Your Guide to Extended Stays

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 provide a 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. They are especially popular among business travelers, 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 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. This led to the rise of extended stay hotels and serviced apartments catering to travelers needing long-term accommodations.

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

Why Choose an Extended Stay Over a Traditional Rental?

• Flexibility: Extended stays allow guests to book accommodations for the exact duration they require without being tied to long-term contracts. Traditional rentals often require tenants to commit to a fixed lease term, offering less flexibility for those with uncertain or short-term housing needs.
• Amenities: Extended stays are designed for longer-term guests and often include fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, laundry facilities, separate living and sleeping areas, and additional services like housekeeping. Traditional rentals may include basic amenities but typically lack services such as housekeeping and utilities.
• Cost-effectiveness: Extended stay accommodations often provide more cost-effective options for shorter stays, as utilities, internet access, and other amenities are usually included in the rental price. Traditional rentals often require tenants to pay separate utility bills and other expenses on top of the monthly rent.
• Use Cases: Long stays are commonly used by travelers, 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 long-term housing solutions and stability.

Overall, while both extended stays and traditional rentals provide housing solutions, they cater to different needs. Extended stays offer flexibility and amenities suited for shorter-term stays, while traditional rentals provide stability and permanence for long-term residents.

Is an Extended Stay Right for Me?

Booking an extended stay accommodation is a smart choice for individuals or families facing transitional periods or temporary living needs.

Choose an Extended Stay for:

• Work-related travel – Professionals away from home for extended periods due to business assignments, training programs, or project-based work.
• Moving house – A temporary solution for those selling their home while finalizing the purchase or lease of a new one. This allows for a smooth transition without rigid lease terms.
• Taking a break – Recharge and explore new locations at your own pace.
• International students – Short-term stays for those studying abroad for one semester or less, offering flexibility in accommodation duration.
• Medical stays – Being close to a loved one undergoing long-term medical treatment in a hospital far from home.

Booking an Extended Stay: Directly with the Property vs. Using an Agent

Booking directly with the property may seem like the best option—offering a dedicated site and a sense of negotiation power. However, direct booking can come with restrictions. Each property operator has its own cancellation and booking policies, some stricter than others.

Pros:

• Easily contact the property directly with questions regarding your experience and stay.
• Access detailed information about the brand, its purpose, and its story.

Cons:

• Limited to comparing properties from one business, restricting your options.
• Response times can sometimes be slow, preventing you from securing a booking in time.

Booking with an agency may feel like an extra step, but in reality, it is the easiest and most reliable way to book an extended stay.

Pros:

• Agency platforms are user-friendly and offer a wide range of properties based on budget, location, and preferences.
• They provide a universal booking and payment policy, along with a dedicated support team for assistance at any stage.

Cons:

• Choosing the wrong agency can be a mistake, as you need reliable support throughout your stay.
• If the agency lacks instant booking or online payments, you may lose availability to direct bookings.

We have listed some agencies that are useful for extended stays below:

1. Airbnb - Although known for weekend stays, Airbnb allows long-term bookings. However, hosts often charge the same short-stay rates for longer bookings, meaning you don’t receive a discount. Additionally, Airbnb requires payments every 20 days, whereas other agencies offer 30-day payment cycles.

2. SilverDoor - Great for corporate travel with a strong global presence. However, its full service is only available to corporations and doesn’t cater to smaller businesses offering a limited number of properties.

3. Livinc - Catering to corporate travelers, leisure seekers, and relocators, Livinc offers extended stays with instant booking for all. Whether you need a chic central apartment or a serviced apartment complex, Livinc simplifies the process.

What to Look for When Booking an Extended Stay

For your upcoming extended stay, you need to ensure a comfortable stay with everything required to continue life as normal. Ensure you have enough room for all occupants and sufficient storage for belongings. If relocating, you may need additional storage. Amenities to consider include a fully-furnished kitchen, workstation, and garden.

Does your extended stay offer more than just the property? Look for added value, such as access to a gym, free parking, dining options, and other amenities.

Do you need pet-friendly accommodations? Avoid the high costs of rehoming your furry friend. Many properties accept pets for a small additional fee to cover cleaning expenses.

Location is key. Do you enjoy exploring or taking walks during lunch breaks? Ensure your property is near public transport or green spaces. Being close to shops, bars, and restaurants also enhances the experience.

You want to ensure you'll enjoy living in your new home for your extended stay.

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

You’re a couple in your late twenties who have recently bought a home, but it won’t be ready for six months. While waiting for your house to be completed on the outskirts of London, you decide to fulfill your dream of staying in Central London. After researching agencies and properties, you choose to book with Livinc due to their hassle-free service, all-inclusive bills, fully furnished properties, and flexible leases.

To book your ideal stay, follow these steps:

1. Your first step is to use the website to shortlist a property, using the handy search bar and 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.

3. Once you have chosen your property, if it has an ‘Instant Book’ label or ‘Book Now’ button, you can book immediately. Alternatively, enquire or request to book a property and you will receive a response within 48 hours. You will be able to ask questions directly to the property owner via the chat function.

4. Once the property has invited you to book, complete all the required fields in the form to confirm the booking. Check the booking summary to ensure your reservation details are correct before paying. Some properties may require you to sign or agree to their T&Cs or Agreement prior to payment.

5. Your booking will be displayed in your booking dashboard, where you can contact the property directly, review policies and check-in information, and make changes to your booking, such as editing, extending, or cancelling. For bookings longer than a month, future payments will be automatically charged to your preferred payment method based on the payment schedule available in the dashboard. If the property requires a deposit, they will contact you directly to arrange this.

6. Move in and enjoy!