Wondering whether to choose corporate housing or an extended-stay hotel for your 30+ day stay? This comprehensive guide for 2025 breaks down the key differences to help you make the best choice for your temporary housing needs.
by · Nov 12, 2024
“I’ve never used corporate housing, so how is it different or better than a hotel or extended-stay hotel?”
In the corporate housing industry, we answer this question on a regular basis. So much so, that our answers have become memorized summaries recited over the phone or copy and pasted into emails. We decided it was time for us to answer this question at length, not only for our current and future clients and guests, but for ourselves as a great reminder of what truly sets us apart.
While it may seem corporate housing shares similarities with hotels, such as furnished rooms, available linens, smart TVs, and amenities that include swimming pools and fitness centers, the actual differences far exceed any such comparisons. The immediate differences are average length of stay, square footage of living space and variety of location, but there is so much more. Let’s start from the beginning and first answer the question, “Just what is corporate housing?”
The concept of corporate housing began in the 1960s, the brainchild of Howard Ruby, Founder of Oakwood Worldwide. What began as furnished housing for single adults moving to California, specifically space program engineers or those in the military, transitioned into the earliest semblance of corporate housing during the early 1970s. Businesses were attracted to the idea of fully furnished housing complete with housewares and housekeeping for their traveling executives, as well as interns. When corporations began requesting specific types of housing, Ruby and his associates began partnering with apartment communities to meet those specific location and housing needs. Thus, the birth of corporate housing as we know it, today.
Almost 50 years later, corporate housing has become a trusted partner for many corporations needing to relocate employees for position relocation, training, or other professional services. Referred to as temporary housing, serviced apartments, and executive suites, the industry is also home to individuals and families moving to new cities or facing temporary relocation due to natural disasters or emergencies.
According to the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA), the industry has transformed from basic furnished apartments into sophisticated temporary housing solutions. Today’s corporate housing landscape serves a diverse community of professionals and families seeking comfortable, home-like environments for extended stays. The modern corporate housing industry caters to a wide range of needs, including:
Corporations and organizations have discovered that alleviating stress from employee relocation is conducive to the success of the organization. According to Kimberly Smith, author of a highly informative article on the value and economic impact of corporate housing, employers are able to “achieve their business goals by cultivating more engaged and focused employees.” Smooth transitions into relocations more like home result in higher productivity.
So, what makes corporate housing more beneficial for employers and their employees? The list is long. Let’s start with location.
One of the most significant advantages of corporate housing is its flexible location options – a key differentiator that sets it apart from extended-stay hotels.
Think of corporate housing as having a “choose your own adventure” approach to location. Need to be in the heart of downtown near your project site? Corporate housing has you covered with luxury high-rise options. Prefer a quiet suburban setting near excellent schools for your family? You’ll find corporate housing in residential neighborhoods with great educational options. Working on a long-term project at a corporate campus in a tech corridor? Corporate housing can place you minutes from your workplace, saving valuable commute time.
This location flexibility becomes particularly valuable in 2025’s diverse work environment. Remote workers might prefer vibrant urban neighborhoods with easy access to coffee shops and coworking spaces. Healthcare professionals can find accommodations near medical centers. Teams can be set up in locations near job projects.
Corporate housing adapts to your needs rather than requiring you to adapt to location limitations.
Extended-stay hotels, by contrast, typically cluster in predictable locations – near airports, along major highways, or in business districts. While these locations might work for short-term business travelers, they often fall short for longer-term stays where location preferences become more nuanced and personal.
Whether you choose an urban, suburban, or somewhere in-between location, you’ll find easier access to the amenities that make daily life more manageable during an extended stay.
For some, being part of a community means experiencing what their temporary neighborhood has to offer. Access to dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation is key. Finding a means to unwind and relax after work makes for more constructive working hours. Dinner at a local eatery, a little shopping or browsing therapy, stopping at the corner bar for a glass of wine and live music, or renting a bicycle to ride through the neighborhood all provide invaluable benefits during a temporary stay. Residents should live and feel like a local.
One of the greatest benefits of corporate housing is having room to move, relax and live.
When it comes to living space, industry data from STR (Smith Travel Research) shows that extended-stay hotels average 365 square feet, while standard hotel rooms typically offer only 287 square feet. In contrast, corporate housing apartments provide an average of 750+ square feet of thoughtfully designed living space.
This significant difference in size translates into practical, everyday benefits. Rather than trying to work, eat, and relax in one confined space, corporate apartments offer distinct areas for different activities.
A proper corporate housing setup includes:
Corporate housing prides itself on being turnkey ready, allowing individuals and families to only worry about their own personal items when walking through the door. Staff ensure every detail is met prior to resident arrival, including setup of utilities and Wi-Fi.
Full-size kitchens require all the necessities to create home-cooked meals, which is why everything is provided, from the dishes, glasses, and cookware sets to the potholders, pizza cutters, and cutting boards. Home away from home is not a cliché with corporate housing; it’s an industry standard.
One of the most significant yet often overlooked differences is the community aspect of corporate housing. Unlike the transient nature of hotel living, corporate housing places you within established residential communities where you can build relationships and establish routines that mirror everyday daily life.
This “local living advantage” manifests in numerous ways. You’ll find yourself shopping at neighborhood markets, discovering local coffee shops, and potentially forming friendships with long-term neighbors. The experience of living in a community rather than just staying in it creates a fundamental difference in how you’ll approach your extended stay.
Common community benefits include:
An added benefit: many corporate housing associates, like the employee-owners at Viciniti, tend to live in the communities of their properties, which means they are familiar with the immediate neighborhoods. As natives of the area, they can provide recommendations, give you a sense of security, and act as the ultimate tour guide.
Amenities at corporate apartments give you all the benefits of staying at a hotel including swimming pools, business centers and fitness facilities. Corporate housing companies generally feature some of the most sought after apartment homes in their respective areas, making a corporate stay feel more like a vacation with resort-style saltwater pools, luxurious cabanas, and rooftop lounges. No more heading to the workout room at dawn to secure one of three treadmills on-site.
If you need to work from home or require a private space for a business meeting, corporate housing apartments offer individual workspaces and private conference rooms, all equipped with Wi-Fi, computers, and other media resources. As for mailings and packages, each community provides mailbox and package delivery, so you’ll never miss an important document or special delivery from Amazon Prime.
When staying at a hotel, space is limited for guests, whether business or personal. If the ability to host guests is a priority, a majority of apartment properties comprise of resident clubhouses, lounges and community kitchens where residents are able to invite business partners, family or friends to gather.
As for extended family, corporate housing is pet-friendly, with housing communities that include dog parks and on-site dog washes. Each property has different pet restrictions and rules, but for the most part, your entire family is welcome during your stay.
The bottom line is the bottom line no matter if it belongs to you or your employer. The end goal for temporary housing is to meet budget expectations and save money in the long run.
According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), while extended-stay hotels might appear less expensive at first glance, the reality of long-term costs tells a different story. According to Christopher Elliott, hidden hotel fees are back with a vengeance, and they all add up! Many of the hidden hotel fees, include:
Then you have these additional expenses to consider:
Conversely, corporate housing provides transparent, all-inclusive rates and specifics on housing add-ons or additional costs. No hidden fees mean no surprises.
A typical corporate housing package includes:
Other obvious means of keeping to a budget are the ability to cook and do laundry in the comfort of your apartment home. Full kitchens and cookware allow for the purchase of groceries and creating home-cooked meals instead of the added expense of eating out every meal. In-apartment washers and dryers are convenient, timely and avoid the cost of on-site coin-operated machines or local laundromats. The little things are not so little when it comes to saving money or maintaining personal comfort.
The level of support you receive can make or break your extended stay experience. Modern corporate housing has evolved to provide comprehensive support systems that go well beyond traditional property management. Your experience begins with a thorough orientation to both your apartment and the surrounding neighborhood, ensuring you feel at home from day one.
The support structure typically includes:
This robust support system starkly contrasts the more limited services available in extended-stay hotels, where staff turnover can be high and personal attention often minimal.
When deciding between corporate housing and an extended-stay hotel, consider your specific needs and circumstances. Corporate housing shines as a solution when your stay extends beyond 30 days and you value a more residential experience. The decision becomes particularly clear when you need to maintain normal daily routines, work remotely, or accommodate family members or pets.
Consider these scenarios where corporate housing typically provides the best solution:
However, extended-stay hotels might be more suitable if your situation involves:
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) consistently shows that environment significantly affects both productivity and overall well-being during extended stays, with their 2024 study indicating up to a 25% increase in productivity for employees in home-like environments. Corporate housing creates an atmosphere supporting professional success and personal comfort through thoughtfully designed spaces and community integration.
Key benefits to well-being include:
The benefits of corporate housing are more than a list of amenities and perks. What it comes down to is lifestyle. Relocating either for work or personal reasons shouldn’t mean giving up your accustomed way of living. If anything, relocating should be a smooth lifestyle transition complete with day-to-day conveniences and a few added bonuses. That is what corporate housing strives to accomplish.
At the end of the day, corporate housing offers added value for both the employer and resident. By providing all-inclusive rates, a variety of locations and properties, high quality amenities and people-first service, an environment of work productivity and stress-free living is created and amplified. Instead of trying to imagine the differences between a hotel and corporate housing, imagine home cooked meals in your own kitchen, walking your dog in a nearby park, lounging by the pool or becoming part of a community. Your next relocation or temporary assignment shouldn’t mean a change in lifestyle, it should be an extension of the life you love to live.
Making the right choice for extended-stay accommodation is crucial for your comfort and success. At Viciniti, we understand that choosing the right temporary housing solution involves careful consideration of multiple factors. Our nearly 35 years of experience in corporate housing solutions has taught us that each situation is unique and deserves personalized attention.
Whether you’re planning a work assignment, managing a relocation, or seeking temporary housing for any other reason, we’re here to help you understand your options and find the perfect solution for your needs. Contact us to learn more about corporate housing opportunities in your desired location and how we can help make your extended stay feel more like home.
About Viciniti: With nearly 35 years of experience in corporate housing solutions and named CHPA’s 2024 Company of the Year, Viciniti understands the unique needs of extended-stay guests. Our commitment to exceptional service and comfortable, home-like environments has made us a trusted partner in temporary housing solutions.
About the Author: Lynda Najera, CCHP, is the Vice President of Viciniti and has vast experience in corporate housing. She has been with the company since 1991, working as part of a team of professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional service and value in the corporate housing industry.
