What is an Extended Stay?

What is an extended stay? See our informative resource to see if this is an option for you while you travel or relocate.

In both extended-stay hotels and extended stay apartments, you’ll find a blend of a hotel-meets-vacation-rental. These lodging locations are popular among business and leisure travelers, but exactly what is an extended stay, and what does it include?

Grab a cup of coffee, find a comfy chair, and let’s dive into our informative extended-stay resource. At this end of this article, you’ll know whether this is the right option for you while traveling or relocating.

Extended Stay Hotels

Extended stay hotels offer long-term hotels stays for relocation, family vacation, and business. You’ll find a selection of them across the country, but what is an extended stay at a hotel like? They’re all home to similar amenities, though the properties vary slightly between the hotel chains.

Here are some of the most popular choices for long-term hotel stays in the United States.

Stay America

Stay America, owned by ESH hospitality, is a well-known brand for extended hotel stays. They have hundreds of hotels around the United States and offer perks like a full-size fridge, free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry facilities, and flat-screen TVs. They also host a free grab-and-go breakfast and offer pet-friendly accommodations.

SpringHill Suites

SpringHill Suites is operated by Marriott International. They’re a popular extended hotel option, as the chain is composed of all-suite hotels. With separate areas for working and relaxing, guests have space to spread out and get comfortable. They’re also known to offer free breakfast (a nice perk when you’re running late to your next meeting).

Home2 Suites

Looking for a hotel with nice amenities? Home2 Suites is the Hilton hotel chain version of an extended stay hotel. Like SpringHill Suites, it’s an all-suite hotel with various amenities. You’ll find fitness centers, laundry, and in-suite kitchens (featuring full-size appliances). They also boast the unique addition of saltwater pools at their properties. If you’re staying here and wondering how to pack for a long trip, make sure to bring your bathing suit.

Extended Stay Apartments

Now that we’ve covered what is a long term rental in hotel terms let’s take a look at extended-stay apartments. From Airbnb to Zeus Living, extended stay apartments have grown increasingly popular in recent years.

Here are a handful of amenities that temporary, extended stay apartments offer:

Flexibility

There are dozens of reasons why individuals and families may opt for temporary housing. One reason is that it offers flexibility. Maybe you’re on assignment for a job or looking for a new career in a different field. You may be relocating so your children can have better access to schools or so you can be near family. In many of these cases, you need a short-term solution. The flexibility of extended apartment stays is what draws many people in. If your work assignment is extended or you need more time finding your permanent home, all you have to do is extend your stay (as long as it’s not already booked). Lots of people ask how long can you stay at extended stay, and a lot of that has to do with your particular lease. As we like to say, it’s always a good idea to ask!

Comfort

Hotels are fun and exciting, but they don’t offer the true comfort of a home for some of us. With extended stay apartment rentals, you can have some of the perks of a hotel and the warm, cozy feelings of being at home. Cook a meal in your full-sized kitchen, settle into a bubble bath and relax in your just-washed linens. Yes, you can do these things in an extended stay hotel, too, but an extended stay apartment will give you that little bit of extra comfort and feelings of being at home.

Affordability

You may be surprised to hear just how affordable extended stay apartment rentals are compared to their hotel counterparts. Often, you’re getting premium amenities, like top-rated mattresses, quality linens, and in-unit washer dryers. But these things don’t come with a premium price tag. With extended stay apartments, especially if you’re receiving a long term discount, you’re typically getting more bang for your buck.

Extended Stays with Zeus

So, the real burning question is, what is an extended stay like with Zeus Living? Zeus gives a unique twist to extended-stay apartments. Our homes are professionally designed and come fully (and thoughtfully) furnished. We ask for a minimum 1-month commitment from our guests and in turn, offer you a home-away-from-home. We’re popular among people traveling for work, though we also host families and folks who just want an extended stay somewhere new.

Here’s a little of what we offer to our Zeus guests:

  • Safety: We maintain the highest of hygiene standards, with inspections between each stay.
  • WiFi: Utilities are included with your stay, including 100 Mbps WiFi and HD TV.
  • Equipped: Homes come standard with kitchen basics, top-rated mattresses, premium linens, and either in-unit or in-building washer and dryers.

With Zeus, we like to think that what you see is what you get. You can find your extended stay rental quickly and see real photos, 3D tours, and floor plans to help you book with confidence. Our digital leases protect your rights as a tenant in each of the markets we serve and even allow you to pay your rent online. You can even check into your home with a smart lock and code or a lockbox with keys.

Next time someone asks what is long term rental like with Zeus, we want our guests to say it’s easy, flexible, and feels like home.

Other Terms for Extended Stay

If we cover what is an extended stay, we may as well cover all the other terms it goes by, like long-term let, temporary housing, and executive apartments. These terms all share crossovers in their meanings but, in general, each one refers to inhabiting a place that’s not permanently “home.” Of course, when various amenities are offered (like an in-unit washer dryer, indoor pool, or state-of-the-art fitness center) you may be inclined to make it your permanent residence. Becoming familiar with these terms will help to fine-tune what is temporary housing and whether it’s a fit for you.

Corporate Housing

Corporate housing, also called short-term housing, usually involves renting a furnished apartment, condo, or home. Corporate housing is used by everyone, from military personnel to government employees. Although it may conjure visions strictly of solo business travelers, it’s often used by families who are relocating or have been displaced due to an emergency or job change.

Long-term Let

If you’ve heard the term, you may be asking, what does long term let mean? A long-term let is typically a year or more. For landlords, this offers a steady stream of relatively passive income without tenants moving in and out. One of the questions to ask when renting an apartment long-term is whether you can extend your lease once it’s through. During a long-term let, for example, you may wish to stay longer than a year (and it’s best to know if this is a potential possibility before you even sign the lease).

Short-term Housing

Short-term housing, or short-term let, usually refers to a stay that is under six months. This can range anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or months. Short-term housing is often occupied by vacationers or business travelers.

Temporary Housing

Temporary housing refers to any number of temporary living solutions. It includes hotels, extended stay hotels, and vacation rentals.

Executive Apartments

When discussing what is long term rental, you’ll sometimes hear the term executive apartments. These are no different than corporate housing accommodations and can be found as furnished residential apartments, houses, or condos.

Turn-Key Rental

Turn key rental is a term used to describe a renovated home or apartment. These are purchased by investors or property management companies who then lease them out to tenants, often as extended stays. They’re called a “turn-key rental” as they’re most often ready to be leased out upon purchase.

From terms like turn key to short term to extended stay, now that you’re more familiar with what is long term rental, you can find the place that suits your tastes.

And, if you find yourself searching for more information on what is a long term let or what is temporary housing, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to help inform, guide, and bring you in on all the best-extended stay secrets.