Hotels are a great option for tourists and people on business trips. You can usually find a hotel to stay overnight no matter where you are in the world. But these are usually short-term stays. For vacation, it is unlikely that you’re allowed to take months off from work or school. So, most of us might not be familiar with the idea of long-term stays at a hotel.
But what happens when the time comes, and you have to stay for extended periods at a hotel? Hotels are once again a great option for accommodation. Whether you’ve been assigned a project elsewhere in the world, or you simply want to get away from home for a period.
Read more to find out if you can stay at a hotel for a year, and what you should know before you commit to this plan.
Can you stay at a hotel for a year?
The short answer is Yes, you can stay at a hotel for a year. Hotels are no strangers to guests with long-term accommodation needs. No matter what the reasoning might be.
Especially in the US, guests staying long-term or even full-time at a hotel are usually quite common. In New York City alone, up to 30% of hotel guests are actually long-term occupants or have been living in the hotel. But this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to stay long-term at every hotel.
It all depends on the room availability of the hotel. If you’re thinking to start staying long-term at a hotel during tourist season, hotels might not be too keen on letting you in. As they will want to keep rooms available for any incoming tourists.
This would apply to hotels in tourist hotspots. As well as regions where public conventions and events take place frequently. So, if you’re planning on staying long-term at a hotel, pick an establishment that is out of the way of tourists. Don’t forget to do so out of tourist season as well!
How to look for hotels that offer long-term stays?
To look for hotels that offer long-term stays, you simply need to ask the front desk when you check-in. Even if the staff at the front desk aren’t too familiar with the long-term policies of the hotel, you can ask to speak to the manager or owner about the arrangement.
As we’ve mentioned, most hotels are familiar with receiving requests from guests to stay long-term at their establishment. So, don’t be afraid to ask!
How to negotiate a long-term stay at a hotel?
Those who frequently stay long-term at a hotel will know, the longer you stay, the cheaper the rate for the room. From what we’ve seen, the normal practice is for hotels to offer rooms at half their nightly rate for stays over a month. But of course, this will vary from hotel to hotel. Especially at different locations across the world.
Some hotels will be keen to welcome long-term occupants that offer them a steady flow of revenue. Whilst others might not be so keen. In this case, hotels will usually offer guests less of a discount on nightly rates to shorten their length of stay.
So, feel free to inquire about long-term stays at various hotels before you pick one. It’s best to find a balance between the cheapest rates and the best services and amenities.
Advantages of long-term stays at a hotel
We have compiled a list of advantages to long-term stays at a hotel from testimonies of other travelers. You should know and consider these points before you commit to staying long-term at a hotel.
1) Cheaper than Renting
As we’ve mentioned, you can usually get a discount for staying long-term at a hotel. And you will find that staying long-term at a hotel will help you save on other living expenses.
You won’t have to worry about utility bills when you’re staying at a hotel. As everything will have been covered in the price of renting the room. If the hotel you’re staying at offers complimentary breakfast, you can get free food every day.
And you can save up on breakfast costs during your stay at the hotel. If you chose a hotel close to where you need to be during the day, you can reduce transportation expenses massively.
Don’t worry about having to pay everything up front, or at the end of your stay. Once you’ve explained your situation to the hotel staff, they can arrange a monthly or even weekly payment plan for you. This way you can be even more in control of your living expenses.
2) Reduction on Taxes
From what we’ve read, this only seems to apply to the US. In some states, occupants staying for more than 30 days are allowed to waive their occupancy taxes. After staying for three months, occupants are considered a resident in some US locations.
This means you don’t have to pay lodging taxes anymore. And the hotel will reimburse you the lodging tax you have paid for the last three months.
3) Cleaning Services
Most hotels will clean their rooms daily. So, if you’re staying at a hotel for a long period of time, you can take advantage of their daily cleaning services as well. This is perfect for those who like to keep their living spaces clean but hates doing chores.
For rooms occupied by long-term guests, hotels might change the cleaning frequency. As the same guest will be accessing the room during the long-term period. This can be weekly instead of daily cleaning.
With extra services like taking out the trash once or twice during the week. The reduced frequency of cleaning services can also offer you more comfort and privacy by not disturbing you daily.
4) Hotel Amenities
Frequent travelers will know, hotels usually come with a few amenities at their establishment. All used to attract guests to stay at their hotels. These amenities can be as simple as complimentary breakfasts. Or gyms, pools, in-hotel restaurants, business areas with computers, better internet, and quieter working spaces.
Staying long-term at a hotel means you always get access to these amenities. As they are included in the rate you paid for your room.
5) Flexible Leases
Especially for those traveling for business purposes, flexibility in accommodation is crucial. Staying at a hotel is one of the best options you can have. You are not obliged to sign a contract, and thus be bound by it when you check in. Meaning it doesn’t matter if you need to stay longer than expected. Or if you can leave early.
Negotiate with the manager of the hotel about your circumstances if work is going to keep you in the area for another month or year. Or check out if work is completed earlier than expected.
This way, you don’t have to worry about breaking a lease early. Or having to find other accommodation if your lease cannot be extended.
6) Convenience when Travelling
Living at a hotel allows you to travel with minimal baggage. Either you’ve not brought all your possessions to live at the hotel, or you’re a minimalist when it comes to living. Either way, if your job requires you to travel, living at a hotel can speed up your commute.
Pack a small bag and you can fly back and forth between your destination and hotel with ease.
7) Extra Benefits
There are extra benefits to staying at a hotel for an extended period. Being a frequent occupant means you get to know the staff working at the hotel. This could be beneficial to you in the long term. As staff get to know you personally, they might be willing to go the extra mile for you. This could be additional discounts you can take advantage of during your stay.
If you’re staying long-term at a hotel with a points program, you are guaranteed to earn heaps of points from your stay. This can mean you get to become a high-level member of the hotel after or even during your stay, depending on the length of your occupancy.
Hotel points can be used for many things. From redeeming free nights at the establishment to restaurant vouchers. Which you can take advantage of when you’re staying long-term at a hotel.
Disadvantages to long-term stays at a hotel
Although staying long-term at a hotel sound extremely appealing in terms of cost, convenience, and other offers you might receive, there are a few things you should know.
1) Tourist Season
During the tourist season, you might find the hotel you’re staying at a less appealing and comfortable place. As the hotel becomes busy with tourists, it can get noisy and crowded fast.
2) Dullness
Living at a hotel can be quite dull. As any complimentary catering and services you get will likely be the same every day. And if your hotel is not located in a particularly lively region, there might not be much to do during your off days.
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