Alternative Lodging: Why Settle for a Standard Hotel?

Residence Hotels
Business trips often mean more than just a few days away from home. Stays of a week or more can become tedious and expensive at a standard hotel. That's

why residence hotels (also called extended-stay hotels) are the fastest growing niche in the lodging industry. Think of these rooms as apartment and hotel hybrids: They offer the convenience of having your own home base without the hassles of a long-term rental.

The perks:

• Rooms the size and shape of an actual apartment
• Full kitchens with all the tools you need to cook and eat at home
• Business-minded features such as free local calls, voicemail, and data ports

The tradeoffs:

• No concierge service
• No room service (though many offer dinner delivery services from local restaurants)

The cost: Residence hotels vary in price and quality, but it's generally half the cost of staying at a mid-range hotel.