by Tonya Kirkpatrick

Created on: August 14, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2009

Extended-stay hotels are on the rise these days. Their owners have come to realize that there is more money to be made in this business rather then just offering a room with a bed. There isn't a whole lot of difference in rates between a extended-stay hotel and nightly rate hotel with just a bed and maybe if you are lucky a microfridge. However there are downsides to them also.

Standard hotels offer what is called a complimentary breakfast bar which offers you a morning meal before hitting the road. Being able to just walk into the lobby and prepare yourself a waffle fresh not the frozen ones or slip a bagel into the toaster and pour yourself a bowl of cereal. Extended Stay hotels however don't offer you this option. But however do have 2 eye burners and a fridge. Some even offer you the option of renting dishes and cookware while you enjoy your stay.

You might find this to be a cheaper expense then a standard hotel who might have a microwave that you could use in the lobby. You could check with the hotel hostess to find a local nearby supermarket and check into preparing your own meals. While on vacation everyone wants to eat at the fancy restaurants and not have any work to do but you might find this to be a bit costly. Why not go to the local store and buy yourselves some steaks and bring them back and cook them the way you want to cook them and save yourselves some money for that really nice souvenir that you might find yourself wanting to buy down the road.

Rates for extended-stay's are just about the same price as if you were to check into the the Quality Inn. I have actually found them to be a bit pricier than the extended-stay's. Also most extended-stay's have outside patio's where you could grab your chairs and sit out and watch the sun go down. Most other hotels and motels offer you security entrances where you must first walk through the lobby to access your rooms where most of the extended stays only offer you access to the lobby during normal business hours and most are closed early on weekends.

You might find yourself a new friend while staying at extended stay hotels because some people want to rent these rooms on a weekly basis because they find it cheaper then a apartment or house. With a extended stay versus a normal apartment you don't find yourself in a bunch trying to come up with the money for the electric bill as you do with a apartment complex. So some of the neighbor might have been there for more then just a few nights. You would probably

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>