The temporary assignment is for three months. The project requires your best people on the ground in a new city. The traditional solution? A block of sterile, beige hotel rooms. For weeks on end, your team lives out of suitcases, dines on expensive and unhealthy room service, and attempts to conduct business from a tiny desk crammed into the corner of a bedroom. Productivity wanes, morale dips, and per-diem costs skyrocket. As a corporate mobility strategist who has spent over 15 years helping Fortune 500 companies manage talent relocation, I have seen this scenario play out time and time again. There is a better way. Extended stay corporate housing is not just an alternative to a hotel; it is a fundamentally superior solution that enhances employee well-being, boosts productivity, and delivers significant cost savings. This guide will provide the definitive framework for understanding, sourcing, and leveraging corporate housing as a strategic asset for your business.
Beyond the Hotel Room: Defining Extended Stay Corporate Housing
The first step in leveraging corporate housing is to understand what it is—and what it isn’t. It is not simply a hotel room with a kitchenette. It represents a completely different category of accommodation, one designed for living, not just visiting.
What Exactly Is Corporate Housing?
At its core, extended stay corporate housing consists of a fully furnished residential apartment, condominium, or house that is leased on a temporary basis, typically for 30 days or more. Unlike a hotel, it is a private residence located within a residential community. This means your employees aren’t just guests in a transient building; they are temporary residents of a neighborhood. They have a proper living room, a full-sized kitchen, and separate bedrooms, allowing them to unpack, settle in, and create a genuine home away from home.
The Core Value Proposition: A True Home Away From Home
The psychological benefits of this model cannot be overstated. A hotel room is, by its very nature, a temporary space. A corporate apartment is a living space.
- Space to Breathe: The average one-bedroom corporate apartment is 700-900 square feet, more than double the size of a typical hotel room. This extra space allows for a clear separation between work, relaxation, and sleep.
- The Power of a Kitchen: A full-sized, fully equipped kitchen provides the freedom to cook, store food, and maintain a healthier lifestyle, drastically reducing reliance on expensive and often unhealthy restaurant meals.
- Privacy and Normalcy: The ability to close a bedroom door, host a colleague for a meeting in the living room, or simply relax on a sofa to watch a movie creates a sense of normalcy that is impossible to achieve in a single hotel room.
Understanding the “All-Inclusive” Model: The Appeal of Fully Furnished Corporate Housing with Utilities Included
One of the most attractive features for both the employee and the company is the turnkey nature of the product. The search for fully furnished corporate housing with utilities included is a high-priority for travel managers because it simplifies everything. The apartment comes complete with furniture, housewares (dishes, linens, etc.), a washer and dryer, a television, and high-speed internet. All utilities—electricity, gas, water, and cable—are connected and included in a single monthly bill. There are no utility deposits to manage and no frantic calls to set up internet service. The employee can simply arrive with their suitcase and start living.
The Financial Equation: Corporate Housing vs. Extended Stay Hotel Cost
At first glance, the monthly rate for a corporate apartment may seem comparable to a block of hotel nights. However, a deeper analysis of the corporate housing vs extended stay hotel cost reveals a clear and compelling financial advantage for the corporate housing model. The savings are found not in the room rate, but in the significant reduction of ancillary costs.
Analyzing the Per-Diem Breakdown
A hotel stay generates a multitude of secondary expenses that are often overlooked in initial budget projections.
- Dining Costs: With limited or no cooking facilities, employees are forced to dine out for nearly every meal, rapidly depleting their per-diem and leading to higher reimbursement costs for the company.
- Laundry Services: Hotel laundry services are notoriously expensive. A week’s worth of laundry can easily exceed $100. A corporate apartment includes an in-unit washer and dryer, reducing this cost to nearly zero.
- Parking Fees: Downtown hotels often charge $50+ per day for parking. Corporate housing apartments typically include parking at no extra charge or for a much lower monthly fee.
The Hidden Value of a Kitchen
The financial impact of a full kitchen is the single biggest differentiator. An employee who can cook even a few meals a week will save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the course of a multi-month stay. This translates into either a lower per-diem requirement for the company or a significant financial benefit for the employee, boosting morale.
Cost Comparison: 30-Day Stay in a Major City
This data table provides a conservative estimate comparing the total cost of a 30-day stay for one employee, highlighting the often-hidden expenses of an extended hotel stay.
| Expense Category | Extended Stay Hotel | Corporate Housing Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Base Rate (Accommodation) | $150/night x 30 = $4,500 | $120/night x 30 = $3,600 |
| Dining (Estimated Per-Diem) | $75/day x 30 = $2,250 | $35/day x 30 = $1,050 (due to cooking) |
| Parking | $50/day x 30 = $1,500 | Included or $200/month |
| Laundry | $50/week x 4 = $200 | Included (in-unit) |
| Internet/Utilities | Included | Included |
| Total Estimated 30-Day Cost | $8,450 | $4,850 |
| Net Savings | ~$3,600 (or ~42%) |
Catering to the Modern Executive: The Luxury Segment
In a competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent requires more than just a great salary. The quality of travel and relocation accommodations is a powerful perk that signals a company’s investment in its people.
The Rise of Luxury Serviced Apartments for Corporate Travel
For senior executives, client-facing project leads, or as a recruitment tool for top-tier candidates, luxury serviced apartments for corporate travel are the new gold standard. These are not standard apartments. They are premium residences in Class-A buildings located in the most desirable downtown neighborhoods. They offer a level of quality, style, and service that rivals a five-star hotel, but with the space and privacy of a private home.
What Defines “Luxury” in Corporate Housing?
The “luxury” designation is earned through a combination of factors:
- Prime Locations: Proximity to the central business district, fine dining, and cultural attractions.
- Premium Buildings: State-of-the-art fitness centers, resort-style swimming pools, 24-hour concierge services, and resident lounges.
- High-End Interiors: Designer furniture, gourmet kitchens with stone countertops and stainless steel appliances, spa-like bathrooms, and sweeping city views.
- Enhanced Services: Options for weekly housekeeping, grocery delivery, and other personalized concierge services.
The Impact on Talent Retention and Recruitment
Offering a luxury serviced apartment for a relocating executive or a long-term project assignment sends a clear message: “We value you.” It ensures the employee and their family are comfortable and happy, leading to higher morale, better focus at work, and a more positive view of the company. It can be a decisive factor in a candidate’s decision to accept a new role or a project manager’s willingness to take on a challenging assignment.
Solving for Real Life: Practical Considerations for a Long-Term Stay
A successful corporate relocation is about more than just a place to sleep. It’s about accommodating the employee’s entire life, which often includes family, pets, and the need for a balanced lifestyle.
Bringing the Whole Family (Including the Dog): The Need for Pet Friendly Corporate Extended Stay Apartments
One of the biggest sources of stress for a relocating employee is what to do with their beloved pet. The search for pet friendly corporate extended stay apartments is one of the most common and critical needs in the industry. Forcing an employee to board their pet for months is a major morale-killer. Corporate housing providers who offer a wide selection of pet-friendly buildings provide an invaluable solution. They solve a major logistical and emotional pain point, making the transition significantly smoother for the employee.
Space and Privacy: Two and Three-Bedroom Options for Families or Teams
Corporate housing excels in providing accommodations for families or teams traveling together. Instead of booking multiple, disconnected hotel rooms, a company can lease a two or three-bedroom apartment. This keeps the family or team under one roof, provides a common living area for collaboration or family time, and is almost always more cost-effective than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Location Strategy: Balancing Proximity to the Office with Neighborhood Livability
While proximity to the office is important, it shouldn’t be the only factor. A great corporate housing provider will offer options in various neighborhoods, allowing the employee to choose a location that fits their lifestyle. An employee with a family might prefer a quieter neighborhood with good parks and schools, while a younger employee might prefer a vibrant area with lots of restaurants and nightlife. This flexibility to choose a “livable” neighborhood is key to long-term employee satisfaction.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Budget and Needs
The corporate housing market is diverse, with options ranging from budget-conscious to ultra-luxury. Finding the right solution requires a clear understanding of your company’s budget and your employees’ needs.
The Quest for Affordable Corporate Housing for Long Term Stay
Not every assignment requires a luxury downtown penthouse. For project teams, interns, or companies with tighter budgets, the search for affordable corporate housing for long term stay is paramount. These options may be located in well-connected suburban areas instead of the downtown core, or be in slightly older but well-maintained buildings. They still provide all the core benefits of corporate housing—a full kitchen, more space, and in-unit laundry—at a more accessible price point.
Vetting Providers: National Firms vs. Local Specialists
The corporate housing industry includes large, national providers who have inventory in hundreds of cities, as well as smaller, local specialists who have deep knowledge of a single market.
- National Providers: Offer the benefit of a single point of contact for all your company’s needs across the country and standardized processes.
- Local Specialists: Often have access to unique properties that national firms don’t and possess deep, nuanced knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods.
For companies with needs in multiple cities, working with a national provider is often more efficient. For a one-off need in a specific city, a local specialist may provide a more personalized touch.
Exclusive Insight: The “Second City” Strategy for Cost Savings
Here’s a strategy I frequently recommend to clients looking for cost savings without sacrificing quality. Instead of insisting on a location in the absolute central business district (where prices are highest), consider a location in a vibrant, transit-oriented neighborhood just outside the core. For example, instead of downtown Chicago, look at Lincoln Park or the West Loop. These areas often have newer, high-quality apartment buildings, great restaurants and amenities, and are just a short train or bus ride from the office, but at a significantly lower cost.
The Booking and Onboarding Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process of securing corporate housing is more involved than booking a hotel room, but a professional provider will make it seamless.
For the Travel Manager: How to Set Up a Corporate Account
The first step is to establish a relationship with a corporate housing provider. You will typically sign a master service agreement. This allows you to quickly place employees without having to renegotiate terms each time. You will provide the details of the assignment (location, dates, budget, any special needs), and the provider will return a list of curated, available options for you to approve.
For the Employee: What to Expect Before You Arrive
Once an apartment is selected, the employee will receive a welcome packet. This will include the address, access instructions (how to get the keys), and details about the apartment and building amenities. Unlike a hotel, there isn’t always a 24/7 front desk, so clear arrival instructions are key. The process is designed to be simple, allowing the employee to arrive, let themselves in, and immediately feel at home.
Case Study: A Seamless Relocation for a Project Team
A tech company needed to send a five-person development team to Austin for a four-month project. Instead of five hotel rooms, we secured two large apartments (a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom) in the same luxury building in The Domain, a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. The team had space to collaborate in their living rooms, they cooked group meals, used the building’s state-of-the-art gym, and explored the neighborhood’s restaurants together. The total cost was 35% less than the projected hotel expense, and the team reported exceptionally high morale and productivity throughout the project.
Conclusion: More Than a Place to Stay, An Investment in People
In the modern business landscape, your greatest asset is your talent. Extended stay corporate housing is a direct investment in the health, happiness, and productivity of that talent. It transforms a temporary assignment from a period of stressful dislocation into a positive and enriching life experience. By providing your employees with a real home—a space to work, relax, and live with a sense of normalcy—you are not just providing accommodation. You are fostering loyalty, boosting performance, and making a smart, strategic financial decision. It’s time to check out of the hotel mindset and move into a more intelligent way of housing your valued employees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Stay Corporate Housing
What is the typical minimum stay for corporate housing?
The industry standard minimum lease term is 30 days. While some providers may occasionally accommodate shorter stays, the model is designed and priced for stays of one month or longer.
Is housekeeping included?
It varies by provider and package. Standard leases may not include any housekeeping, while more premium or “serviced apartment” packages often include weekly or bi-weekly cleaning services. This is typically less frequent than the daily service at a hotel.
Are corporate housing apartments always in large apartment buildings?
The vast majority of inventory is in professionally managed, multi-family apartment buildings, which offer the best combination of quality, amenities, and security. However, some providers can also source options in condominiums, townhouses, or even single-family homes, depending on the client’s needs and the specific market.
How far in advance do I need to book?
For the best selection, you should start the process at least 30-60 days before the move-in date. If you have very specific needs, such as multiple units in the same building, a pet-friendly unit for a large dog, or a location during a city-wide event, booking 90+ days in advance is highly recommended.
What is the main difference between corporate housing and a long-term Airbnb?
The key differences are consistency, quality control, and service. Corporate housing providers own or master-lease their inventory, ensuring a consistent standard of furnishings, cleanliness, and amenities. They are professionally managed and designed for business travelers, with consolidated billing and 24/7 support. An Airbnb is typically owned by an individual, leading to wide variations in quality, reliability, and service levels, which can be a risk for corporate clients.
