Living in hotels: Is there another option for your next business trip?

If you’re a frequent traveller or you’re always on the move for work, it can often feel like you’re living in hotels. Many frequent travellers might even consider staying in a hotel as a more permanent solution to either see more of the world or to save on rental costs. In addition, if you frequently travel for work, it can feel like you live in a hotel for 5 days of the week.

Whilst hotel living can provide an easy and convenient option, it’s not without its downsides. Sometimes, you might want somewhere that feels a little more like a home.

Hotel rooms are often small and cramped rooms which aren’t designed for long-term stays. This is a particular problem for business travellers – important business meetings and living out of a suitcase don’t really mix. Surely there has to be a better option?

The good news? There is a better and more comfortable option…

Introducing serviced apartments.

A serviced apartment gives you all the benefits of a hotel (high-quality accommodation and regular housekeeping) combined with all the space and privacy of a home so you can feel more comfortable and have somewhere to call home at the end of a busy day.

In this blog, we’ll have a look at whether living in a hotel is a good option and the other options available to you to help you choose the best accommodation for your next business trip.

Can you live in a hotel temporarily?

First, is it possible to live in a UK hotel? Put simply, yes, it is. Most hotels will allow you to live board full-time, although you may have to move rooms occasionally. There are even specific extended-stay hotels that are designed for longer stays.

However, this doesn’t mean your stay will be comfortable – most hotels are designed for short-term stays. Most hotel rooms provide only the basic living amenities, including chest of draws, desks, TV, wardrobes, but no space to hang out, relax. This can make living very claustrophobic which makes long-stay challenging.

Choosing a hotel for your business trip

The pros of hotel living

Hotels are a popular choice for travellers of all types. Living in a hotel for the week while you work away, travelling for a conference, or meeting clients can seem like the most convenient option.

They’re usually centrally located for everything you need in a particular area or city, which makes travelling around the local area easy.

Some hotels, especially luxury hotels, offer amenities such as room service, an on-site restaurant and bar, and even a gym or swimming pool. These amenities might be a reason why frequent travellers consider hotel living.

On the other hand, when you’re travelling for business and using the same room to sleep, eat, work and relax, hotels can be a tricky environment. Whilst the novelty of a hotel is great for a couple of nights or while you’re on holiday, when you’re trying to work, they’re not always the best choice.

The cons of hotel living

One of the biggest downsides to staying in a hotel for more than a few days is the space. Hotel rooms are not designed for someone to live and work in regularly. If you have no storage facilities or a desk to work at, staying in a hotel can make working away from home extremely difficult.

Plus, room service is a lovely treat if you’re away on a short holiday or a convenient option if you’re tired at the end of a long day. However, after a while, you might want to cook something a little healthier or eat food that you’ve cooked yourself. This is not possible with hotel living, and you’ll have to rely exclusively on room service and eating out.

Serviced Apartment is a better solution

Here are just some of the options you can choose from. The solution you need might vary from trip to trip but, if you can find something that works for you, your needs, and those of your colleagues, you can use the same solution time and time again.

Let’s have a quick look at the alternatives to staying in a hotel when you’re working away:

Serviced apartments

If you’re constantly travelling for work and want a more comfortable place to stay that offers more space than a hotel, then serviced apartments are perfect. A fully furnished serviced apartment, is a full property with fully functioning kitchen, living facilities, giving you all the comfort and space of home while travelling. If you’re travelling for work or business, you get a separate space to conduct business meetings or do some work.

The pros:

• Provides a home from home
• Provides more comfort and space
• Cost-effective for longer stays
• Multiple people can share an apartment depending on the number of bedrooms
• Laundry facilities
• Free Wifi
• Fully equipped kitchen so you can cook in

The cons:

• You will need to plan and book ahead
• Can work out slightly more expensive for shorter stays

If you choose a serviced apartment with Snug House, here’s a list of exactly what you can expect:

• 24-hour check-in, making it easy and quick to check-in at whatever time you arrive.
• A washing machine, iron, ironing board and airer so you don’t need to rely on external dry cleaning.
• Superfast WiFi throughout the property.
• Comprehensive cleaning every 7-14 days, plus fresh towels and high-quality linen.
• Complimentary toiletries, including shampoo, body wash, and hand wash.
• A digital city guide on Sheffield’s best restaurants, shops, and activities.
• Easy access to nearby parking or on-site parking.
• The option to convert King beds into two single beds (and vice versa) in some of our apartments.
• Pre-installed Netflix and Amazon Prime on our high-definition smart TVs.
• A fully equipped kitchen makes it easy to cook your favourite meals while you’re away.

Short term rentals

Short term rentals have risen in popularity for both travellers and business travellers. They offer a range of options in a variety of locations so you can choose something that suits you and your needs. Whether you’re just looking for a room in someone’s home or a whole place to yourself, this option gives you a huge amount of flexibility, in the same way as a serviced apartment.

The pros:

• Choose facilities to suit you e.g. food, laundry, parking etc.
• More space than a hotel
• Access to wifi
• The ability to rely on more than just room service or takeaways
• Can be more cost-effective than a hotel
• Privacy
• Somewhere to work

The cons:

• Options may be limited in city centres
• You may have to share facilities with others

What should you consider when choosing somewhere to stay for your business trip?

When choosing accommodation for your business trip, wherever you choose to stay, there are a few key factors to consider;

• The duration of your stay
• The location
• Do you need specialist services such as laundry or a concierge?
• What transport will you need access to?
• Do you need to work from the accommodation for an extended period of time?

As demonstrated, there are a number of options available to you as an alternative to living in a hotel when you’re travelling for business. The place you choose will depend on your needs and the budget your business has for your travel expenses. However, serviced apartments provide you with flexibility and provide you with a home away from home to live and work your way.

If you want a better solution for regular or longer-term travel, check out our range of serviced apartments in Sheffield. Or, find out more about us and the services we offer.