Can you actually live in a hotel?

Did you know that a famous French designer lived at the Ritz Hotel in Paris for 37 years? Or that the Chelsea Hotel in New York City was the chosen home to some of the most famous musicians and writers of all time? So yes, you can live in a hotel. And many have. Perhaps the more relevant question is, would you want to?

Personally, I have toyed with the idea of staying in a hotel forever. After all, there are lots of reasons why it sounds like a dream. (Daily room service and cleaning immediately come to mind.) But questions persist. What are the implications of living in a hotel long-term? Would you get tired of this lifestyle? Here are the answers.

How long can you live in a hotel?

If you’re considering an extended stay in a hotel, it’s essential to check not only the hotel’s policies but also local regulations. In states like California and Texas, for example, if you stay in the same hotel or motel for more than 30 consecutive days, you may get tenant status, which can enhance your legal rights.

Can you live in a motel?

Just as you can live in some hotels, you can also live in some motels, as long as the state or city allows it. Many offer discounts for month-to-month stays over the daily rate. While this makes it more affordable, it can still be more expensive than renting an apartment in many places.

What’s the difference between short-term, extended, and long-term stays?

How long you stay in a hotel can affect everything from the price you pay to the facilities and amenities your room offers.

• Short-term stays typically last from a night to a few days. This is the most common type of hotel stay, mostly for people on vacation or business trips.
• Extended stays usually last a few weeks and are commonly referred to as stays of more than 20 days. Hotels catering to extended stays usually provide more amenities than the standard room offers, like kitchens and laundry access. These are common for people away for longer periods for work, visiting an area for a longer time, or moving to a new area and looking for longer-term accommodation.
• Long-term stays offer the same amenities as extended stays, but are for guests looking to stay even longer, potentially months.

Is it legal to live in a hotel?

Yes, it is legal to live in a hotel, as long as you pay your bills. That said, there are a few things to be mindful of:

• In some states, stays over a certain length (for example, 30 days in California) may mean you’re considered a tenant rather than a guest. This can affect things like your tax payments.
• You’ll be subject to the same rules as you would for an extended stay anywhere, such as having the right visa for the country.
• Also, be aware that some hotels may require a deposit if you’re a long-term guest in the same way a landlord does.

Pros of living in a hotel

There are many perks to staying at hotels long term.

• Say goodbye to cleaning. Housekeeping typically cleans your room daily or weekly. If this is super important to you, check with the hotel first to see what their policy is. For some extended and long-term stays, cleaning may be intermittent or need to be booked in.
• Security and simplicity. Lost your key? No problem, you can pick another one up at reception. Usually manned 24/7, it also means your ‘home’ is always looked after.
• Awesome amenities. Hotels typically offer the basics like kettles and coffee makers, but many also have fitness and business centers, swimming pools, and spas.
• On-site restaurants. Long stays often mean your room will have a kitchenette. But for occasional dining out, having a hotel restaurant to use when you want is a lovely bonus. Especially at breakfast!
• No more utilities bills. Gas, water and electric bills are covered by the hotel, saving you money and admin.
• Cost-effective tax. A room can also be cost-effective for longer stays, as hotels often drop the nightly price for longer bookings. Some states, like Texas, will exempt you from paying hotel occupancy tax on stays over 30 days.
• Freedom to leave. Unlike having a mortgage or long-term rental commitment, hotel stays give you the freedom to get up and go whenever you want.

Cons of living in a hotel

Living in a hotel isn’t all room service and clean bedding, though – otherwise, we’d all do it.

• Privacy isn’t paramount. Hotels are busy places with people continually coming and going. Constantly changing guests mean you’re more likely to encounter noisy or unfriendly neighbors. In this case, my advice is to check the room is up to your sleeping standards for a night or two before you commit to anything long-term.
• Your rights are more limited. A hotel room is just that – it’s not your home. You’ll have no rights as an owner or tenant and you can be ejected at short notice. You can’t decorate or change things to suit your own tastes.
• You won’t have a permanent address. That means no postal address or reference address should you need it. You may need to set up a P.O. Box or similar.
• Space is limited. Unless you’re rich enough to take out a suite, space will be at a premium. If you have furniture or other stuff, you may need to pay for storage.
• It’s probably more expensive. In many places, staying in a hotel is more expensive than house-sharing or renting an apartment to achieve a decent standard of living. Hidden resort fees or taxes may also be factored in, and you’ll pay for all the hotel services and amenities, whether you use them or not.

Tips for happy hotel living

Alongside the pros and cons, there are some simple steps you can take to make life in a hotel more convenient and comfortable.

• Organize and personalize. It may not strictly be your space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like home. First of all – unpack! This isn’t a two-nighter, so make the most of the closet space. While you can’t replace the furniture, you can complement it with your own things. Blankets, plants, photos and the like can transform a hotel room into a home in no time.
• Be respectful and communicative. You’ll likely be seeing the same hotel staff daily so it’s worth taking the time to say hello and chat to them. Getting on their right side could make your stay much smoother and more comfortable. Equally, be polite and friendly to your fellow guests – they have as much right to be there as you do, even if they’re only there a night or two. And keep the noise down!
• Make the most of the facilities. If your hotel has great facilities like a pool or spa and handy services like laundry included, make the most of them. You’re already paying for them after all.
• Join a rewards scheme. Some of the major hotel chains have loyalty programs that reward guests with discounts, free stays and other perks.
• Earn added perks. Paying your hotel bills isn’t like paying rent, so you’ll likely use a credit card or similar. Get a card with a reward scheme like air or hotel miles. You’ll be amazed how quickly the bonuses can add up.

How much does it cost to live in a hotel?

While it depends entirely on where you stay, long-term hotel stays can be quite expensive.

The hotel price doesn’t take into account any extras, such as room service, and doesn’t factor in potential discounts for long-term stays. Equally, it doesn’t account for amenities like swimming pools and fitness centers that you’d have to pay for if renting your own place (unless they come included with it.)

Note: hotel pricing is based on a nightly price of $231.86 multiplied by 30, the average number of days in a month over the course of one year.

Hotel chains that offer long-term stays

While plenty of independent hotels offer long-term stays, several of the major chains have dedicated programs designed specifically to cater to long-stay guests. A great benefit of these is that you can often move and choose between the chain’s hotels in different locations around the world.

Hilton

Hilton actually has several brands that focus on long-stay guests located in hotels around the world. Its Hotel Residences brand blends luxury hotels with long-term living, while its Homewood Suites brand offers rooms with full-size kitchens, free breakfasts and access to all amenities. Lastly, Home2 Suites by Hilton offers one-bedroom rooms and suites with kitchenettes, work spaces and free breakfast. You can even bring your pet!

IHG

The IHG long-stay brands incorporate the Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites across more than 400 hotels. Properties include standard additions like kitchens and storage space but also some nice extras. Staybridge Suites offer free breakfasts and day time snacks, as well as happy hours some days of the week. Candlewood Suite properties also feature a 24-hour convenience store called the Candlewood Cupboard in case you run out of essentials.

Marriott

Marriott also has a huge range of residence-based hotel brands with more than a thousand properties covering all four corners of the globe. The Marriott Executive Apartments are at the top end of the market with everything from studios to three-bed serviced apartments with kitchens, gyms and business centers.

Next come TownePlace Suites by Marriott with kitchens, laundry and business facilities and free breakfasts. Then we have Residence Inn by Marriott, which focuses on simple comfort with roomy suites, outdoor access, fitness centers and free breakfasts.

Radisson

Radisson’s serviced apartments are spread across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with a few properties scattered across Asia. From suites to two-bed apartments, each comes with a kitchen, lots of space and leisure facilities.

Alternatives to hotel living

Hotel living isn’t the only way to extend your stay. There are serviced apartments you can rent monthly, vacation rentals, and co-living spaces to consider.

A vacation rental might be more cost-effective than staying at a hotel. A great way to choose the best option is to lay out the pros and cons on a spreadsheet. Not only can you see which is most cost-effective but you can also check which best meets your lifestyle needs.

Serviced apartments can also be much cheaper than hotels. Tailored for long-term living, their nightly rates are usually lower than hotels’, and they often include things like laundry facilities, which most hotels charge for.

Conclusion

There are many positive reasons to live in a hotel. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that everything is done for you, that the rooms will be clean, and that you have access to reliable, dependable staff and security. On the other hand, hotels are rarely the cheapest or most cost-effective way to live long-term. And no matter how hard you try, they’ll never really feel like home.

But if you’re a full-time traveler or one of the new wave of digital nomads living life on the road, there’s never been a better time to live your life out of a suitcase and in a hotel. For that, KAYAK can help you plan, book and save some great long-term stays, with handy Price Alerts and Wishlists – all available on the KAYAK app.

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