Extended Stay 101

If you’ve ever stayed in accommodation for longer than a typical hotel stay, often for several weeks or even months, you’ve successfully completed an ‘extended stay’. Extended stay accommodations are designed to provide a more homelike environment with amenities suited for longer stays, such as kitchenettes or full kitchens, laundry facilities, and separate living and sleeping areas.

Extended stays offer individuals or families a temporary living space that bridges the gap between short-term hotel stays and long-term apartment rentals. It is especially popular among business travellers, relocating professionals, medical patients, and vacationers seeking a home-away-from-home experience.

Extended stay lodging gained popularity in the United States during the late 1970s. The concept emerged as a response to the growing demand for temporary accommodations that offered more space and amenities than traditional hotels but were more affordable than apartment rentals. Extended stay hotels and serviced apartments began to proliferate, catering to the needs of travellers requiring longer-term stays.

Extended stay accommodations are known by various terms, including Extended Stay Hotels, Serviced Apartments, Temporary Accommodation, or Long Stay. 

Why an Extended Stay over a Traditional Rental?

1. Extended stays offer greater flexibility in terms of lease length, allowing guests to book accommodations for the exact duration they require without being tied down to long-term contracts. Traditional rentals often require tenants to commit to a fixed lease term, providing less flexibility for those with uncertain or short-term housing needs.
   
   

2. They are specifically designed to cater to the needs of guests staying for longer periods, offering amenities such as fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, laundry facilities, separate living and sleeping areas, and additional services like housekeeping. Traditional rentals may vary in terms of amenities provided, but they typically offer standard features like kitchen appliances, bathrooms, and living spaces. However, they may not always include additional services like housekeeping or utility provisions.
   
   

3. Extended stay accommodations often provide more cost-effective options compared to traditional rentals, especially for shorter stays, as they typically include utilities, internet access, and other amenities in the rental price. Traditional rentals may require tenants to pay separate utility bills and other expenses on top of the monthly rent, potentially making them more expensive for short-term stays.
   
   

4. Long stays are often utilised by travellers, relocating professionals, medical patients, or individuals in transition who require temporary housing for work, education, medical treatment, or leisure. Traditional rentals are typically sought by individuals or families looking for more permanent housing solutions, such as long-term residents or those establishing roots in a particular area.

Overall, while both extended stays and traditional rentals provide housing solutions, they cater to different needs and preferences, with extended stays offering more flexibility and amenities tailored to shorter-term stays, while traditional rentals offer stability and permanence for longer-term residents.

Is an extended stay right for me?

Booking an extended stay accommodation is a prudent choice for various reasons, primarily catering to individuals or families facing transitional periods or temporary living needs. 

Choose an extended stay for:

1. Work-related travel, where professionals may find themselves away from home for an extended period due to business assignments, training programs, or project-based work. 

2. Moving house, to bridge the gap between someone selling their current home and finalising the purchase or lease of a new one. This flexibility allows for a smooth transition without the pressure of adhering to rigid lease terms.

3. Taking a break from commitments, take some time out to recharge and explore new locations. Take as much time as you need. 

4. Travelling to a new location as an international student can be hard. Being there for one semester means it can be difficult to find short-term accommodation. The flexibility means you can choose exactly how long you want to stay.

5. If your loved one is undergoing treatment in a hospital that is not near you, but you’d like to be nearby. This may be ongoing for several months. 

Booking and Extended Stay: Directly with the property Vs Using an Agent 

Booking directly with the property can sometimes feel like the best way to go - a dedicated site just for the property you’re looking at, and a feeling of negotiation power when dealing directly with the source. However, booking directly can come with restrictions. Each property operator will have their own cancellation and booking policies, some stricter than others.

Pros:
1. Easily contact the property directly with questions regarding your experience and stay
2. View more detailed information regarding the brand you are booking with, their purpose, and story 

Cons:
1. Only able to compare properties from one business, limiting your options.
2. Response times can sometimes be slow, which can prevent you booking your stay in time.

Booking with an agency may feel like one step further away from where you need to be, but in reality is the easiest and most reliable way to book an extended stay. 

Pros:
1. Agency platforms are easy to use and give you a wide range of properties that match your requirements, whether it be budget, location, or spec.
2. Offer one universal booking and payment policy, with a dedicated support team for questions or concerns at any stage of the process.

Cons:
1. Choosing the wrong agency can be a big mistake, as you need to ensure they will look after you every step of the way.
2. If the agency does not have instant booking or online payments, someone may take the last available room by booking directly with the property.

We have listed some agencies that are useful for extended stays below:
1. Airbnb - although known for weekends away, Airbnb does allow long stay bookings. However, hosts have been known to charge the same short-stay rates for longer bookings, meaning you don’t receive a discount for a longer term stay. Furthermore, Airbnb requires you to pay every 20 days, whereas other agencies give you 30 days.
2. SilverDoor - great for corporate travel with a strong coverage of options worldwide. However, the full service is only offered to corporates and doesn’t include smaller businesses in a location that offer a few properties only.
3. Livinc - targeting corporates, leisure, and relocators, Livinc offers a solution for all types of travellers seeking extended stays. With instant booking available to all, and a range of properties from a chic central apartment to a big block of serviced apartments, Livinc makes the process easy.

What to Look for When Booking an Extended Stay

For your upcoming extended stay you need to ensure a comfortable stay with everything you need to continue life as normal. You need to make sure you have enough room for the amount of people, enough storage for your belongings. If you’re relocating you’ll need more storage. These can include a fully-furnished kitchen, work station, garden etc.

Does your extended stay offer more than just the property? Finding added value in your stay with access to a gym, free parking, dining-options and other amenities. 

Do you need somewhere that is pet friendly? You don’t need the added cost of rehoming your furry friend separately which can be very expensive for an extended time period. You want them to be able to stay with you. Many properties accept pets for a small added fee to cover extra cleaning expenses. 

Location is key. Do you like getting out and exploring, or do you enjoy walks on your lunch break. You want to make sure your property isn’t far from public transport or your local green space. Only a short walk away from your local high street with shops, bars and restaurants to explore. 

You want to make sure you’ll enjoy living in your new home for your extended stay.

How-to-guide: Booking an Extended Stay in London with Livinc

Let’s say you’re a couple in your late twenties who have recently bought a home, but his house won’t be ready for six months. While you’ve bought the house in the outskirts of London, you want to live out your dream of living in Central London until your house is ready. How would you go about booking this? 

After doing your research on agencies and properties you have decided to book with Livinc. They offer a hassle free service where all your bills are included, properties are fully-furnished and flexible leases are available. If there are any delays to your house completion you have the ability to extend your tenancy, subject to availability. 

1. Your first step is using the website to shortlist a property, using the handy map feature to ensure it’s in the right location for you. You want to look at what’s around the property, is this the right location? How long will it take you to get to work? Where’s the closest supermarket? Can you join a gym nearby?
   
   

2. Once you’ve shortlisted your exact location and you can see the properties that are available, it’s time to delve into them. You can look at the number of bedrooms required, does your budget allow for just one or could you stretch to two for the extra space. Do any of them have parking available? Do they have outdoor space? When looking you may sometimes need to compromise on certain aspects, but overall you want a space where you’ll be comfortable and able to settle. 

Here are some example properties - 

Bow Lane Apartments: Located in the heart of Bank, one of the business capitals of London, these apartments are perfect for business travellers, as well as leisure, looking to stay where the action is. These apartments are designed with a very modern taste . Of course, they come fully equipped, with everything you may need. The local scenery is exquisite, with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from whether its a lunch meeting with a client, or a get- together with friends. Studios, one and two-bedroom available with prices starting from £200 per night.

Shard View Apartments: These Luxury apartments are set within a beautiful old red brick building within an original clock tower. The inside has been completely renovated to provide open space, luxurious ambiance, and brand new top of the line luxury amenities throughout. Within close proximity you will find The Monument which commemorates the Great Fire of London, London Bridge which overlooks the River Thames and Tower Bridge, and popular Borough Market. One and two-bedroom apartments available, along with a luxurious penthouse. Prices start from £230 per night.

Southwark: A stunning two bedroom apartment in the heart of all the action in central London. In one of the most sought after areas and incredibly close to London Bridge. With modern furnishings included a fully-fitted kitchen with everything you need to make yourself at home. The perfect place to set up a base. Prices start from £4000 per month. 

Byward House Aparthotel: A charming 1900s building boasting stunning views of the Tower of London, Byward House Aparthotel luxury and contemporary studios and apartments provide the perfect base in central London. A contemporary living space with views across the city, featuring an elegant bedroom, luxury bathroom, workspace and a fully equipped kitchen. Prices start from £215 per night. 

3. Once you have picked a few properties it's time to enquire. The Livinc Agents will be on hand to discuss availability and send you quotes for your chosen properties. They are able to answer any questions you have regarding the property. You’ll be able to then choose the property that works for you.

4. Pay for the first 30 days, and then pay monthly. It’s as simple as that. You’re now set to go, and all that’s left is to move-in to your new place and focus on the things that really matter.