Are you planning to go on a vacation anytime soon but still weighing between a long or short stay? Then keep reading! We know exactly what you’re going through–the struggle to choose between two things can be tough! Well, especially if it involves travel, money and a good time.
But to help you out with this tedious decision, we rounded up some pros and cons of long and short stays. This will help you identify which one will suit you best based on your travelling preference, budget, number of companions and where you’re going.
What is a long-term stay?
When travelling, what most people and establishments consider a “long-term” stay is when you stay in an accommodation for an extended amount of time. The duration of a long-term stay is typically around a week, a month or more.
And there could be various reasons why people go for long-term stays such as for extended travel, temporary assignments, studies, relocation, medical treatment and so on. For its amenities, unlike hotels, it can be very different from one another. Typical hotel amenities are toiletries, pool access, gym access, housekeeping, Wi-Fi and parking.
But for long-term lodging, it can be quite different. Some long-term accommodations offer laundry access within your unit, a fully equipped kitchen, a functional living room and even grocery delivery. But again this may vary depending on what the accommodation offers.
Cost-efficient places you can stay for long-term travels are hostels, serviced apartments, rentals and budget hotels.
What are the pros and cons of long-term stays?
Pros of long-term stays:
- It’s flexible – When it comes to scheduling, booking and cancelling long-term provide flexibility in that department. With that much time on your hands, you’ll be able to tailor your travel itinerary efficiently to your preferences and needs.
- It’s cost-efficient – One of the great benefits of staying long-term is the discounts that come with it. Most long-term accommodations offer discounted rates when you stay with them over a long period.
- You can immerse yourself in local culture – Staying in a different place for a long time can help you immerse yourself in their culture, compared to short-term stays. You’ll be able to try more local dishes, see more local spots and even meet more local people.
Cons of long-term stays:
- Can be costly in other aspects – Apart from lodging, long-term stays can be costly when it comes to food, tours, shopping and daily necessities.
- Need for extra help back home – Since you’re leaving for a long time, you’ll need extra help for responsibilities you’ve left back home like pets, plants and even tarnishables left in your fridge. So you’ll need to look for people who can help you out or even look for house sitters when you’re gone.
- Limited mobility – Since you’re committing to stay in a specific place for a long time, this can limit you from moving around and seeing and staying in other places.
What is a short-term stay?
Short-term stay when travelling typically means you are staying in accommodation for less than a week. Typically most short-term stays are around 3 to 4 days, sometimes even shorter. Most people who go for short-term stays usually do it for travel, transit, business, special events and emergencies.
Places that are ideal for short-term stays are rentals, hotels, bed and breakfasts, serviced apartments and even resorts. Common amenities you can expect are toiletries, Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, room service, parking and many more.
What are the pros and cons of short-term stays?
Pros of short-term stays:
- It’s convenient – Short-term stays are pretty convenient since you’ll be able to stay in a place, book it and have your travelling and living needs met during your stay.
- It’s flexible – This allows you to stay in a place as quickly as a night, without the long-term commitment. You’ll be able to book and stay in other places without breaking agreements.
- You have a wide range of options – There are A LOT of accommodations that offer short-term stays. Well, even places that offer long-term accommodation still offer short-term stays too.
Cons of short-term stays:
- Higher costs – Short-term accommodation is rated per night so it can be more expensive when it comes to your accommodation expenses.
- Limited availability – If you choose to travel during peak seasons, it can be hard to book short-term accommodation since they’re almost always fully booked.
- Loading and unloading hassle – Both packing and unpacking are tiering, and having to go through this every time you have to vacate an accommodation may be rather inconvenient. It is preferable to pack and unpack only once during your entire trip rather than constantly doing it.
So what will it be? Long-term or short-term stays?
Knowing what you know, we assume you already have an idea of what you want to consider during your trip this year! Everyone has different needs and necessities–while some find long-term stay more convenient, others might think otherwise. So it’s up to you, which one do you think suits your travelling preferences and needs the most?
