In the United States, there are nearly 500 million business trips taken each year. Many of those trips require a short stay at a hotel. Others last longer and may require an alternative type of accommodation. That’s not to mention the millions of traveling nurses, students, and other professionals who move from place to place for work or education opportunities.

Whether you’re traveling for work, school, internships, or for some other reason, you may find yourself in a situation where you need short-term living arrangements. Two of the main options are short-term housing and extended stay hotels. But, what are these two options, and what makes them different from one another? In this article, we’ll explain the difference between short-term housing and extended stay hotels. Let’s start with extended stay hotels.

Extended Stay Hotels

Extended stay hotels are types of hotels and other properties that specialize in longer stays. These hotels are set up a little differently than normal hotels to cater to the need of individuals who will be there for more than a few days. Here are some of the offerings from most extended stay hotels:

• Fully furnished rooms, often including a kitchen and refrigerator, which means no moving costs
• Housekeeping and other cleaning services
• Dishes and cookware supplied
• Towels and linens supplied
• Pets allowed (depending on the specific property)
• Utilities included

You can stay for as long as the hotel allows you to, but most stays are normally 5-7 days. However, many people stay weeks, months, and even years in some cases. 

Extended stays are beneficial because they offer discounted rates since you are staying at the hotel for a longer period of time. These can either be weekly or monthly rates, and the price can fluctuate depending on the amount of time spent there. Extended stay monthly rates can vary dramatically depending on the type of property and the location, but they generally cost between $1,100-$4,000 per month.

Short-Term Housing

Short-term housing—often referred to as short-term rentals or short-term living accommodations—is another living option for individuals who are traveling and need a place to stay for an extended period of time. Short-term housing offers many of the same benefits as extended stay hotels, but is often cheaper and more unique, allowing individuals to select from a variety of living options and services based on their specific needs. These options include condos, apartments, guest houses, houses, residency halls, and more. Usually, these options offer amenities like:

• Being fully furnished
• Feeling more like a real home
• No required maintenance
• Included utilities
• Proximity to popular destinations
• Some options include co-living experiences that offer community and safety
• Some options even include meals

You can stay at short-term housing accommodations for as little as a few days up to weeks, months, and even years. Many options have month-to-month pricing at a discounted rate for longer stays. This helps you save money and get everything you need in your living situation for the amount of time you need it.

At Thompson-Markward Hall (TMH), we’re a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the academic and professional success of young women. TMH is in the heart of DC and offers safe, affordable, and convenient housing for women who are working, attending school, or interning in our nation’s capital. We also have home-cooked, delicious food provided for our residents.

We are now requiring all residents to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to make our community as safe as possible. Visit our website to learn more about our accommodations or fill out an application so you can start enjoying all of the benefits of co-living in DC and find your new home today!