Extended Stay Hotels

Extended Stay Hotels, sometimes referred to as corporate or long term housing, are a popular choice for both business travelers, as well as families or individuals who want a relaxing place to stay when away from home. This type of lodging is not always the first thought people have when looking at hotels, however, the advantages of extended stay hotels should not be underestimated.

So what are the advantages? Actually, there are many! Extended stay hotels are set up for persons who want the comforts of home when traveling for business or pleasure.

These are some of the features you might find in an extended stay:

• full kitchen set-up or kitchenette
  
• living room
  
• separate bedroom with closet, phone, t.v.
  
• washer/dryer on site or laundry service
• free breakfast buffet and free evening manager's get-togethers
  
• daily maid service
  
• grocery shopping service
• fitness center or workout room
  
• pets are usually welcome
• internet access

In addition, many extended stays offer loyalty programs where your longer stays can reap big rewards for future stays. To use the rewards, you might not even have to stay at another extended stay hotel, just a hotel within the same family of hotels. A good example of this would be a situation where you earn hotel rewards staying at the Residence Inn, but use your earned points to stay at any Marriott hotel (check the fine print).

Here are some extended stay hotel chains for you to consider. Notice that many of them have the word "suites" in the name which is indicative of extended stay hotels.

• Ayers
• Candlewood Suites
  
• Clarion Suites
  
• Comfort Suites
• DoubleTree Guest Suites
  
• Embassy Suites
  
• Extended Stay America
• Hawthorn Suites
  
• Hilton Suites
• Hyatt Summerfield Suites
  
• InnSuites (Best Western)
• InTown Suites
• Larkspur Landing
• Mainstay Suites
• Oxford Suites
• Residence Inn (Marriott)
  
• Springhill Suites (Marriott)
  
• Sheraton Suites
• Staybridge Suites
• Suitehotel
• Travelodge Suites
  
• Woodbridge Suites

Some of these places require a minimum stay while others are fine if you just want to stay for one night. Extended stays can be found in both cities and suburbs so consider location when deciding which hotel will be most convenient for you and close to the areas you will be visiting. It is important to note however, that most extended stays are not located right in the thick of the action. If you want to let loose on your stay and want amenities like bars and restaurants within the hotel, then the long term hotels might not be the best choice.

Another option to consider is staying in a rented condo or vacation home. Some of these can be rented for as small a time frame as just one night, yet you still get the advantages of staying in more of a home-type atmosphere, rather than just a bare bones hotel room.

Perhaps you're wondering if staying at an extended stay is going to be more expensive than a hotel room of the same quality. Actually, extended stays are priced competitively with hotels, you just get more amenities for your buck. So, next time you hit the road, for either business or pleaure, solo or with family and friends, consider staying at an extended stay hotel and enjoy all the comforts of home.