Author Topic: Accomodation  (Read 3135 times)

namasteyall

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Accomodation
« on: February 04, 2023, 11:10:47 PM »
Has anyone moved into a good hotel long term?

Some 5 star hotels in my city are well located, by the sea, and seem affordable, with a pool, gym, 2 good buffets daily, cleaners, 24 hour security and safety, etc.

I could access their washing machines and some storage.

One attraction is no other bills except medicals and transport.
I have stayed in similar hotels for months.

Yes, prices can and will rise.

I could rent out my current apt and keep it as a standby if the hotel becomes too expensive.
Any advice?


herbgeek

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2023, 05:18:33 AM »
My godparents did this every year, they called it snowbirding.  They went to Florida before peak season and stayed a couple of months.  They really enjoyed their time there with the same people who also rented every year.  Got out of the New England cold and snow, and grandkids were very excited to visit.  ;)

GilesMM

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2023, 07:56:18 AM »
If you can get a great deal for a long term stay it can work well. We were house hunting in San Francisco years ago and staying at the Hilton Chinatown for $50/night.  Daily room service.  Restaurant next door had a breakfast deal - $2.99 for bacon, eggs, toast, juice and coffee.  We figured if we didn't find any place better we might just stay at the Hilton for $1500/month.    But, we did eventually find a place.

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2023, 08:48:50 AM »
Sooort of.

I lived in a Hilton for a few years, but in the part of the building that was apartments, not hotel rooms. We had our own entrance and elevators, but we were just a particular set of floors in the same high-rise.

I loved it. I had 24/7 concierge, access to all hotel amenities, I could order room service and housekeeping for a fee, I never even had to change a lightbulb or plunge a toilet, the staff could be called to do it for me. And my rent included hotel phone, internet, and cable tv.

I absolutely LOVED it at the time because I was working 100hr weeks during school, so the less I was responsible for, the better.

Villanelle

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2023, 11:48:26 AM »
I've lived in hotels for a couple months here and there, and an Airbnb for about 8 months and again for about 2 months.

I hated hotel living, though admittedly it wasn't 5 stars.  I was living there with my spouse and the room, which was large-average for a hotel room, just felt too small and like we were on top of each other.  There was no place to escape and read if he wanted to watch TV, and no place to go if he was taking a phone call.  But if you are single, maybe that wouldn't be an issue.

The Airbnb was amazing.  We negotiating a much cheaper rate than that listed on Airbnb, thanks to being long-term and off-season. Clearly there was no concierge but everything else was available to us.

trollwithamustache

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2023, 12:14:48 PM »
It's likely not as great as you think. I've done this for work and it is very workable. But, the hotels that are willing to cut you a deal are often not in bad areas, but not the prime spots. So maybe close to downtown/beach but a bit of a walk. Your beach front hotel can charge a big premium in season and they don't want to give that away.

It also puts you on all eating out food. If there is something like a Whole Foods with a salad bar nearby maybe this is workable, but not cheap. Or there is a good chance you will gain some weight.

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2023, 12:30:46 PM »
It's likely not as great as you think. I've done this for work and it is very workable. But, the hotels that are willing to cut you a deal are often not in bad areas, but not the prime spots. So maybe close to downtown/beach but a bit of a walk. Your beach front hotel can charge a big premium in season and they don't want to give that away.

It also puts you on all eating out food. If there is something like a Whole Foods with a salad bar nearby maybe this is workable, but not cheap. Or there is a good chance you will gain some weight.

A lot of hotel rooms have kitchenettes, especially in cheaper hotels, and those ones also often have free breakfast. If you were a one meal a day intermittent faster like me, you would be set. 

Villanelle

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2023, 01:56:39 PM »
It's likely not as great as you think. I've done this for work and it is very workable. But, the hotels that are willing to cut you a deal are often not in bad areas, but not the prime spots. So maybe close to downtown/beach but a bit of a walk. Your beach front hotel can charge a big premium in season and they don't want to give that away.

It also puts you on all eating out food. If there is something like a Whole Foods with a salad bar nearby maybe this is workable, but not cheap. Or there is a good chance you will gain some weight.

A lot of hotel rooms have kitchenettes, especially in cheaper hotels, and those ones also often have free breakfast. If you were a one meal a day intermittent faster like me, you would be set.

I agree with this, which is another reason I think the OP would be better off going with more moderate hotels, instead of 5* places, which likely don't have efficiency kitchens in them.  I'm also not sure how many five star hotels have buffets, though them do mention that specifically in their post, as "scoop mountains of food onto your own plate" is generally not five star service, especially for anything other than breakfast.

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2023, 02:10:29 PM »
It's likely not as great as you think. I've done this for work and it is very workable. But, the hotels that are willing to cut you a deal are often not in bad areas, but not the prime spots. So maybe close to downtown/beach but a bit of a walk. Your beach front hotel can charge a big premium in season and they don't want to give that away.

It also puts you on all eating out food. If there is something like a Whole Foods with a salad bar nearby maybe this is workable, but not cheap. Or there is a good chance you will gain some weight.

A lot of hotel rooms have kitchenettes, especially in cheaper hotels, and those ones also often have free breakfast. If you were a one meal a day intermittent faster like me, you would be set.

I agree with this, which is another reason I think the OP would be better off going with more moderate hotels, instead of 5* places, which likely don't have efficiency kitchens in them.  I'm also not sure how many five star hotels have buffets, though them do mention that specifically in their post, as "scoop mountains of food onto your own plate" is generally not five star service, especially for anything other than breakfast.

Yeah, I have no idea what 5 star means in their location.

If they're considering it, then I'm assuming it's not crazy expensive.

It would be nice to see some actual numbers to even have an opinion. For me, I get the family rate at all Marriott chains, and even then, it would be substantially more expensive for me to live in smaller accomodations than my current 1 bedroom apartment, even including utilities, internet, and paying a housekeeper.

And that's using the cheapest rate at the crappiest hotel in my city, in a terrible location.

So I would really love to hear how this would make sense financially. Also, what the motivation would be. If OP is willing to downsize that much and their home is worth that much to rent out, then why not move to a small apartment and pay for housekeeping and cooking?

They would have to cost it out, but the cost for me to hire a weekly housekeeper who also cooks isn't particularly high compared to outsourcing that work to a hotel.

namasteyall

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2023, 11:24:56 PM »
Thanks everyone.

I have stayed in really nice 5 star hotels for months and been very happy. E.g. in India, they are usually in the best parts. Is this totally cheap? No, but they had all the services I needed: gorgeous buffets usually with plenty of fresh juices/salads and meals from various countries twice day, pool/s, gym, excellent cleaners, security, etc. The executive chefs were always willing to listen and include something you liked. Plenty of culture nearby, many free events. Yes, I still had to pay for transport and medicals. I took my laundry to a friend's machine when needed but could have presumably negotiated access at the hotel since I was there long term. It does appeal!

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2023, 06:20:12 AM »
Asking about living in a hotel in India is a bit different than asking about living in hotels in north america.

TreeLeaf

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2023, 07:47:42 AM »
Asking about living in a hotel in India is a bit different than asking about living in hotels in north america.

I have literally never been in a hotel room in my life, or left my country, and only leave my state on occasion to visit family.

So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

GuitarStv

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2023, 07:57:29 AM »
So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

Different places have different rules and cultural expectations for services.  A hotel in Europe is much more likely not to have A/C or elevator access than a hotel in the US for example.  And they often have a very short drinking fountain next to the toilet . . .

TreeLeaf

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2023, 08:01:49 AM »
So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

Different places have different rules and cultural expectations for services.  A hotel in Europe is much more likely not to have A/C or elevator access than a hotel in the US for example.  And they often have a very short drinking fountain next to the toilet . . .

Interesting. I really need to get out more, lol. Having a drinking fountain next to a toilet just seems like the strangest thing to me.

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2023, 08:17:47 AM »
Asking about living in a hotel in India is a bit different than asking about living in hotels in north america.

I have literally never been in a hotel room in my life, or left my country, and only leave my state on occasion to visit family.

So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

It's not just price.

When asking about living in a hotel, if we assume it's in North America then we will all make generalizations about what kind of amenities, security, and price is compared to renting. We're all operating under assumptions that aren't relevant in a wildly different location.

And it's not just price, depending on the location there could be issues of security, especially for solo women. Also serviced apartments are a thing in many places in India, and there are tons of articles comparing staying in a hotel long term vs a serviced apartment.
 
A person needs to understand the area in order to be able to comment on how to live optimally in that area.

I have a number of friends who do ongoing business in India, and the women tend to stay in hotels, even for months on end.

NotJen

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2023, 08:19:14 AM »
So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

Different places have different rules and cultural expectations for services.  A hotel in Europe is much more likely not to have A/C or elevator access than a hotel in the US for example.  And they often have a very short drinking fountain next to the toilet . . .

Interesting. I really need to get out more, lol. Having a drinking fountain next to a toilet just seems like the strangest thing to me.

He's making a joke about bidets.

Metalcat

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2023, 08:19:26 AM »
So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

Different places have different rules and cultural expectations for services.  A hotel in Europe is much more likely not to have A/C or elevator access than a hotel in the US for example.  And they often have a very short drinking fountain next to the toilet . . .

Interesting. I really need to get out more, lol. Having a drinking fountain next to a toilet just seems like the strangest thing to me.

It's a joke, he's talking about bidets.

Although, in many of Indian bathrooms they have an eastern floor toilet and a "bum gun" instead of a european style standalone bidet beside a toilet.

TreeLeaf

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #17 on: March 01, 2023, 08:27:23 AM »
Asking about living in a hotel in India is a bit different than asking about living in hotels in north america.

I have literally never been in a hotel room in my life, or left my country, and only leave my state on occasion to visit family.

So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

It's not just price.

When asking about living in a hotel, if we assume it's in North America then we will all make generalizations about what kind of amenities, security, and price is compared to renting. We're all operating under assumptions that aren't relevant in a wildly different location.

And it's not just price, depending on the location there could be issues of security, especially for solo women. Also serviced apartments are a thing in many places in India, and there are tons of articles comparing staying in a hotel long term vs a serviced apartment.
 
A person needs to understand the area in order to be able to comment on how to live optimally in that area.

I have a number of friends who do ongoing business in India, and the women tend to stay in hotels, even for months on end.

Ah - ok. Thanks @Metalcat

Yeah I would imagine security could be a serious consideration, especially for a solo female in some countries.

GuitarStv

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Re: Accomodation
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2023, 08:38:06 AM »
So - I apologize for my ignorance - but I assume the difference is mostly just price..? Are hotels in India that different than hotels in America?

Different places have different rules and cultural expectations for services.  A hotel in Europe is much more likely not to have A/C or elevator access than a hotel in the US for example.  And they often have a very short drinking fountain next to the toilet . . .

Interesting. I really need to get out more, lol. Having a drinking fountain next to a toilet just seems like the strangest thing to me.

He's making a joke about bidets.
:D

 

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