Today I'd like to take a moment to introduce and recognize Only Apartments for their sponsorship of Go Backpacking, which is now entering its third year.
Thanks in part to their generous support since 2009, I've been able to continue traveling and writing on a full time basis, and paying other writers to contribute their tips and stories as well.
The Only Apartments web portal launched in 2002 and now features over 20,000 properties in 200 destinations around the world.
The company employees 36 people, and is based in Barcelona, Spain.
“Our main objective is to offer alternative lodging which is much more economical when compared to a traditional hotel. We work exclusively with the owners of the apartments cutting out the middle man and so avoiding price increases.”
In Rome alone, for example, they currently have 631 different apartments to choose from, covering a wide spectrum of budgets.
Customer support is available via phone 7 days a week in 8 different languages.
The website is available in multiple languages, and you can choose to display the pricing information in 20 different currencies, including US Dollars, British Pounds, and the Euro.
The online apartment rental space has gotten very crowded in recent years.
And after my last few weeks staying in apartments here in Lima, Peru, I now know why.
A few of the advantages I've experienced with my first few short term apartment rentals include:
- Quiet (aside from traffic, there's no hostel stereo system to bother you, or the general noise of people coming and going all the time)
- More comfortable than a typical hostel or budget hotel
- Your own kitchen (no need to share with others)
- Ability to host friends or couchsurfers (and even throw a party if you desire)
But perhaps most of all, staying in an apartment gives you the feeling of being an expat — a resident of the city, instead of just another hostel or hotel guest passing through town.
Once again, a big thank you to Only Apartments for their continued support of Go Backpacking.