A serviced apartment is a type of furnished, self-contained apartment designed for short-term stays, which provides amenities for daily use. Serviced apartments can be less expensive than equivalent hotel rooms. Since the beginning of the boom in cheap international travel and the corresponding increase in the level of sophistication of international travelers, interest in serviced apartments has risen at the expense of the use of hotels for short stays. Serviced apartments usually come equipped with amenities that can be found in a regular home, such as a refrigerator, microwave, cutlery, washer/dryer, TV, and internet access. In addition, many offer a dining area and a dedicated work space. Prices for serviced apartments are typically lower than equivalent hotels rooms, especially when the stay is prolonged. Some serviced apartments are located in a hotel and share the facilities. In other cases, they are branded as part of a larger serviced apartment network.