Did you know that a famous French designer lived at the Ritz Hotel in Paris for 37 years? Beyond that, the Chelsea Hotel in New York City is also famous for being home to popular celebrities. So yes, you can live in a hotel (and many have), but what are the pros and cons? And how much does it cost?
I have personally toyed with the idea of staying (forever) in a hotel. After all, there are a lot of pros to the idea: daily room service and built-in cleaning come to mind.
Beyond that, what are the implications of living in a hotel, and can you really live there long-term? This article will help you figure out if you can do just that and how to find the right hotel for you.
Can you live in a hotel in the UK?
If you are looking to stay in one place for an extended period, like a few weeks, staying in a hotel can be a great option. Be sure to look into all accommodation options before making the financial commitment to a long-term hotel stay. The terms ‘extended stay’ or ‘long-term stay’ are used interchangeably and mean the same thing.
How long can you live in a hotel?
The short answer is that how long you can live in a hotel depends on the hotel’s policy and local regulations. If there are no restrictions from the city or the hotel itself, you can live there as long as you like and as long as you can afford.
If you’re considering an extended stay in a hotel, it’s essential to check the hotel’s policies and local regulations. For example, in the US, states like California and Texas allow guests to stay at the same hotel or motel for more than 30 consecutive days, and you may even gain tenant status, which can enhance your legal rights.
Some hotel chains also provide extended stays, like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt.
What is the difference between short-term and extended or long-term stays?
| Type of stay | Differences |
|---|---|
| Extended stays or long-term stays | Stays of more than 20 days. For long-term or extended stays, people will often look for hotels with extra facilities, like kitchens and laundry access. |
| Short-term stays | Typically, only a few days or weeks. Your classic summer holiday for example. |
Is it legal to live in a hotel?
Yes, it is legal, as long as you pay your bills and there are no issues with the payments. However, take into account that for many places, the duration of the stay determines the legality and status.
Also, be aware that some hotels may require a deposit if you are a long-term guest, the same way that a landlord will require a deposit.
Pros and cons of living in a hotel
Pros of living in a hotel
There are many perks to staying at hotels. Here are some of the top ones:
- Regular cleaning: Your room will typically be cleaned every day. If this is important for you, don’t forget to check your property rules to ensure whether there is intermittent cleaning or regular, scheduled cleaning.
- Easy access to amenities: Hotels typically offer the basics in rooms, like coffee makers and irons. You might even have free access to a fitness centre and a pool.
- On-site restaurants: If you don’t enjoy cooking and ike the idea of dining out occasionally without travelling far, make sure that the hotel you choose has this amenity in addition to a kitchen in your room.
Cons of living in a hotel
There are some cons to living in a hotel, too. Here are some to keep in mind:
- No control of decor: If you’re in the mood to do some heavy decoration, like change up wall panelling and paint, a hotel will likely have rules in place that prevent you from altering the room.
- Noise from other guests: There is also the potential noise from guests. If you are a light sleeper, a hotel may not be your best option. In this case, my advice is to check the room is up to your sleeping standards for a few nights before you commit to anything long-term.
- Social limitations: Not all hotels will allow frequent visitors to your room. If you’re social and want to invite friends or family to visit, keep this in mind.
- High costs: If the hotel doesn’t offer discounts, your bills are likely to add up quickly.
- Age restrictions: Many hotels have minimum age rules for bookings, making it tricky to find a long-term hotel as a young person.
How much is it to live in a hotel?
Living in a hotel doesn’t come cheap. According to KAYAK data, the average cost for a month-long hotel stay in the UK is around £4214. Compared to the average UK monthly rent cost of £1298, this is very high. That said, if you are flexible with your hotel location, you could find a cheaper long-term hotel.
Popular areas like London, on the other hand, will likely cost a lot more. Remember that room service or dining out is extra, and be sure to inquire if there are discounts for long-term stays. Booking in advance can often get you the best deals, too.
Alternatives to hotel living and how to find them on KAYAK
Hotel living isn’t the only way to do extended stays. Other options include:
- Serviced apartments you can rent monthly
- Vacation rentals
- Co-living spaces
A vacation rental might be a more cost-effective option than staying at a hotel, so weigh the pros and cons on a spreadsheet to determine the most cost-effective option.
Serviced apartments can be much cheaper than hotels too. They often come to about 30% of the cost of a hotel bill. Additionally, the cost of groceries or ingredients supplied is often cheaper or wholesale in price.
To search for these types of accommodation on KAYAK, simply use the ‘Type of stay’ filter after you input your dates and hit search. Options you can choose from include aparthotels, rental apartments, villas and even unique stays like campgrounds or villas.
Conclusion
There are many potential reasons to live in a hotel: the peace of mind that comes with knowing that everything is done for you, that the rooms will be clean, and that you have access to reliable, dependable staff and security. That said it’s important to consider the cons and costs too.
Living in a hotel FAQs
How long you can stay at a hotel depends on the hotel policy and local regulations. If there are no restrictions from the city or the hotel itself, you can live there as long as you like.
Yes, but be sure to check the rules of your chosen hotel as many have a maximum stay period.
This will vary from hotel to hotel and city – be sure to check the hotel policy and local regulations before booking.
The month-long hotel prices provided are based on the 2025 yearly average for hotels between 2 and 4 stars. The cost takes into account the average nightly stay in the UK is equal to £140.47, according to KAYAK data. A month in this instance is taken to have 30 days.
