There is no single price for a serviced apartment in Lagos. What you pay depends on five things: the area, the size, the services included, your dates and how long you stay. The fastest way to a real answer is to open live listings, choose your dates and look at the full total.
We do not print a price list, because Lagos prices move with the season and a list goes out of date fast. Instead, this guide shows what pushes the price up or down, so you can judge any quote. Then see serviced apartments in Lagoswith today’s prices.
The short answer
- A serviced apartment usually costs more per night than a plain shortlet of the same size, because cleaning, linen, power and staff cost money.
- The Island usually costs more than the Mainland. A flat in Ikoyi, Victoria Island or Lekki Phase 1 tends to cost more than a similar one in Ikeja, Yaba or Surulere.
- Longer stays often cost less per night. Some hosts give a lower rate for a week or a month.
- December and holidays cost more. Demand rises, and so do many night prices.
For live prices, browse shortlets in Ikoyi, Lekki or Ikeja and filter for the size you need.
What pushes the price up or down
| What | Pushes the price up | Keeps the price down |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, Ikeja GRA | Yaba, Surulere, Gbagada, further along the Lekki expressway |
| Size | More bedrooms, a duplex, a BQ | A studio or 1 bedroom |
| Services | Daily cleaning, 24-hour power, a front desk | Cleaning on request, set power hours |
| Building | New finish, pool, gym, sea or lagoon view | Older finish, no shared facilities |
| Dates | December, Easter, public holidays, big events, weekends | Quiet weekdays and quieter months |
| Length of stay | One or two nights | A week or a month |
Serviced apartments in Lekki
“Lekki” covers a long stretch. Lekki Phase 1 and the areas close to Victoria Island usually cost the most. Flats further east, towards Chevron and Ajah, usually cost less for the same size. Traffic on the expressway is the trade-off, so check the ride to where you need to be.
Serviced apartments in Ikeja
Ikeja suits business visitors and anyone with an early flight, because the airport is close. Ikeja GRA is the upmarket part, with prices to match. Other parts of Ikeja usually cost less than a similar flat on the Island. Before an early flight, a night close to the airport can also save you a stressful drive at dawn. Browse shortlets in Ikeja to compare.
Per night, per week, per month
Hosts price serviced apartments in different ways. Some quote a price per night. Others quote a price per week or per month, which usually works out cheaper per night. To compare fairly, turn every quote into a price per night:
- A weekly price: divide it by 7.
- A monthly price: divide it by the number of nights in your stay.
- One-off fees, such as a cleaning fee: add them to the total before you divide.
A one-off cleaning fee matters more on a short stay. Spread over two nights, it adds a lot to each night. Spread over thirty nights, it adds very little.
For a stay of a month or more, also ask:
- How often is the flat cleaned, and are linen and towels changed?
- Is power included in full, or is there a cap on generator hours or diesel?
- Do I top up the electricity meter myself?
- What happens to the unused nights if I have to leave early?
On Cabans, hosts can reward longer stays in two ways. A longer-stay discount takes a percentage off every night, such as “7+ nights, 10% off”. A free-nights offer gives you nights free, such as “Stay 5 nights, get 1 free”. You get whichever saves you more, never both. A host who prices by the week has the weekly price shared over its 7 nights.
Planning a month in the city? See monthly shortlets in Lagos.
What is included, and what is extra
“Serviced” has no fixed meaning, so two similar prices can buy very different stays. These are usually part of the price:
- furniture, a kitchen and basic supplies;
- cleaning on a set schedule;
- bed linen and towels;
- Wi-Fi and TV;
- water and security;
- some backup power.
These often cost extra:
- breakfast or other meals;
- laundry;
- an airport pick-up;
- extra cleaning;
- diesel beyond the set hours, on some long stays;
- a late check-out;
- hosting visitors or an event, where allowed at all.
Then there is the caution deposit. You get it back after you leave if nothing is damaged, but you still need the money up front. Our guide to whether a shortlet caution fee is refundable explains how it works.
Serviced apartment or shortlet: price compared
| Serviced apartment | Plain shortlet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per night | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Cleaning during the stay | Included on a schedule | Between guests, or on request |
| Staff nearby | Usually | Sometimes |
| Worth it for | Work trips, families, stays of weeks or months | Weekends, groups, celebrations |
If you are out all day and staying two nights, a plain shortlet may be all you need. If you are staying a month with children, regular cleaning and fresh linen can be worth the higher price. Read what a serviced apartment is and serviced apartment vs hotel for more.
Ways to pay less for a serviced apartment
You can often cut the bill without giving up much:
- Stay longer, in one booking. A week or a month usually costs less per night than a few nights at a time.
- Choose quieter dates. Weekdays and months outside December and the big holidays are often cheaper.
- Look one area over. A flat in Yaba or Surulere can cost less than a similar one on the Island. Check the ride first, so you do not spend the saving on traffic.
- Pay only for the services you use. If you will eat out and travel all day, daily cleaning and breakfast may not be worth it.
- Book early for busy dates. The best-value flats fill first.
- Compare the full total, not the night price. A low night price with a big cleaning fee can cost more than it looks.
Never chase a price that looks too good to be true. The cheapest “deal” is the one that turns out to be a scam.
Seeing the full price before you pay
The price per night is only part of the bill. Before you pay anything, get the full total for your dates in writing, with each part named:
- the nights, and any discount for a longer stay;
- any cleaning fee;
- the caution deposit, and when it comes back;
- any extras you have asked for;
- any payment fee.
Be careful with a price far below similar flats nearby, or a request to pay by transfer to “hold” the dates. Both are common signs of a scam. Read our guide to shortlet scam warning signs before you pay a stranger.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings shows its night price on each free day of the calendar. Pick your dates and the “Price Breakdown” lists the nights, any discount, the “Cleaning fee”, the “Caution deposit (refundable)” and the “Total”. You pay online through Paystack. Paystack’s payment fee is added and shown before you pay, and it is not refunded. Our help guide shows how to check dates and the price for a stay.
Ready to compare? See serviced apartments in Lagos, or browse shortlets in Victoria Island and Yaba.
Own a serviced apartment in Lagos? List your short let in Lagos and reach guests searching by area.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a serviced apartment in Lagos per night?
It depends on the area, the size, the services and your dates, so there is no single price. Prices also change through the year. For a real answer, open live serviced apartment listings in the area you need, choose your dates and look at the full total.
How much is a serviced apartment in Lekki?
Lekki covers a wide range. Flats in Lekki Phase 1 and close to Victoria Island usually cost more than similar flats further along the expressway towards Ajah. Size, finish, power and a pool also move the price. Compare live Lekki listings for your dates.
How much is a serviced apartment in Ikeja?
In Ikeja, homes in Ikeja GRA usually cost more than similar flats elsewhere in Ikeja. Ikeja is often cheaper than Ikoyi or Victoria Island for a similar flat, and it is close to the airport. Check live Ikeja listings for your dates to see today’s prices.
Is a serviced apartment cheaper per night if I stay a month?
Often, yes. Some hosts charge less per night for a week or a month, and a one-off cleaning fee is spread over more nights. Ask for the weekly and monthly rate, and compare the price per night, not the headline number.
Why do serviced apartments cost more in December?
Demand jumps in December, when many people come home for the holidays and the festive season, and some hosts set higher prices for those dates. Book early for December, and read the cancellation terms before you pay.
What extra costs should I budget for?
Plan for any cleaning fee, a refundable caution deposit, any payment fee, and extras such as breakfast, laundry or an airport pick-up. On a long stay, ask whether diesel or electricity top-ups are included. Add your daily rides too.
Who pays the payment fee when I book on Cabans?
You do, as the guest. You pay securely online through Paystack, and Paystack’s payment fee is added and shown before you pay, so you see the full amount first. That fee is not refunded.
Related guides
What is a serviced apartment? · How much is a shortlet in Lagos? · Serviced apartment vs hotel · Monthly shortlet or rent a flat? · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · Serviced apartment prices in Abuja
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