Zurich corporate housing: why serviced apartments are winning over Mobility teams

Zurich is a powerhouse of international business, home to leading financial institutions, life sciences companies, and global headquarters. However, it is also one of the most expensive cities in the world, presenting a unique challenge for HR executives and corporate mobility managers. Accommodation alone accounts for around 34% of the typical corporate travel budget, according to TravelPerk (2024), making it the single largest line item for many companies.

With average hotel rates in Zurich ranging between CHF 250 and CHF 350 per night (Radical Storage, 2024), long assignments or relocations quickly become expensive. Add to this the need for duty of care, compliance with mobility policies, and employee satisfaction, and it’s clear that Zurich requires a more strategic approach to corporate housing.

Why serviced apartments are outperforming hotels

Serviced apartments have become the preferred solution for many organisations facing these challenges. Though nightly rates typically average between CHF 260 and CHF 290 (Booking.com, 2025), putting them in the same range as hotels, they deliver significantly more value. Tenants have access to full kitchens, laundry facilities, and living space, which cuts spending on restaurants, dry cleaning, and ad hoc meeting rooms.

This is not only about cost savings. Having a private apartment creates a sense of normality and independence, which is particularly valuable during longer assignments. Employees are better able to focus on their work, maintain healthy routines, and settle into their new life. For mobility managers, serviced apartments offer a product that is easier to control and audit, with safety standards, policy compliance, and predictable service levels built into the package.

Zurich market snapshot: strong demand for long stays

The market data supports this shift. AirROI (2024) shows that over 32% of Zurich’s short-term rental listings require stays of 30 nights or more, demonstrating strong demand for extended assignments. Globally, the serviced apartment sector was valued at USD 123.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 12.7% CAGR through 2034, according to InsightAce Analytic. Europe, in particular, has seen a faster occupancy recovery for serviced apartments than for hotels (HospitalityNet, 2024), underlining their relevance for corporate mobility programmes.

Mobility priorities: safety, location and compliance

Mobility managers consistently rank traveller safety, location and policy compliance as their top priorities when selecting accommodation, with cost coming slightly further down the list. The Global Serviced Apartment Industry Report 2024 confirmed that corporate buyers prioritise these factors above all else. Serviced apartments meet these criteria effectively, offering vetted, secure housing in neighbourhoods close to Zurich’s key business areas, including Paradeplatz, Oerlikon, and Zurich Airport, while allowing companies to maintain compliance across multiple placements.

Cost comparison: hotels versus serviced apartments in Zurich

Sources: Budget Your Trip, Zurich Hotels; Booking.com, Zurich Aparthotels.

This snapshot makes clear that even at parity on nightly rates, the long-stay savings are compelling, and this doesn’t yet factor in meal, laundry, and meeting space savings that serviced apartments offer.

Cityus: a case study in corporate housing excellence

As mobility teams look for trusted partners, providers with an integrated approach are setting the standard. Cityus is one such example. Active in the serviced apartment industry for more than 10 years, the company has grown steadily across Switzerland. Since 2024, the company has expanded in northern Switzerland with new developments in Lucerne and Dübendorf, and in 2025 it added two new Zurich locations on Badenerstrasse and in Oerlikon.

But how to find apartments for rent? Cityus offers a mix of modern studios and one- to two-bedroom apartments, all ready-to-move-in and fully serviced with all-inclusive billing. Its one-stop-shop model is designed around the needs of corporate clients. The guest success team supports employees before their arrival and throughout their stay, while the property management team can welcome them with in-person check-ins if requested. A dedicated finance team handles all billing and invoicing with clarity, providing HR teams with full visibility and predictability of costs. Cityus also delivers sophisticated, automatic, and personalised reporting, making it easier for mobility managers to manage and track housing spend, stay durations, and compliance, directly supporting their needs and expectations.

This approach allows mobility teams to place employees in Zurich with confidence, knowing they are supported by both online and in-person services throughout their stay. It also ensures compliance with duty of care requirements and gives employees a premium experience that makes their relocation smoother and less stressful.

Conclusion: a smarter corporate housing strategy

Zurich’s corporate housing market is changing, and serviced apartments are at the centre of that transformation. With hotel costs high and demand for long-term stays growing, mobility managers are rethinking their strategies to prioritise solutions that deliver cost efficiency, compliance, and employee care.

Cityus demonstrates how a modern serviced apartment provider can meet these needs with a premium, all-inclusive product, a dedicated support structure, and a deep understanding of corporate mobility requirements. For HR and mobility executives, serviced apartments are no longer just an option but a competitive advantage.