When a fully-furnished residence is needed, a business traveler has three main options: standard hotels, extended stay hotels, and corporate housing. These options all offer flexibility in the length of stay without a complicated lease. Below is a closer look at each option that finishes with the benefits of corporate housing. Please keep in mind these are generally true of hotels, extended-stay hotels, and corporate apartments, but may not always the case:
| Benefit | Drawback | |
| Hotels | Daily housekeeping Amenities 24-hour reception | Expensive Small Space No Kitchen |
| Extended Stay Hotels | Daily Housekeeping Amenities Kitchenettes | No oven Small Space Location |
| Corporate Housing | Homelike Atmosphere Amenities Full Kitchen | No Free Breakfast Less Frequent Housekeeping |
Generally, hotels are recommended for a stay of less than a week. They offer the most flexibility, good locations (usually abundant in cities), but they are also the most expensive.
Extended-stay hotels are best suited for stays of 2-4 weeks. They offer many of the benefits of a hotel (city locations can be difficult to find) along with a kitchenette and a lower daily rate.
For stays of 1 month or more, corporate housing is the best option in most cases. A corporate apartment is usually the least expensive option as well as being the most customizable when it comes to amenities and comfort, often including different furniture options, washer/dryer in units, and more.
Reasons to use Corporate Housing:
Any stay in an area of more than one month is a great reason to rent a fully-furnished apartment.
Examples include:
- Business Travel
- Government Travel
- Relocation
- Disaster Relief
- Home Improvement