Most travelers just need a hotel for a few nights, but others need accommodations for an unpredictable amount of time. If you are a traveler who wants the amenities of an apartment without signing a lease, than an extended stay hotel may fit the bill. Extended stay hotels are a great standard option for contract workers who need the comfort of a home but who travel too frequently to actually sign a lease and put down roots in any one location. Extended stay hotels are designed to offer long-term accommodations with all of the amenities of an apartment, such as in-suite laundry, kitchens, and some other minor appliances.

Many extended stay hotels offer discounts for those who stay for longer period of time, which is another reason why people are attracted to them. They can also be great options for someone who is moving but has a gap between their current lease and their new lease. If you are forced to move unexpectedly, an extended stay hotel may be the perfect solution to relieve some of the stress of the situation. Like any other type of traditional hotel, there are economy and high-end extended stay hotel brands. Mainstay Suites, Extended Stay America, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Residence Inn, and Home2Suites are all great examples of popular extended stay hotel chains.

At its base, an extended stay hotel should offer a kitchen, free Wifi access, and occasional cleaning service. While you will not get turndown daily like you would in a traditional hotel, most extended stay hotels offer at least once a week cleaning. Within the kitchen, you can expect to find a fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. A nicer extended stay hotel may also offer other kitchen appliances to make your stay easier, such as a Keurig, toaster, and blender.

While the weekly rate for an extended stay hotel may be higher than your rent, there are many perks that people forget to live this way. For instance, if you stay at an extended stay hotel, you don’t have to worry about paying for any utility bills such as water, gas, kitchen, cable, electricity, etc. The only bill you are responsible for is your rent. The longer you stay the lower the rent generally costs as well. In addition, there are no contracts for most extended stay hotels, so how long you end up staying is entirely up to you.