ServicedApartments.nl: The booking platform for serviced apartments in The Netherlands

If you’re looking for a serviced apartment in the Netherlands, then ServicedApartments. nl is the ideal solution. With over 7,000 homes across the Netherlands to choose from, there’s an apartment for everyone and to satisfy every family situation. The simple booking system is supported by a professional team focused on helping you find the perfect apartment. With just a couple clicks you’ve booked and rented a home! ServicedApartments.nl was established to respond to the increasing demand for temporary accommodation. Now, ServicedApartments.nl is celebrating its fifth anniversary! We joined the organization to reflect on those years.

How would you sum up the last five years?

Jouke Baaima, Director and co-owner of ServicedApartments.nl and Corporate Housing Factory: ‘Turbulent, adventurous, inventive, thinking in solutions not limitations and going back to the drawing board, but more than anything teamwork and fun! Starting out from a request by one of our regular corporate clients we’ve grown into a mature, reliable and internationally acclaimed platform and “human helpdesk” for serviced apartments across the Netherlands. And we’re still innovating. Because the world’s always changing.’

What were some highlights of the past years for you?

Michael Berendsen, Director and co-owner of ServicedApartments.nl and Corporate Housing Factory: ‘That other serviced apartment providers throughout the Netherlands joined SA.nl within our very first year, and the inventory we did of all locations. The result of that first year was 50 signed partners and a huge addition in serviced apartments. Our first international nomination for “Best short-term rental platform” at the Serviced Apartment Awards in London was another incredible high point. I’m proud that we’ve become the Dutch platform for multinationals looking for an initial place to settle their employees in the Netherlands.’

Looking back, what development at SA.nl stands out most in your memory? 

Emma Cruwys, Revenue manager: ‘We did about a month and a half of extensive testing and piloting before deciding we were finally ready to go live with SA.nl, and then got an instantaneous flood of requests for all over the country! Clearly there was huge demand for what SA.nl could offer. After that we rapidly stepped up our team and IT to be able to continue offering customized services.’

Many companies are struggling now due to the pandemic. What are you doing to push through?

Nayton Craig, Sales manager: ‘We’re offering more customized services for our clients – the companies that book apartments with us – and staying in touch with our accommodation partners countrywide.’ How do you know that clients are satisfied? Anjani Grobben - de Graaf, Reservations & Sales supervisor: ‘We get lots of emails and calls with positive feedback about our service. Clients give especially high marks for our speed of service and ease of use. We’ve noticed both our clients and partners like being able to act fast and value a good relationship. You might even find us chitchatting about our weekends, haha!’

How do you work together as a team?

Eva van Zijl, Finance & Legal manager: ‘We’re a firm that’s continually innovating and that calls for a great deal of internal teamwork. These last years we’ve built up a great, close-knit team where we can all rely on each other. It took some getting used to the new way of working resulting from the corona situation, but we’ve found a good system.’

What makes you go to work with a smile every day?

Eva Valkhoff, Marketing & Communications manager: ‘The pride in the things we’ve accomplished with our fantastic team in a relatively short time of five years. My colleagues, and the freedom we have to be ourselves and to keep developing ourselves. Those are the things that really give me pleasure in my job. And we’re also always doing new things, which definitely keeps you on your toes!’