residents such as a swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, children'€™s playroom and meeting room facilities, and are happy to allow guests or clients to hold business meetings, birthdays or other social events. Complimentary high-speed WiFi is also provided.

Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta features 197 fully furnished apartments and is strategically located in the central business district of Mega Kuningan in South Jakarta.

'€œOur hospitality industry niche provides facilities that suit not only extended stay visitors but also travelers who need accommodation for a shorter stay,'€ said Hines.

 '€œAttracting both types of customers is not only about competitive rates but most importantly about the service delivered and the trust built over time,'€ he noted.

Oakwood has a large number of such clients and is currently reaching out to leisure customers, not only for weekends but also those intending to visit Jakarta for a few nights, Hines said.

The primary design criteria of a serviced residence that caters to the needs of travelers requiring longer stays, encompasses not only aesthetic considerations but practicality, usability, and careful thought to space allocation, according to Hines.

Comfort of a luxurious home

'€œA modern traveler seeks a travel experience in which he or she can enjoy all the comforts of a luxurious home, with the convenience of knowing service is readily available if needed,'€ he said.

'€œA respected serviced residence should offer these options and the peace of mind of 24 hour assistance at the front desk, maintenance and, of course, security,'€ he said.

'€œFor long stay guests, we have a guest activity program to help residents who are new to the country adapt or familiarize with their new environment and, perhaps, make new friends among other residents,'€ he said.

With the constant change in all aspects of new technology the growing market segment of the millennial generation is becoming a major influence in the industry. '€œWe must evolve and ensure their connectivity and thirst for instant information is satisfied,'€ he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the increased prospects for serviced residences in Jakarta have prompted serviced residence providers to expand their business.

PT Frasers Hospitality Investments Indonesia is set to open Fraser Place Setiabudi in April this year.

The provider launched Fraser Residence Menteng Jakarta in 2008 and, following the success of the initial opening, Fraser Residence Sudirman Jakarta in 2011.

Both Fraser Residence Sudirman and Fraser Residence Menteng Jakarta are contemporary and minimalist in design, with each residence exuding a sense of tranquility within the spacious and well-appointed interiors, said PT Frasers Hospitality Investments Indonesia'€™s director of sales & marketing Indonesia Christian Lo.

'€œBoth properties are complemented by a range of lifestyle and business facilities to help guests balance work and leisure, such as swimming pool, steam & sauna, indoor kids'€™ playground, all-day dining restaurant and residents'€™ lounge,'€ added Christian.

'€œWe take pride in being a second home for our guests and our staff are encouraged to behave like an extended family. Each property is well-positioned in a key accessible location,'€ he said.

'€œOur serviced residences are luxurious, offer 24/7 safety and security, and provide business and lifestyle facilities within the property,'€ he said.

He explained that the exclusive Fraser World Loyalty Program also '€œrewards members with complimentary benefits and services each time they stay at Fraser Hospitality'€™s properties worldwide'€.

'€œWe are an award-winning serviced residence and brand. Our signature is the Fraser Difference '€“ we make the little things throughout their stay count; from the way the guests like their pillows arranged to going the extra mile and ensuring that everything is taken care of'€.

'€œThis is in line with our vision to create memorable experiences for our guests through continuous innovation and intuitive service'€.

Both industry players also acknowledge that the global economic slowdown has affected business growth in a number of ways in Indonesia, with the country'€™s involvement in the primary sectors of oil and gas production and mineral extraction being an obvious area in which current global trends has had a marked impact.

However, there are other business areas that have seen significant growth. They include IT, e-commerce, consultancy services and manufacturing.  

'€œThe understanding of and the demand for serviced apartments has continually increased as international travel to Indonesia has grown,'€ Hines said. (JP)

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