January 2026 - Services, Property Management

Serviced apartments and aparthotels in Switzerland: A strategic growth opportunity for property owners and asset managers

At Cityus, our business would simply not exist without the trust and collaboration of property owners and asset managers. Without high-quality apartments, we would not be able to furnish, operate and deliver premium serviced apartments and aparthotels for corporate housing clients across Switzerland. But assets alone are not enough — it is the quality of the partnership that ultimately drives portfolio performance, yield optimisation and long-term value creation.

In today’s real estate environment, property management ensures that assets function efficiently day to day, while asset management focuses on investment strategy, performance oversight and value creation across the full life cycle of an asset. The serviced apartment and aparthotel sector sits precisely at the intersection of these disciplines. When asset managers, owners and specialist operators such as Cityus work in alignment, apartments are not simply operated efficiently; they are strategically positioned to perform within their market.

This collaborative approach supports informed decisions around pricing, positioning, unit mix and capital planning. It allows stakeholders to continuously assess whether rental levels reflect corporate demand, whether layouts meet the expectations of internationally mobile tenants, and whether enhancements genuinely contribute to higher net operating income and long-term asset value. This is where specialist operational expertise becomes a genuine value driver for investors.

A Strategic Growth Opportunity for Property Owners and Asset Managers

Market growth validating corporate-driven demand

The serviced apartment and aparthotel asset class continues to attract both capital and occupier demand across Europe. According to market analysis published by Custom Market Insights, the European serviced apartment market was valued at USD 40.36 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 122.21 billion by 2034, with annual growth exceeding 13%. This growth is largely driven by rising demand for flexible, professionally managed accommodation.

At a global level, Precedence Research reports that more than half of all serviced apartment or aparthotel demand now comes from corporate and business travellers, while extended stays account for a growing share of total occupancy. These demand patterns are closely linked to corporate relocation, project-based assignments and international mobility programmes.

In Switzerland, this evolution is clearly visible in key business hubs. Research published by JLL highlights that the number of serviced apartment or aparthotel units in Zurich doubled between 2017 and early 2025. This growth reflects strong market adoption of flexible living solutions and confirms that this is not a niche trend, but a structural shift in how companies accommodate mobile talent.

The number of serviced apartment or apart-hotel units in Zurich doubled between 2017 and early 2025.

Investors turning to specialist operating partners

Fund managers, institutional investors and family offices are increasingly recognising the performance potential of serviced apartments or aparthotels within diversified real estate portfolios. Industry analysis published by Relocate Magazine shows that the proportion of investors actively targeting serviced apartment or aparthotel assets increased from 24% in 2024 to 27% in 2025, underlining growing confidence in the asset class.

This trend was particularly visible at IMMO26 in Zurich, which we attended at the beginning of the year. The fair brought together asset managers, institutional investors, developers and real estate professionals from across Switzerland and Europe, all actively exploring new operating models and performance-driven strategies. A recurring theme in discussions was clear: investors are looking for experienced operating partners who can combine market knowledge, operational excellence and access to corporate demand to maximise asset performance.

This is exactly where Cityus positions itself. With over ten years of experience in the serviced apartment and aparthotel sector, we bring both operational expertise and market insight. We understand Swiss market dynamics, regulatory environments and location-specific demand. Just as importantly, we understand what international and local corporate housing clients expect in terms of design, functionality, reliability and flexibility, allowing us to align asset performance with occupier expectations.

Comfort in a furnished apartment

What Cityus brings to asset managers and owners

Cityus is not simply a property operator; we are a strategic partner for performance. Through our tailored solutions for property owners, we support asset managers and owners in strengthening asset positioning, improving operational performance and supporting more predictable income streams.

Our teams combine demand intelligence and pricing strategy grounded in real corporate housing needs, professional operations, and direct relationships with multinational companies and relocation partners. This allows us to translate market insight into higher net operating income and long-term asset value.

Our experience across Swiss markets ensures that each property is positioned to attract the right tenant profile, minimise vacancy and support predictable revenue. This depth of expertise and operational capability is what enables asset managers to scale within the serviced apartment or aparthotel sector with confidence.

A key part of the value we bring lies in how we actively protect and maintain the asset itself. Our apartments are overseen by dedicated operational teams who carry out regular quality checks and inspections. We use structured check-in and check-out processes supported by formal inventory and condition reports, signed both by tenants and by our teams. This creates accountability, transparency and consistency in how each unit is managed.

This operational discipline ensures that apartments remain in excellent condition over time, helps prevent the gradual degradation of the property, and significantly reduces the risk of costly corrective works. For asset managers and property owners, this translates into stronger asset preservation, fewer surprises, and lower long-term maintenance costs.

2 bedroom apartment in Nyon, Switerland

The changing nature of corporate housing demand

Companies across Switzerland and Europe are rethinking how they manage global mobility. Long-term leases or extended hotel stays are not ideal for project-based assignments, transitional periods and international relocations. Serviced apartments or aparthotels offer a flexible and practical alternative.

This shift is reflected in corporate demand trends highlighted by Precedence Research, which confirms that corporate and business travellers represent the majority of serviced apartment or aparthotel demand globally. This aligns with what we see in practice: companies are actively seeking accommodation solutions that offer flexibility and operational simplicity.

Serviced apartments or aparthotels support corporate housing strategies that prioritise predictability and efficiency, while still offering occupants a high standard of space, comfort and functionality. The sustained demand from relocation programmes, interim placements, leadership moves and project teams continues to reinforce this housing alternative as a performance-driven solution for both occupiers and investors.

Furnished 1 bedroom apartment Zurich

Grow a strategic portfolio value creation with Cityus

As the serviced apartment and aparthotel sector continues to mature in Switzerland and across Europe, asset managers and property owners who integrate professional operating partners into their portfolio strategy stand to benefit from stronger diversification, improved resilience, more consistent operational performance and enhanced attractiveness to corporate demand.

Long-term market projections published by Custom Market Insights support this trajectory, confirming that this alternative is evolving into a structural component of modern real estate portfolios rather than a short-term trend.

Cityus stands ready to partner with you on this journey. With our operational expertise, experienced teams and deep understanding of corporate housing demand, we support asset managers and property owners in unlocking value, strengthening performance and positioning assets for sustainable long-term success.

Sources (accessed January 2026)