What is an extended stay hotel?
An extended stay hotel can be a lodging option that combines the best of two worlds for guests, offering the consistency of a home and the amenities of a hotel.
For hoteliers, guests that opt for extended stays provide a powerful source of bookings and revenue. A single long-term room booking means you can focus your efforts on providing an incredible, more tailored experience, instead of having to juggle multiple short-term guests over the course of weeks or months.
But how do you attract the kind of guest that is willing to invest such a significant amount of time and cost into a single hotel? In this blog we’ll delve into how you can set up your business to succeed in this increasingly valuable – and rapidly more competitive – space.
Table of contents
Why are guests choosing long term stay hotels?
The modern traveller is looking for more than just a room; they’re seeking a holistic living experience. By offering amenities like fully-equipped kitchens, workspaces, and communal areas, you’re not just providing a place to stay; you’re offering a lifestyle. This is especially appealing to long-term business travellers, digital nomads, and families who prefer the comforts of home alongside the luxury of hotel services.
How long can you stay in an extended stay hotel?
For hoteliers, the extended stay hotel model offers unparalleled flexibility in accommodating guests. Unlike traditional hotels that often focus on short-term stays, your extended stay hotel can host guests for a week, a month, or even up to a year.
Best extended stay hotel chains
The market is brimming with options, but some chains stand out for their exceptional service and value for money. These include:
- Homestead Suites: A pioneer in the extended stay sector, offering spacious suites and top-notch amenities.
- Candlewood Suites: Known for its fully-equipped kitchens, making long stays comfortable.
- TownePlace Suites: Offers a community vibe with its common areas and group activities.
- Staybridge Suites: A luxury option with a focus on business travellers.
- Residence Inn: Offers a variety of room types, catering to both families and solo travellers.
Cheap extended stay hotels
Cost is a common concern for guests intending on long-term stays. A common question is “how much are extended stay hotels per month?”. Some cheap long term stay hotels to take inspiration from include:
- Red Roof Inn
- Extended Stay America
- Woodspring Suites
- InTown Suites
- HomeTowne Studios
Cheap extended stay motels
Extended stay motels are common across the world, particularly in the United States, often seen as one of the best options for guests trying to cut their costs on accommodation. Some common options include:
- Motel 6
- Super 8
- America’s Best Value Inn
- Quality Inn
- Days Inn
How do extended stay hotels work?
Booking a long stay hotel is as straightforward as booking a regular hotel room. The guest can book directly through a hotel website or through an online travel agent, typically simply selecting a different number of days or, in the case of special offers, going through a dedicated booking process.
For hoteliers, you may be asking about what is provided in an extended stay hotel as opposed to a short-term stay hotel, beyond a longer stay. The main difference lies in the amenities and services tailored for long-term guests.
Amenities that extended stay hotels offer
- Wifi and internet: Enables guests to stay connected without a hitch.
- TV: Entertainment at guest fingertips.
- On-site laundry: For guest convenience.
- Kitchens: Allow the guests to cook their own meals.
- Facilities: Gyms, pools, and more.
- Meeting rooms: For the business traveller.
Benefits of offering an extended stay in your hotel
For hoteliers, offering extended stays isn’t just a trend; it’s a strategic move with multiple benefits.
Steady revenue stream
Long-term guests mean a consistent income, reducing the stress of seasonal fluctuations.
Low turnover cost
Less frequent check-ins and check-outs translate to lower operational costs.
Reduced marketing cost
Happy long-term guests often become advocates, reducing the need for extensive marketing to secure more sales.
Stable occupancy rate
Extended stays help maintain a stable occupancy rate, particularly during the middle of the week and slow seasons, making resource planning easier.
Ancillary revenue from facilities
Long-term guests are more likely to use additional facilities, adding another revenue stream.
Loyal customer base
Extended stays often lead to repeat bookings, building a loyal customer base.
Converting guests to long term stay hotels
Turning day-trippers into long-term guests might just require a small nudge:
1. Offer experiences built on the local environment
To entice guests into extending their stay, hotels must offer a compelling blend of home-like comforts and unique local experiences. Whether targeting business or leisure travellers, it’s crucial to align amenities and promotions with what originally drew visitors to the destination.
2. Revive the spirit of a traditional hotel stay
In the past, hotels served as social hubs where travellers could connect and share experiences, and today’s hotels need to offer more than just a comfortable bed to attract guests. To entice travellers, modern hotels should focus on creating social spaces, offering authentic local experiences, and collaborating with local businesses for unique overnight or long-term packages.
3. Be as visible as possible
In today’s fast-paced world, the majority of travellers are opting for shorter, action-packed weekend getaways due to limited time and budget constraints. To tap into the diminishing number of guests interested in long-term stays, it’s more important than ever for hotels to leverage channel managers to connect with a wide range of travel vendors, ensuring real-time room availability and maximising reach.
Similarly, with more guests than ever relying on mobile devices to book their travel – long term or otherwise – you must ensure that your website and booking engine are mobile friendly, or risk losing out to more responsive competitors.
Get the most out of extended stays at your hotel and increase revenue with SiteMinder
SiteMinder, with its cutting-edge booking engine, offers a seamless platform tailored to the unique needs of extended stay hotels.
- Maximise your revenue with real-time data analytics. Tailor special offers and packages for extended stay guests based on real-time insights.
- Streamline operations with an intuitive user interface. Easily manage long-term bookings and associated amenities through a single dashboard.
- Enhance guest experience with personalised services. Use guest data to offer customised services that make extended stays more comfortable and enjoyable.
SiteMinder is the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of your hotel. SiteMinder gives hoteliers the most power, unrivalled performance, and the best user experience managing their hotel all in one place.
Get started for free or watch a demo to learn more.