Extended Motel Stay

My in-laws live in extended stay hotels because of FILs job.

They have always had kitchenettes in their rooms (complete with a stove, oven, and full-size fridge.), and live just like they normally would. They have never had issues with bed bugs while staying in random hotels over 6 states in the South.

I would be tempted to pack a tote with kitchen stuff to take with you, as 8 weeks will probably get pricy if you try to do disposable everything. (Or, you can hit up a family dollar when you get there and buy what you need, like a pot, pan, spatula... Plates, bowls, and flatware probably wouldn't be too bad to use plastic/paper...)

They usually either have laundry facilities on-site, or a laundry service. I think they have only had to use a laundromat once in the last 6 years.

Some serve breakfasts, but most don't.

Most of the time, they have housekeeping come in at least once a week to change linens, vacuum, refresh bathroom supplies, etc.

Like the others, not of much help w/o knowing where you'll be traveling, but the extended stay places are usually in the nicer areas (hint from several years back). I was a single mom w/3 kids, and we traveled some (would have loved to be able to afford more back then). PM me if you can share an area and maybe can help more.

that's a long motel stay! i would look for a vacation rental, or plan to stay in a place that caters to extended stay guests, like marriott. you're getting into sketchy territory with the cheap motels.
a small motel will almost certainly not have a laundry, or cooking facilities. and while no hotel, even the good ones, are 100% immune from buggy issues, you've got a much better shot at a classier place (and the inevitable higher price tag.)
tripadvisor is your friend. check out what's available in the area and read the reviews with a discerning eye. you'll get a great overview, but be aware that some negative ones clearly have agendas.
unless you're in a really seedy place your sheets should be fine, but under no circumstances allow a comforter to touch your skin, they're gross. fortunately most decent hotels no longer use them, but have replaced them with top blankets that are laundered along with the sheets.
good luck!
khairete
S.

Look into hotels that cater to long-term business travelers. Residence Inn by Marriott and Homewood Suites by Hilton are fantastic options. They both have full kitchens and most suites have a living room and bedroom, so they feel a bit more like home. It is a lot more comfortable for a long term stay. They usually offer free breakfast daily and free dinner Monday - Thursday. In addition to the kitchen (fridge, stove, microwave, toaster, sometimes an oven), they usually have outdoor grills that canyone can use. If you don' t have time to go shopping, you can create a grocery list and they will pick up your food and put it away in your room while you're at work. They definitely have laundry facilities and usually have the option to send your laundry out if you don't have time to do it yourself.

If you can't do that, and must stay in a typical motel, consider buying a mini-fridge that you could plug in somewhere in the room and bringing a toaster oven from home. This would let you do some cooking in the room and, the money spent on the fridge would be a lot less than you'd spend at restaurants over time.

As a last resort, you could bring a large cooler and get ice from the motel's ice machine every day to keep things cold. Buy fruit that doesn't necessarily require refrigeration. Bread and peanut butter, or PB crackers can be good. Canned veggies (don't forget a can opener) and canned soup could be ok, though you might not be able to heat them.

For sure look for an extended stay type place, with a kitchenette. Two months is WAY to long to live in a motel room. Your company probably has a relationship with a major chain, and should help you find something comfortable and clean.

Do you already know what motel you are staying in? Most motels I have stayed in have a coffee maker, mini-fridge and microwave. These give you lots of options for quick meals. Many motels offer a free continental breakfast. Many motels have rooms with kitchenettes available as well. Some motels will have a coin operated laundry available to guests. Many motels will have an indoor or outdoor pool and workout rooms. If you know what motel you are staying at then call ahead and ask if what amenities are offered. If you have not yet booked a motel, ask what amenities are available when booking.

There is not much difference between a hotel and a motel. Technically a motel was for people driving, so there was more parking, and often you entered your room from the parking lot rather than a hallway or lobby, whereas a hotel was for people who were flying. Many motels now have central hallways with breakfast rooms too, and most hotels have plenty of parking, so really no difference. A hotel is more likely to have a restaurant and bar, but many motels also have restaurants and bars too.

As for bedbugs there is lots of info on how to protect yourself on the internet. Most important is to inspect the bed when you arrive for signs of bedbugs, and if you find signs of bugs ask for a different room. Don't leave your stuff on the floor. Wrap your suitcase in a plastic garbage bag.

Are you driving? Will you have a vehicle to drive to grocery stores, restaurants or a Laundromat? If not, ask the motel if there are these types of services within walking distance.

My advise is to look at trip advisor or something similar to see how things are really rated. Enter your own city and take a look at properties you are already familiar with. That should give you a sense of reality.

Read the reviews and then google the address of the place you are looking at. You can look at the google map and see the area.

I suggest you make sure you have a kitchenette, restaurant, laundry facility on premise or close by, and perhaps a gym so you can get away once in a while.

Can you call the company where you will be doing business? They should have some suggestions for you.

Hopefully you have a smart phone, it will be your best friend.

I would try to get an extended stay residence. I stopped at one by accident and loved it. They had cooking utensils and plates in the kitchen area. All you would need would be to buy your food. The sleeping area was huge and the living or sitting area was of nice size. We spent $150 for two nights. So check into it as they might give you a good rate for the time that you will be there.

the other S.

Lillym, without knowing where you are travelling to, I can't offer much in terms of specific places to stay. But here are some guidelines:

First of all, there are specific companies that specialize in longer visits, such as Residence Inn Mariott www.marriott.com/residence-inn/travel.mi Extended Stay America www.extendedstayamerica.com and Studio 6 www.staystudio6.com
Not all companies are available in all locations, and some are more "posh" than others.

These are different from companies that are willing to quote you room prices for longer stays (by the week) such as Motel 6 or Holiday Inn or LaQuinta. An extended stay company will typically offer rooms that have a kitchenette (microwave, larger fridge, sink, stove) and also have laundry services. Because their guests are staying long term, they are also less likely to have problems with cleanliness - they aren't turning over the room quickly, where issues might go unnoticed or unaddressed.

There are many places you can go to get reviews on particular chains, as well as individual locations. Try Travelocity, Expedia, TripAdvisor, etc.

My suggestion, if you are going to go the "motel" route, is to spend as much as you can afford. I travel a lot for dog shows out of state, and have stopped using Motel 6, Red Roof Inn, etc. Any of the motels that are under $50-60/night. Not that these are bad companies, but as a single woman traveling, the lower the price-point, the more likely the clientele will be undesirable. I stick with LaQuinta (they have a rewards program, & no pet fees, and include a continental breakfast daily), it's affordable enough, & they will offer discounts on longer stays.

There are also corporate rentals, which provide furnished homes, apartments and hotel settings for short-term and long-term stays. One example is www.corporatehousing.com
These companies can be pricier, as they often work directly with companies, who can afford to pay more than someone footing their own bill for travel. But their reputation is at stake, and the locations that you stay at through them will be vetted & more likely to be free of problems.

If you are paying for this yourself, obviously price is going to be of some concern. Your best course of action is to find the best place you can afford, and stretch your budget as much as possible. For 8 weeks, you don't want to be miserable! T.

If I was staying for 8 weeks, I'd get a suite in a hotel that is designed for extended stay. Stove, fridge, etc. Then you can get groceries and feed yourself. They do have laundry facilities in such hotels.

You don't need your own cleaning supplies. As for bedbug concerns, check the places out on BedbugRegistry.com

My kids and I stayed in a Residence Inn for a month while we were having renovations done on our house (husband stayed home with the dogs in the 2 rooms that were not being re-done). It was actually pretty comfortable. They had a small kitchen so we could fix meals in the room. They also offered free breakfast every morning and free happy hour 4 days a week, complete with free beer and wine and snacks. They did have laundry facilities. The biggest thing I missed was our DVR! Don't get worked up, it will be fine! Check out reviews online to find one that is well rated. Do you know anyone in the area who can go check out the location in person?

Do you know where you will be staying? If so, call them.. Ask them about restaurants and laundry facilities. Some hotels will have a kitchenette. They might have a restaurant at the hotel. Maybe even room service (you might like that option occasionally). Some hotels offer laundry and dry cleaning services. If this one does, ask your employer if that is something they will cover. Many hotels offer extended stay options. Not really sure how that would be different from any other hotel stay, other than there may be specific amenities that are offered to extended stay guests.

Reputable hotels and motels are not going to have issues with bedbugs. Or if they do at one point, they will be very, very careful to do everything in their power to keep it from happening again. They will also offer cleaning service on a regular basis. Hotels and motels used to offer cleaning and towels everyday. Some still do, but others will only have it every other day unless you ask. As a guest, if you need towels or shampoo or some other item that the hotel provides, you may ask for it at any time and they will get it to you very quickly.

Relax. Call the hotel with your questions. Keep in mind that the hotel will have a front desk, and you can ask them questions once you arrive.

Try to look at this as an adventure! You can do this! It might even be fun.

For that long? I'd look for other alternatives.
Is this the trip to care for your mom after her surgery?
Is there an extended stay/suites place instead?
What about a condo rental?
Have you looked on home away or VRBO?

When I worked as an on the road sales person, I perfered the older 1950's style motels over places lie Contry Inns and Suites.or Best Western. There was one in Friendship Wisconsin and it was cleaner than the Best Western in Lodi. Lodi Wisconsin uses wells for their water supply. The section of town the Best Western is in all the wells were polluted with nitrates. Guests were warned NOT to drink the water. Boiling it only consentrated the nitrates and made the water MORE unsafe. But that water was used to make the free breakfast, the floors were slimey and my feet felt uky. The older motel was clean. The beds were stripped and everything including mattress pads and pillows and comforter were washed in hot water and bleach between each guest. The rooms included a small refridge and microwave. I had purchased a small electric frying pan and they didn't care if I cooked in my room. I could make a full meal every night when I got back to my room. I asked them not to enter my room and they never did.

As far as bedbugs go --- look over the room carefully before you book it. Look at the edge of the mattress for dark spots, usually blood spots. Do not take anything into the room including your purse. Bedbugs are very difficult to see they are tiny and almost clear until they feed. They hide in the seams of wallpaper and behind electrical outlets during the day and come out to feed at night.

Be sure you stay in a nice one (in a decent area), like Residence Inn by Marriott. Skip the Red Roof Inn and Motel 6. You can get a wealth of info on trip advisor.

YEAH! what an experience you get to have...it will be like an adventure. 8 weeks is a long time, but it can be done!

It is like my first year in college...not a lot of money, living in a dorm room and I had to make the best of it. Or now, my husband travels for work and he is often in small towns, with only the local motel and one restaurant for meals. He has to adapt...and he is vegetarian and only eats healthy clean food.

I had a few essential appliances in college: I bought a microwave, a toaster oven and an electric frying pan. I could make anything in those three appliances. There was already a small fridge in the room.
I had to shop very few days, but it saved me a lot of money in the end.
Now I would add a blender for my Isagenix protein shakes in the morning and my late night snacks. And I would minus the microwave as I know that anything cooked in it in basically dead food so it's not worth it to me.

You can make healthy choices, you just have to plan ahead. Remember, your health is your full time job, without it, you would never be able to work your other full time job.

if you want some more specific tips, send me a PM with more specific details and I will be glad to help.

Trip advisor. As soon as you get in the room, ask for room service to come and change your sheets in front of you. Heck, I've offered to help. I absolutely do not use the comforter from the hotel-bring your own. Every hotel I have been in has laundry, just need to bring your own soap. If it smells dirty, walk back to the counter and demand a refund-then leave. Don't waste your time if the area looks seedy. I would be more concerned with safety than bed bugs. Don't go out late and keep a watchful eye. Food? Most places offer some delivery but I'd say don't do that if you are alone unless you meet in the lobby. I'd say TV dinners and sandwich stuff is the best. Be safe!

I would check for hotels in the area that offer extended stays or corporate/temporary housing. If you are traveling for work ask if anyone else has had to stay in that area maybe they can recommend something.

There are many hotels that offer long term rooms with kitchenettes and laundry. They all vary in price so I would start with www.hotels.com or a vacation rental site www.vrbo.com, www.homeaway.com.

Re: laundry facilities. Most motels and hotels in the mid price range at which I've stayed had self serve laundry rooms

Re: cooking.Many have a small refrigerator and a microwave.

I've visited friends in extended stay places. The Marriott was beautiful and didn't cost much more than a name brand higher level motel or hotel.I think it was around $250/night. Their room had a kitchenette, conversation area with a table and desk as well as a bed. Other friends stayed at an Extended Stay America which was less expensive. I think it was $150 or so per night. It had a smaller room which was poor in design. There wasn't seating area. I had to sit on the bed because there were only 2 chairs. The whole building was grubby looking.

Yes, check ratings on line and call the place to find out what they provide And their price. If when you get there you are not satisfied look around and move. I just did that on the Oregon coast with no problem. The one I had checked into and paid for, refunded my money. If you're unsure pay for just one night. You may be able to save money by booking on the Internet after you talk to staff.

I agree with Jill K. I wouldn't be so keen on staying at a Motel, they just always seem so small, dingy and dirty. Good luck!