YOUR HOME AWAY 
Your new job requires traveling, often for weeks at a time. A family member has fallen ill, and you need to be nearby. Maybe you’re finally taking that family road trip you’ve desired for months.
Life happens – sooner or later you’re going to be away from home.
You could book a hotel, but the rates are expensive. Never mind the small room size and lack of amenities – no kitchen means you’re going to be eating out a lot (and spending money) and not getting the nutrition you need.
A long term stay hotel solves those problems. But not every hotel is the same, even extended stay hotels.
So how do you find the best long term stay hotel? Here’s what to look for.
First, let’s talk about extended stay, or long term stay hotels.
When booking a hotel, the length of one’s stay is determined by the number of nights you plan on staying. There are regular stays, and long term or extended stays.
A regular stay can be an overnight stay (the most common kind) or a short stay. The latter is when a traveler books a hotel room but doesn’t stay overnight. Maybe they are tired and want a hot shower and some sleep – they won’t get that while staying at the airport.
Then there are extended or long term stays. A long term hotel stay is when a traveler requires more than a few overnight stays.
They may be visiting the area for a series of job interviews or scouting local neighborhoods looking for permanent housing. Or they may already be employed, but are working away from home for weeks or months at a time, so they need prolonged lodging.
Long term stays require specific needs. That’s where an extended stay hotel comes in. They can offer comfort and amenities that a traditional hotel can’t offer.
Often extended stay hotels offer discounted rates for staying for extended periods of time. If you are in town for a few weeks or a few months, they can offer you a rate a traditional hotel will not.
Hotels with a long term stay option may offer features an overnight hotel doesn’t offer, but that doesn’t mean any extended stay hotel will do. There are a few key features you’re going to want to look for.
It may be a hotel, but a good extended stay hotel offers apartment-style living. That means when you arrive your room is fully-furnished. Not only are there household essentials like a kitchen with a stove and microwave, but there are additional comforts like a dining table and sofa.
These extra little touches, plus a nice décor and superb cleanliness, means your new room feels like a second home. When you move in, you’re ready to relax in your new space.
A good extended stay hotel should make your move-in process easy. While they may feel like living in an apartment, they require no lease signing, so you only pay for the dates you are actually using the room.
They are also much more affordable than signing a lease – even a short-term lease. Plus, they should make extending your stay easy. A good extended stay hotel will offer flexible rates, often with discounts for weekly or monthly stays.
You can book an extended stay hotel the same as you would a normal hotel, either online or by calling the location.
Does the idea of spending a few weeks away from home in a hotel by yourself seem lonely? Why not bring your pet?
Short stay hotels often don’t allow pets. However, extended stay hotels can make your travel a little less lonely by allowing you to bring your best friend. Plus, they may be located near a park or hiking trails, allowing you and your pet to get some much-needed exercise and time to de-stress.
Finally, the best way to find a good extended stay hotel is to check the reviews. If a hotel has poor reviews or few reviews, proceed with caution.
Be wary of a lot of positive reviews in a short amount of time. A disingenuous business can pay for positive reviews. A recent report indicated that 30% of online customer reviews were fake – and that was just across three retail sites.
Likewise, overly negative reviews can also be fake. Often they will fail to mention any specific issues they had, leading you to wonder what was so terrible about their experience.
A good hotel should have a long history of positive reviews. They should be specific and focus on what’s important – issues like safety, cleanliness, and friendly, helpful staff.
That’s why we are open and honest about our customer reviews and testimonials. We have a long history of happy customers at all of our locations.
Affordable Corporate Suites is your home away from home. Whether you’re traveling to Virginia for work, or just passing through on a family trip, we have multiple locations to serve you. Long term hotel stays don’t have to be expensive, uncomfortable, or inconvenient – not when you choose Affordable Corporate Suites.
Check out our full list of locations and book your stay.