Apartment, flat, studio — what the words mean here
In listings, “apartments” usually means an ordinary flat rented out by the day. In Russian law an apartment is a non-residential unit, but in short-term rental the word is used as a synonym for hotel-style housing. What matters is not the label but the layout and how many people it sleeps.
Layouts and how many people fit
- Studio. One room with the kitchen in it. Usually 27–30 m², comfortable for two or three. Cheaper than the rest and fine for a short trip.
- One-room flat. The kitchen is behind a wall. The same floor area as a studio, but sleeping and cooking do not get in each other's way — a noticeable difference when guests get up at different times.
- Open-plan one-bedroom. A bedroom plus a kitchen-living room. Around 39–40 m², designed for four: two in the bedroom, two on the sofa bed in the living room. The most common choice for a family and for two colleagues who need their own space.
- Two-room flat and open-plan two-bedroom. Two bedrooms, or a bedroom and a large living room. Taken by groups and for long stays.
The capacity in a listing is not “how many can squeeze in” but how many proper sleeping places there are. A sofa bed counts; an air mattress does not.
What to look for in the photos
Photos say more than a description, if you know where to look:
- whether every room is shown, bathroom and kitchen included. A missing room is usually missing on purpose;
- whether everything was shot on the same day. Different weather outside and a different interior across frames mean some photos are old;
- whether you can see the actual window and the view from it — on the ground floor that matters more than it seems;
- whether the furniture matches between the wide shot and the close-ups.
In our catalogue every apartment is shot in full and in one go: from 7 to 21 frames per property, kitchen and bathroom included. The photos are of that apartment, not of a “similar” one.
What should be inside
The basics without which a rented flat loses to a hotel: a kitchen you can actually cook in rather than only reheat, a washing machine, internet, and linen and towels included. Our list is the same in every apartment:
- Free Wi-Fi
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Cooktop
- Microwave
- Electric kettle
- Fully equipped kitchen with cookware and tableware
- Washing machine
- Clothes drying rack
- Iron, ironing board and hairdryer
- Water heater
- Toiletries, towels and bathrobes
- Fresh bed linen
- Parking in the courtyard
- Playground
That is why an apartment page lists only what comes on top of this set: a balcony, underground parking, CCTV in the building.
How to choose an area
The city is small, but the areas differ. The Regional Hospital area suits a trip connected with medicine or with the centre. The university area works for those who came to study or on business to the university. The airport area saves an early departure. We have 13 apartments in 4 areas of the city.
Open the catalogue — it has filters by number of guests, rooms and area, and availability is checked against the dates you pick.