Boardinghouse, extended stay, aparthotel - what is the difference and what do you really need?

When looking for accommodation for several weeks or months, you quickly encounter a number of terms that all seem to mean roughly the same thing: boarding house, extended stay hotel, serviced apartment, aparthotel, contractor housing, and temporary living.

Are these different things? Or just different names for the same thing?

The short answer: There are real differences—in quality, amenities, target audience, and what you actually get in the end. This article explains the differences clearly and without marketing jargon.

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Boarding house – flexible, but basic

The term boarding house originates from England and originally referred to a house where rooms were furnished and rented out for short periods—often with a shared kitchen, shared bathroom, and basic furnishings. In the 19th century, it was the standard accommodation for migrant workers and travelers.

Today, the term boarding house is used in Germany as a collective term for furnished short-term rentals—without a uniform standard. A boarding house can be a simple room with a shared kitchen or a decent studio with a private bathroom. The term says little about the quality.

What typically characterizes boarding houses:

• Furnished units, rentable by the day or week
• Often shared areas (kitchen, laundry room)
• Basic to mid-range amenities
• Affordable, but little consistency in standards

For whom: Contractors, tradespeople, and short-term staff looking for functional accommodation without high expectations.

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Extended stay hotel – the American concept

Extended stay hotels originated in the USA—chains like Extended Stay America or Residence Inn by Marriott popularized the concept. The idea: a hotel specifically designed for guests staying for longer periods, featuring kitchenettes in the rooms and more affordable weekly rates.

In Germany, the term is less established, but the concept is widespread. The difference from a classic hotel: a kitchenette instead of a minibar, less daily service, and more independence.

The catch: A kitchenette is not a kitchen. Two hot plates and a small refrigerator are fine for an evening—but for three months, it is a limitation you will notice quickly.

Typical characteristics of extended stay hotels:

• Traditional hotel structure with a reception desk
• Kitchenette instead of a full kitchen
• Weekly rates lower than daily rates
• Impersonal, often large properties with many units
• Lacks a personal touch

Who it is for: Guests who require the security of a familiar hotel structure but are staying for a longer period.

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Serviced apartment – the hallmark of quality

The term serviced apartment has become a hallmark of quality for the upscale segment of furnished temporary housing – it is widely used internationally and is particularly strong in the British and Asian markets.

The difference between a boarding house and an extended stay hotel lies in the completeness: a real kitchen with full equipment, a private bathroom, separate living and sleeping areas, high-quality furnishings, and reliable cleaning services. You are not just booking a room – you are booking a home away from home. Our detailed comparison shows how this differs from a hotel in everyday life Serviced apartment or hotel.

What characterizes serviced apartments:

• Fully equipped kitchen – no compromises
• Private bathroom and living area
• High-quality furniture and design
• Weekly cleaning service
• Corporate invoicing and flexible lease terms
• Self-check-in, often without a staffed reception

For whom: Business travelers, expats, and project teams who value comfort and reliability.

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Aparthotel – the international standard

The aparthotel is the most professional and internationally recognized form of temporary housing. From London to Dubai to Singapore, those who travel globally and are looking for long-term accommodation know the term and what to expect.

An aparthotel combines the quality standards of a hotel with the space, amenities, and independence of a full-fledged apartment. Not just a kitchenette, but a real kitchen. Not an anonymous front desk, but a personal point of contact. Not a standard room, but a unit designed for living, not just for sleeping.

What sets an aparthotel apart:

• Fully equipped kitchen as standard, not as an option
• Hotel-quality furnishings, linens, and service
• Self-check-in
• Flexible unit sizes for various needs
• Corporate billing, framework agreements, and a personal point of contact
• Internationally bookable and filterable as a category on all major platforms

The crucial difference from an extended-stay hotel: an aparthotel does not lower its standards to reduce costs. It delivers hotel quality in accommodation that truly works for longer stays.

For whom: Business travelers, international expats, and project teams—anyone who knows what they want and refuses to compromise.

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Contractor housing – functional and affordable

Contractor housing is the most pragmatic category. Furnished, often with multiple rooms in one apartment, shared kitchen, and basic amenities—designed for functionality, not comfort.

Quality varies significantly. There are no reliable standards, often no corporate invoicing, and a lack of professional operations. We have summarized what companies should look for when accommodating teams in our article Worker housing vs. project accommodation .

Target audience: Tradespeople, construction workers, and technicians looking for affordable, no-frills accommodation.

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21rooms Ingolstadt – an aparthotel

21rooms is an aparthotel in the heart of Ingolstadt. It is not a boarding house or an extended-stay hotel with a kitchenette – it is an aparthotel in the truest sense of the term.

In practical terms, this means studios ranging from 20 to 43 sqm and multi-room apartments up to 120 sqm – fully equipped, furnished to a high standard, and featuring a private kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a dedicated workspace. Laundry facilities are available via WeWash in the basement laundry room, bookable and payable digitally via app. There is a lockable bicycle storage room on-site and 24/7 self-check-in. To see what you need for your move-in – namely, just a suitcase – check out our packing list for serviced apartments.

Weekly rates apply from the seventh night, with monthly rates available for longer projects. We provide corporate invoicing and framework agreements for companies that regularly send employees to Ingolstadt.

If you are looking for an extended-stay hotel or serviced apartment in Ingolstadt – and ultimately want reliable, high-quality accommodation with personalized service – 21rooms is the right choice, regardless of the search term you use.

Planning a longer stay in Ingolstadt? You can find all our terms and conditions on our temporary living page – view apartments and availability or Get in touch directly for a quote or a framework agreement.