How Long Can You Stay In A Hotel?
People stay in hotels for all kinds of reasons and for various lengths of time.
Many hotels have a set number of days you can stay, but every property is different.
How long you can stay in a hotel depends on the hotel’s policies, and some properties allow you to extend your stay indefinitely. Some might even take you in as a tenant, though it’s rare.
Different states have different rules and regulations regarding lodging and accommodations, so location matters when it comes to the length of stay.
You also need to do your research if you’re visiting another country and plan to stay in a hotel for long periods of time.
In addition to the logistics of living abroad (e.g., visas, employment, currency, etc.), living in a hotel may come with its own set of challenges.
Hotel Policies on Extended Stays
Most hotels have a policy that informs you of the maximum number of days allowed on-site.
This period is usually 30 days, but other destinations have it at 21 days.
Hotels have these restrictions to make it easy to manage their bookings.
So, if you’re at a hotel with a 30-day limit and plan to stay for two months, you’ll have to make two bookings.
If you stay for a good while, specific destinations might take you in as a tenant.
The hotel might exclude you from certain expenses depending on how you’ve been living the past few weeks.
You can also negotiate a new arrangement with the management or owner.
Can You Make a Hotel Your Home?
Whether you can make a hotel your home depends on the policies of the hotel and the laws of the land.
If the country or state you’re visiting doesn’t allow permanent stays, you’re out of luck.
In most cases, however, if you make your payments on time and don’t cause issues, you can call the hotel your new home.
The challenge comes when the hotel limits the number of days allowed per booking.
A permanent stay is still possible – all you need to do is rebook before your reservation ends.
This isn’t a foolproof solution, though. In busy hotels, there’s no guarantee you can keep the same room.
Some hotels have rooms booked so far in advance you might have to move to another room.
That means paying for your room ahead of time if you want to stay in the same place.
You can make it work with good planning, but it’s still more stressful than if you rented an apartment.
To make the situation less painful, I recommend discussing your options with hotel management.
The Challenges of Living Permanently in a Hotel
There are many positives to living in a hotel: there’s always someone to cook your meals, do your laundry, and clean your room.
The room is already furnished, the internet is free, and you may even have a pool/spa/sauna next door.
You also have no responsibilities like utility bills or property taxes.
It’s a dream for most, but it comes at a cost.
The price itself is a con, but the list below discusses some day-to-day challenges of living in a hotel.
Luggage Management
Living in a hotel can be inconvenient when it comes to personal belongings.
If you’re living in a hotel and plan to go away for a couple of days, you must either bring everything with you or pay for your room just to store your luggage.
Two days doesn’t seem as much, and you might choose to make the payments.
The problem comes when you plan to be away for longer, say, a week or two.
Bringing your luggage might be cheaper, but it also means carrying heavy bags with items you’re unlikely to use.
Also, while hotels are reasonably safe, there’s always a chance that things can go missing.
When living in a hotel, you may have to be more diligent about using extra security measures or rely heavily on the hotel safe to keep your things secure.
Physical and Mental Health
While it’s very lovely to have constant access to room service, the food in hotels may not be the healthiest, especially in the long term.
Many hotels offer rooms with kitchenettes, but they can come at a premium and aren’t fully equipped with everything you might need to cook at home.
You also won’t have a full-sized refrigerator or ample space to store cold or preprepared meals/snacks.
Hotels are also very busy, with many people coming in and out, including staff and other guests.
The sheer number of people makes it easy to spread illness, and it can take time for management to control an outbreak.
Lastly, your mental well-being might suffer if you live in a hotel, especially in another country.
Though it’s a fun experience in the short term, you’ll eventually realize that it’s not your home, and you’re missing certain creature comforts.
Make sure to prioritize your mental health when considering whether to live in a hotel.
Recurring Visa Renewals
Depending on the country, you may need a visa to live there if you’re not a citizen or permanent resident.
Usually, you’re allowed a set number of days in a country before you either have to leave or renew your visa.
The exact number of days depends on where you’re from and the country you’re visiting.
It also depends on whether you have a tourist visa, a work visa, or some other type of special visa.
Most countries allow tourists to stay up to 90 days before they’re required to leave.
Other types of visas have very specific rules, and you’ll have to confirm your time limits with the country’s immigration department.
Visa renewals are also not free, so you’ll need to account for the fees.
Conclusion
Many hotels allow their guests to stay for indefinite periods of time.
However, you can face complications if you don’t plan your stay properly.
If you’re looking to stay at a hotel for a long while, consider extended-stay hotels.
They’re not that different from regular hotels and are more cost-efficient for long-term stays.
Whichever route you choose, review the hotel’s policies to ensure your stay is as smooth as possible.
