Extended Hotel Stays: A Home Away From Home

There are times in our lives when we might need to spend an extended period of time away from the comfort of our own home. This could be for a variety of reasons - perhaps due to a long work project or an extended vacation where your budget is limited. Maybe you’re embarking on major home improvements which require you to temporarily move out, or perhaps you’re relocating altogether and need accommodation to tide you over whilst looking for a new home.

Whatever the reason for an extended stay, there are a number of accommodation options at your disposal. Some people may be lucky enough to have a friend of family member who can accommodate them with a spare room; and sometimes it’s possible to rent an apartment on a short term lease. However, the most common form of extended stay accommodation is normally found in hotels.

In addition to regular short stay rooms, many hotels also cater to those wishing to stay for longer periods of time. These hotels will offer suites with separate living, dining and sleeping areas, as well as a fully equipped kitchen including all the appliances you would find at home - such as fridge-freezer, microwave oven, cutlery, crockery, ironing board, TV and DVD player, hairdryer and a comfortable and spacious working area.

Some will also offer free local phone calls, a computer data port, personalised voice mail and Wi-Fi high speed internet access from your room. And you’ll be able to take advantage of hotel housekeeping and laundry facilities, as well as the swimming pool, gym, restaurant and bar.

An extended stay in a suite with these facilities will allow you to live as comfortably and conveniently as possible outside of your own home. Extended stay hotels normally offer a special rate for their long term guests. The price usually works out to be somewhere between the cost of a one-bedroom apartment and a high end hotel - so it's an ideal option for long term vacationers and business travellers alike.

Instead of chasing after tourists, some hotels cater purely to long term guests, such as roving workers, relocating employees, business travellers, contractors and consultants. Regions with a large population and mobile workforces in industries such as oil, travel, finance and technology tend to see a higher demand for stays of three nights of more, which has lead to a growth in the extended stay hospitality industry.

So, whatever the reason for your extended stay, you'll be able to find a comfortable and convenient room that will become your temporary home away from home.