Where apartment-based short-term rentals really came from
Serviced apartments did not begin as one single invention in one single city. The model emerged across Europe as a response to travelers wanting short stays with more flexibility, more space and a more residential feel than a traditional hotel room could offer.
Spain became one of the clearest examples of how powerful this model could become, and in 2025 tourist apartments accounted for 52.1% of all tourist nights in the country, overtaking hotels for the first time.
That growth was driven especially by longer leisure stays, families and guests who valued kitchens, living space and a more home-like experience.
Why the internet changed everything
The real acceleration came with online booking. Before that, apartment rentals depended on local agencies, classified ads or word of mouth, which kept the market fragmented and hard to scale.
The European Parliament notes that the short-term rental market has expanded rapidly, and that 854.1 million nights were booked across the EU in 2024 through four major platforms: Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group and Tripadvisor, up 18.8% from 2023.
- Online listings made apartments visible to international guests.
- Reviews and photos increased trust in the product.
- Digital payments and calendar management made operations more professional.
Without the internet, short term rental in Bucharest would have stayed a niche. With it, the sector became searchable, comparable and scalable.
How low-cost airlines helped demand explode
Low-cost airlines mattered because they created the perfect travel pattern for serviced apartments: shorter stays, more frequent trips and more spontaneous travel decisions.
The wider travel industry was transformed as the web made it easier for people to search, buy and share trips online, reinforcing the same digital habits that also supported short-term apartment bookings.
For leisure guests, apartments often offered better value per square meter. For companies, they opened the door to more efficient corporate housing in Bucharest and corporate accommodation solutions in Bucharest.
How the Bucharest market emerged and matured
In Bucharest, the market grew gradually as tourism, business travel and digital booking habits became stronger. What started as scattered apartment offers evolved into professionally managed units, especially in central and well-connected areas.
According to Crosspoint data cited by Ziarul Financiar, Bucharest’s short-term rental market generated 41.3 million euro in 2023, nearly double the 2019 level, while average daily rates rose by more than 60% to 62 euro.
In 2025, Bucharest remained Romania’s best-performing urban short-term rental market, generating 66.8 million euro in total revenue, with around 5,507 listed apartments, an ADR of 56.5 euro and an average occupancy rate of 62%.
| Indicator | Bucharest 2023 | Bucharest 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total market revenue | €41.3 million | €66.8 million |
| Listed units | 3,942 properties | 5,507 apartments |
| ADR | €62 | €56.5 |
Why a strong serviced apartment portfolio matters
As the market matured, location alone stopped being enough. Guests increasingly expected transparent pricing, accurate descriptions and reliable check-in processes from a professional operator.
The in-bucharest.com accommodation page shows off-season price examples ranging from 40 euro to 94 euro per night across listed apartments, while published reviews emphasize central location, cleanliness, realistic photography and efficient check-in.
That is exactly what turns a simple listing into a competitive serviced apartments Bucharest product.
Why this market is so relevant now
The formula is clear: the internet created visibility, low-cost airlines created movement, and Bucharest created year-round demand from both leisure and business travelers.
That is why serviced apartments Bucharest, short term rental Bucharest and corporate accommodation Bucharest are no longer fringe options. They are now a central part of the city’s accommodation economy.
