Bangkok is the Centre of Southeast Asia 

As the commercial centre of Thailand and the hub of business and leisure travel within Southeast Asia, Bangkok has exceptional hotels of all kinds catering to the business elite and casual traveller. 

Recently, a new kind of accommodation has gained favour with business executives on short stays in Bangkok--the luxury serviced apartment. With increased commercial expansion over the past several years, serviced apartments are quickly becoming the favourite choice of living style for their affordable luxury. 

What is a Serviced Apartment? 

The serviced part of the equation usually refers to the daily or twice weekly cleaning of your room, the furniture, kitchen amenities and so on that normal apartments do not include. Some service apartments also function as hotels, and these are called Aparthotels. 

What's So Special About Bangkok Serviced Apartments? 

Real estate and relocation agents believe Bangkok has the greatest number of sophisticated apartments the world has to offer. There are not just one or two luxurious apartments, but close to 50. This is because skilled labour is cheap in Thailand, and the city itself is a major business hub for the southeast Asia region. 

Renting a serviced apartment in Bangkok can be a daunting task for several reasons--the primary one being there are so many 'fine print' and extra costs involved when signing a weekly, monthly or yearly contract. 

The Best Areas to Live in Bangkok 

Bangkok contains inexpensive to exclusive apartments, but the best ones are found in the following regions of Bangkok: 

    * Sukhumvit, the main road or artery of Bangkok 

    * Asok, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live 

    * Thong Lo, the chic and fashionable street, 

    * Sathorn, the business district of Bangkok 

    * Silom, another business and red-light district 

    * Ploenchit, business district 

    * Chit Lom, business district 

The areas listed above are all within easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, trains, sky trains, and expressways. If you choose to live in one of these areas, you will experience life in the centre of Bangkok's thriving business and shopping centres while indulging in an ultra-private serviced apartment in Bangkok.  

Facilities and Services of Typical Bangkok Serviced Apartments 

These vary between the different types of apartments and condos, but a standard of excellence has been established from the increasing competition among serviced apartments. Facilities and services are upgraded regularly to keep up with rival residences. However, before investing in a serviced apartment, be sure to check if these services and facilities are available. 

5 Services That Should Be Included Free of Charge: 

    * Room Cleaning 

    * Water/Utilities 

    * Internet Usage 

    * 24 Hour Security 

    * Room Service/Errand Boy 

4 Facilities That Should Be Included 

    * Restaurant 

    * Gym 

    * Pool 

    * Convenience Store 

The Loopholes: Length of Stay, Deposits and Electricity 

If you are staying for a month or year, the serviced apartment may charge you for electricity. Make sure that you negotiate this price to 6.5 Baht/Unit. A lot of times the apartment owners will charge 8 Baht/Unit for more profit. They only pay 3 or 4 Baht/Unit. 

Be careful when signing leases; most require a 2-month deposit, and if you move out before your contract is finished you forfeit this deposit. 

Make sure the serviced apartment has a laundry service, either in house or out of house. Most serviced apartments have coin operated laundry rooms as well as pick up services. More deluxe suites will have washing machine in the room. Note that most places do not have dryers. 

How much Should I Pay? 

This is a difficult question to answer, but the more facilities a serviced apartment has, the more it will cost. If a serviced apartment has a pool, gym and also functions as a 24-hour hotel, then the monthly price will be above 30,000 Baht. 

Location also has a large part to do with cost of a Bangkok serviced apartment. If you are staying in an area not close to sky train or subway access, your price will be much lower. Conversely, staying in the business districts of Silom or trendy spots like Ekkamai or Thonglor will raise your monthly rent.