Whether you’re going on an extended vacation or a long work trip, if you plan on being away from your home for several weeks or months, you want to live comfortably during that time. While most accommodations for travelers are designed to be convenient, they don’t necessarily offer a comfortable, private stay. We’re looking at the “home qualities” of common travel accommodations to help you choose the right option for your next trip.
What Makes a Temporary Stay Feel Like Home?
First, what makes an accommodation feel like home? While the definition of home varies from person to person, there are some factors that are universal. Most of us think of a place that’s ours – a personal space where we can take care of our needs like cooking, laundry, and exercising as well as entertaining and unwinding. We want a space where our pets are welcome and where we feel secure. Basically, we want all the comforts of home away from home!
However, because this is a temporary stay of several weeks or months, you also need convenience features. After all, you don’t want the hassles of hooking up utilities or signing a lease when you’re only going to be at a place for a short time, so we’re also going to look at the convenience factor of each accommodation option.
Staying in a Hotel for an Extended Stay
When most people are traveling, they immediately consider a hotel to live in, even for several weeks, but does a hotel provide the home factor you’re looking for?
Comfort
While a hotel offers amenities onsite like a pool and a gym, they aren’t really designed for an extended stay. With simple furnishings and tight floor plans, staying at a hotel is very limiting. Consider these factors:
- Inability to cook beyond using a microwave
- No personalization of space
- No private spaces for having company
- Not pet-friendly
- Loud noises from neighbors and minimal privacy
Convenience
On the surface, a hotel is very convenient – you check in when you arrive and check out when you leave. Plus, they are professionally cleaned when you check in and there’s housekeeping, cable, and wifi, as well as maintenance if anything breaks down. On the other hand, you have to rely on takeout for nearly all your meals and a laundromat for your laundry which gets very exhausting after a while.
Cost
Hotels are designed for short-term stays and are priced for this option. While they may offer a discount for several days, staying in a hotel for several weeks or months will be incredibly cost-prohibitive, especially when you factor in takeout and laundry costs.
Long-Term Stays in an AirBnB
AirBnB or another home-share service seems like an excellent option for a long-term stay. After all, you’re literally staying in a home or an apartment! But is an AirBnB going to have the features that allow you to feel like you’re coming home at the end of the day?
Comfort
Because you can choose the features you need, such as renting a single room, an apartment, or a house as well as narrow down the amenities you need, you should get a more comfortable experience. Consider these factors of an AirBnB before making that choice:
- Renting a whole apartment or house provides privacy and space;
- Fully furnished with everything you need;
- Most are not pet-friendly;
- Few to no amenities like a gym or pool;
The biggest concern is there is little to no oversight with these services. You’re making a decision based on pictures and descriptions provided to you by the owner and any available reviews. You don’t know if the space has been properly cleaned or well-kept, and if the accommodations aren’t acceptable, you’re limited in your options, which could be a nightmare for a long-term stay.
Convenience
Home-sharing services are generally very convenient. There’s no need for any lease or utility connections, a full kitchen allows you to cook at home, and some may have washer and dryer connections. Again, you do run the risk of having a property owner who doesn’t clean or maintain the property and may not be available in the event you need maintenance.
Cost
Many of the options do include a long-term stay discount, which reduces the cost and makes it less expensive than a hotel. However, you’ll want to look at any cleaning fees or administrative costs as well as any wi-fi or cable you may need to pay for during your stay.
Choosing a Furnished Apartment for Your Extended Trip
Corporate apartments, also called short-term apartments are private apartments that are fully furnished and designed for people who are staying in a location for at least 30 days.
Comfort
At Corporate Accommodations, our guests have the following features and amenities that provide the home away from home experience they’re looking for.
- Fully furnished, private apartments;
- Full kitchens and separate bedrooms;
- Pet friendly;
- Amenities including pool and gym;
- Separate living spaces for entertaining.
Convenience
Additionally, renting a furnished apartment has the convenience factors you’re looking for.
- No need for a lease
- All utilities, including cable and wi-fi are included in the monthly fee.
- Private washer and dryer so you can easily do your laundry from the comfort of home.
- All apartments are professionally cleaned and sanitized, from the surfaces and furnishings to linens and cookware.
- Housekeeping services are available.
- 24-hour maintenance.
Cost
Renting a corporate apartment is often the most cost-effective option because there is one monthly rent for everything. Because you can cook and do laundry at home, you’re not running into incidental costs, either.
Reserve Your Home Away from Home with Corporate Accommodations
If you’re going to be in North Carolina for an extended trip, reserve your apartment with us! We have a wide variety of temporary apartments available in several cities, including Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Chapel Hill. To learn more about our short-term rentals, call us at 336-299-1312 or fill out the contact form below to get started.