With 13 properties and more than 1,000 rooms across Australia, Metro Hotels offers both hotel and apartment-style accommodation and has experienced an increase in demand for apartments in its key city locations.
Metro Hotel's chief operating officer, George Bedwani, said leisure travellers were a strong market for Metro Apartments Darling Harbour and Metro Apartments on Bank Place, with guests citing the convenient location, extra space and facilities as the greatest attractions.
"In Sydney, our guests love the fact they can walk out the door and be in the heart of one of the city's most attractive and vibrant areas in minutes, yet are only a short walk or train trip from most other attractions," Bedwani said.
"In Melbourne, Bank Place is truly in the heart of the city so people can shop, enjoy a show or just stroll along the Yarra River.
"Yet the real attraction of both these properties for families is when they return to their apartment and can relax and enjoy a home-away-from-home experience. They can prepare a meal or do their own washing without leaving the premises, yet when they depart they don't have to clean up and change beds like you would in a rental property.
"Australians may aspire to owning a backyard when it comes to our homes but we are increasingly choosing an apartment when it comes to our holidays."
Australian Bureau of Statistics data found the number of guest nights spent in serviced apartments jumped 73 percent in the past decade to more than two million nights.