What Makes furnished homes Different from Hotel Stays
Choosing the right lodging is only one of the numerous decisions that tourists must make before they go on a trip. Hotel rooms were not the only options available in the past. Modern business and leisure visitors might opt to stay in serviced apartments rather than hotels during their extended trips.
Homes, that are fully furnished and available for both short- and long-term stays are what are known as serviced apartments. There are several distinctions between hotels and serviced apartments, and understanding them will help you choose the best option for your next trip. These are the top seven distinctions between hotels and serviced apartments.
1. Living Room

Hotel rooms, particularly in crowded cities like New York, can be relatively compact. While there are large suites available, they often come with a hefty price tag. Conversely, a furnished home is typically a standard-sized studio or one, two, or three-bedroom unit, providing 30–50% more space than a standard hotel room. This ample space allows for greater flexibility to work, relax, spread out, and truly live during your stay. Additionally, furnished homes often feature amenities such as big-screen smart televisions in the living room, enhancing the comfort and convenience of your accommodation.
2. Kitchen

It’s rare for a hotel room to come with a kitchen, and if it does, it’s typically a small one with limited cooking facilities. However, a fully equipped kitchen in a furnished home enables you to prepare homemade meals and store groceries in the refrigerator. This option allows you to eat healthier and save money on dining out!
3. Furnishing and accessories

Furnished homes come complete with all the amenities you’d anticipate in a typical household. They offer everything necessary for work, cooking, and daily living, including a desk, cookware, and laundry essentials like baskets. Notably, many furnished homes also feature a washer and dryer within the unit. On the contrary, hotel rooms typically provide little beyond a bed and a bathroom. If fortunate, guests may find a dresser, wardrobe, desk, or small sofa in their accommodations.
4. Typical length of stay

The majority of hotels, aside from extended-stay establishments, cater to shorter stays. In contrast, a furnished home is tailored for stays lasting one month or more. Depending on local regulations, shorter stays of a week or more might be feasible. Prolonged stays in hotels can pose challenges, particularly without access to a kitchen, convenient laundry facilities, or sufficient space. Furnished homes offer all the comforts and necessities of home living.
5. Price variations

When contemplating the duration of your stay, differences in pricing between furnished homes and hotels become apparent. Sustaining a stay in a hotel for several weeks can prove to be excessively costly, particularly if you rely on dining out or room service instead of preparing your own meals. In comparison, opting for a furnished home can yield significant savings, especially for extended stays. Typically, the costs of furnished homes are 30–50% lower than hotel rates.
Furthermore, staying in a furnished home for an extended period may also lead to tax benefits. However, the extent of these savings can vary significantly depending on the local jurisdiction and the duration of your intended stay.
6. Facilities

Hotel and furnished home facilities can differ. Room service, a mini bar, an on-site restaurant and/or bar, a spa, and continental breakfast are all amenities that a hotel may offer, which may not be available in furnished homes. Depending on the building, furnished homes may include amenities such as a pool, fitness center, terrace, roof deck, staffed lobby, laundry facilities, and resident lounges. Many of them also welcome pets! Additionally, some furnished homes feature fenced yards, providing a safe and enjoyable space for pets to roam. Finally, while many hotels still charge extra for Wi Fi, it is nearly always included in the cost of a furnished home.
7. Common locations

Hotels are typically located in centralized and convenient regions, such as near major attractions or airports, whereas furnished homes can be found in practically any residential sector within a city. They can also be found almost anywhere in the world where there are residential homes.