Are urban living aparthotels able to cater to digital nomads?

Aparthotels are rejuvenating cities while meeting the needs of the upcoming generation. Stylish designs and clever use of space offer comfort in a fraction of the area of traditional babyboomer dream homes.

What exactly is an aparthotel?

If a minimalist apartment and a luxury hotel suite had a baby, it would be an aparthotel.

Aparthotels offer all the convenience and services of a hotel with the added benefits of a kitchen and other living spaces to provide a home away from home environment.

Aparthotels offer guests free access to a gym, rooftop pool or leisure space, laundry facilities and a dedicated co-working area. Further benefits include state-of-the-art security and access control, free unlimited Wi-Fi and 24-hour concierge services that include food delivery, ready meals, or grocery shopping.

Meeting the needs of the next generation

While money is important, time is becoming a prized commodity, and the emerging workforce strives to become time rather than dollar millionaires. Time millionaires recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance and oppose anything they consider a waste of time. This young demographic places more importance on experiences than things, is mindful of their impact on the planet and is reluctant to tie themselves down to one place. Working remotely means they can travel and work from anywhere in the world, creating a lifestyle that offers plenty of freedom and rich experiences.

This is where aparthotels fit in. Offering stays from one night to six months, an aparthotel offers an affordable solution that provides convenience and a comfortable and private living space. Ranging in size from 19 square meter studios to 60 square meter two bedroomed suites, aparthotels offer cleaning services and are quick and easy to keep tidy. Co-working spaces on site mean no time is wasted commuting to an office, and the gym is as close as a ride in the lift. Eating options are varied and include cooking at home, using the aparthotel’s food delivery services, pre-ordering ready-to-eat meals or visiting an on-site or nearby restaurant or takeaway. 

Business and leisure travellers

Bleisure Travel is a ghastly phrase to describe the growing trend of extending your business trip to have some downtime to explore a new place. 

‘Travellers are increasingly turning to longer-stay travel with flexible stay options, such as that offered by aparthotels. They want flexibility, along with the convenience of a hotel setting, surrounded by bars and restaurants if needed, or a fully equipped kitchen if preferred,’ says Sean Cleary-Le Grange and Kobie Le Grange, owners and founders of In The City Hospitality Group (ITC).

‘They want more than a bed and shower and are looking for upmarket home-style amenities, such as state-of-the-art fixtures and furnishings, SMART TVs and uncapped fibre Wi-Fi. For these reasons, aparthotels are the perfect solution – hotel services are on tap, but guests have the option of more independent, apartment-style living that is also more cost-effective and spacious.’

Buildings for the Future 

Cape Town CBD has many aparthotels, notable ones being One Thibault, 16 on Bree, and Cartwrights Corner. The ITC Hospitality Group has over 270 suites to choose from in these three developments. A bonus feature for South African residents is that these apartments are energy efficient and not subjected to load shedding, that uniquely South African phrase for scheduled power blackouts.

One Thibault, previously known as the BP Centre, was a trendsetter way back in 1972. It was the tallest building in the city at 32 storeys high and placed on a north-south axis to maximise the views, light, and energy efficiency. One Thibault has been repurposed to meet the needs of the new generation and is a mixed-use building with commercial space occupying the first 14 floors, and floors 15 to 28 are now a luxury aparthotel offering studio, one and two-bedroomed apartments. 

16 On Bree is a new 36-story building developed on the site of the old HHO and Feldman buildings. While the lower-level heritage façade has been preserved, the high-rise building is stylish and has state-of-the-art technology and energy-saving features. Retail takes up the first two floors, and factoring in parking issues in the city, nine parking levels solve that particular problem. The remaining 25 stories comprise studio apartments, one and two-bedroom units, and three and four-bedroom penthouses. The 27th floor has a fabulous outdoor pool and entertainment area with jaw-dropping views of the city, ocean and mountain. 

Cartwrights Corner in Adderley Street has seen many transformations, from the Victorian warehouse for Fletcher and Cartwright to a manor house, retail outlet, offices, apartments, and now a 20-story aparthotel. On offer are one and two-bedroomed apartments and two and three-bedroomed penthouses.

A city that moves with the times

Cape Town successfully rejuvenated the stagnant business hub of the 1990s into the city we enjoy today. It now provides a thriving mix of corporate, retail, residential and leisure space for locals and visitors – an offering that the likes of Johannesburg and Durban offer too. The question is: can other smaller cities follow the Mother City’s ability to rejuvenate itself and cater to the next generation?