Knowing how to make your property stand out against competitors can be challenging as there are many excellent properties. That’s why, as the world’s leading serviced apartment provider, we know the recipe for success.
At SilverDoor, we recognise the importance of high-quality, contemporary property offerings. That’s why we have a dedicated Partner Relationships team on hand. With over one million apartments in our portfolio, we know exactly what makes a property stand out.
We asked our Partner Relationships team to share their top five tips on how you can stand out from the crowd. From decorative features to sustainable appliances, there are countless ways to make your property shine. Read on to hear what our experts had to say…
1.Make a stay great by valuing your guests
Feeling looked after and valued is important, especially when you’re away from home. Therefore, always having someone available, such as a 24/7 reception, live chat, or WhatsApp where guests can instantly speak to someone, allows guests to feel reassured that if an issue arises they know who to reach out to. Additionally, offering round-the-clock support signals a company’s commitment to timely assistance, which plays a critical role in maintaining a positive brand reputation.
Adding a personal touch to your service is also a great idea. After a long day of travel, there’s nothing nicer than a surprise care package with items like snacks or tea bags, it instantly makes the place feel more like home.
Hear what our Partner Account Manager has to say about this:
“Having someone who is always ready to help, someone who is attentive and professional, someone who is always responsive when a problem occurs, is the key to having a successful property.”
Ignacio Carvajal, Partner Account Manager – Iberia & LATAM
2. Feeling safe, secure and comfortable in a home-like environment
It may sound simple but ensuring that properties are designed to the highest specifications can make the difference between a good stay and a great one. The best apartments look, smell and feel fresh, with high-quality, comfortable soft furnishings to make guests feel right at home. While there are various colour schemes to suit different tastes, most corporate travellers typically prefer apartments with modern, clean designs in neutral but warm tones, furnished with good-quality accent pieces. Aesthetics and visual elements are highly influential. A recent study suggeststhat features such as room layout, furniture design, lighting, and colour schemes can create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the perceived quality of the stay.
Shabina Awan, Vice President of Partner Development, points out there is more to a property than looks, though:
“Aesthetics are incredibly important, but what must be clear before even entering the property is the security element.”
Traveller safety is the most important element of any corporate travel. According to recent research from SAP, over 50% of global business travellers have had to switch accommodation due to feeling unsafe. Safety extends beyond the physical mechanisms of the property; it includes the visual elements that contribute to an environment where guests are able to feel secure and comfortable.
This commitment to excellence is ingrained within SilverDoor through our SilverDoor Verified scheme. We believe in only offering accommodation that we would be happy to stay in ourselves. Therefore, we personally vet as many apartments as possible to ensure they meet our highest standards.
Want to learn more about SilverDoor’s extensive quality assurance programme? Read here…
3. Offering guests and businesses the option to make sustainable choices.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a key concern for travel managers and their business travellers. More than one in four (27%) would be willing to decline a business trip due to the environmental impact of travel or the lack of sustainable options. It is, therefore, vital that property partners Reflect these preferences in their product and service.
Starting your sustainability journey can seem daunting but it’s important to start small - using environmentally friendly appliances, amenities and products, like energy-saving lighting, recycling bins, renewable energy sources, and eliminating single-use plastics from properties.
This can all be made simpler by continuously measuring your environmental impact, allowing you to monitor any specific areas of high carbon emissions. This is where SilverDoor’s Carbon Calculator comes in handy, as property partners can input their building-specific data into our content management section. The SilverDoor Carbon Calculator then uses this data to generate an estimated calculation of carbon emissions produced per night of stay.
With this information, business travellers can make more sustainable choices. We recommend using this system to help your property stand out and to encourage more sustainable practices, as this will create greater opportunities for the property. Learn more about our Carbon Calculator here…
“With significant pressure on companies to demonstrate and report their CO2 emissions, it has become imperative for many to record the impact of their carbon footprint. When Property Partners engage with the SilverDoor Carbon Calculator and provide their data to estimate CO2e emissions, they present the vital information required by this pool of clients. Property Partners may find that by simply providing these figures, they open themselves to new opportunities to win business.”
Kurtis Murphy, Head Partner Account Manager – EMEA
4. Providing travellers with activities that positively impact their mental health
While business travel can be exciting, it can also feel overwhelming, especially when a business traveller is far from their family. Providing additional offerings can be very helpful, whether it be on-site amenities like gyms or food and beverage options at aparthotels, or partnerships with local gyms and eateries if on-site options are unavailable.
These offerings enable travellers to maintain routines like those they have at home and encourage them to explore the area, which is incredibly beneficial for their mental health.
Hosting social events for business travellers is also a useful idea, as it helps to reduce the feelings of loneliness often felt by travellers and allows them to socialise and connect with like-minded corporates. Examples of this could include arranging evening drinks for all corporates to afternoon teas and movie nights, This helps make your property feel welcoming and sociable as social interactions can significantly reduce feelings of isolation.
“When property partners arrange social events for their guests, it allows guests to feel valued and appreciated. This can make them more comfortable during their stay, as it provides them with opportunities to make friends, which is crucial for combating loneliness”.
Cecilia Cai, Partner Account Manager – APAC
5. Enjoy living like a local with access to amenities, transport links and a community.
This may seem obvious, but no one wants to stay somewhere that isn’t pleasant, safe, and homely. While design can help create this atmosphere, the property’s location is equally important. Proximity to the office, access to reliable public transport, and a selection of places to eat or shop nearby can greatly influence a guest's decision to choose one accommodation over another. Being situated in a culturally or historically significant area can also be an attractive feature.
“A good location is crucial to an enjoyable stay, regardless of where in the world a client is enquiring, being in a clean and safe neighbourhood close to amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, and transport links is key to customer satisfaction.”
Chris Beales, Senior Partner Account Manager – EMEA
Now that you’re clued up on how to achieve the best property portfolio, reach out today to become a SilverDoor property partner.
