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Definitions of Extended Stay Terms |
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Many of our users ask "What is corporate housing?" or "What is a
serviced apartment?" Biz-stay.com's directory covers the entire world, and many terms are unique to
their own regions. While using our global extended stay directory you may encounter terms
that are unclear. This glossary provides a detailed list of
extended stay terms, and their definitions. If we have missed any, please feel free to contact
Customer Service for assistance. |
1-bedroom apartment
An apartment with a bedroom separate from the living/dining room
1-bedroom suite
A suite with a bedroom separate from the living/dining room
2-bedroom apartment
An apartment with two bedrooms separate from the living/dining room. Upscale apartments also have 2 bathrooms.
2-bedroom suite
A suite with two bedrooms separate from the living/dining room. Upscale suites also have 2 bathrooms.
All-suite hotel
A hotel where all guestrooms are considered suites. These could be extended stay hotels. (See our
extended stay chain guide for a complete list.) Or non-extended
stay suite hotels. These are often referred to as "Suite Hotels" in our directory. For a comparison of features at 17 popular suite hotel
chains, see our suite hotel guide. In this category, we also include chains
with a mix of suites and non-suites.
Aparthotel or Apart hotel
Same as an apartment hotel. This term is popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
Apartment
Contains a full kitchen, dining area, and living area, with at least one sleeping area and bathroom. Apartments share
walls with other apartments, and usually have another apartment above and/or below.
Apartment hotel
Apartment hotels are popular in Europe,
Australia, New Zealand,
Canada,
South America, and in a few cities of the United States
(e.g. Manhattan &
Washington DC).
They are essentially the same as extended stay hotels. One difference is that apartment hotels
are usually found in major city centers and resort areas, and do not always offer extended stay discounts.
Apartment hotels are especially plentiful in London,
Edinburgh, Paris,
Brussels, Prague,
Barcelona, Madrid,
Bangkok, Manila,
Sydney,
Melbourne,
Adelaide,
Brisbane,
Canberra,
Perth,
Auckland,
Ottawa, Toronto,
Vancouver, Montreal,
Lima, Santiago,
Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.
Condo
Abbreviation for condominium
Condo hotel or Condotel
Same as an apartment hotel. This term is popular in resort areas, e.g.
Costa del Sol Spain, Gold Coast Australia,
Orlando Florida, Disney World,
Miami Beach,
Las Vegas and Honolulu.
Condominium
Same as an apartment, but the word "condominium" is used more in resort areas
Convertible
A suite or apartment where a moveable wall can be used to separate the sleeping area from the living/dining area,
creating a separate bedroom (i.e. converting the unit from a studio to a 1-bedroom)
Corporate apartment
Corporate housing in an apartment
Corporate housing
The term corporate housing is popular in the US and Canada, and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. It refers to a furnished apartment
(occasionally a town house or detached home) set up with telephone service, utilities and usually cable TV.
Corporate housing is available for extended stays, usually with a 30-day minimum. Often housekeeping service (i.e. maid service) is provided, or
can be arranged at an additional cost. Apartments in suburban areas are often located in large developments with many resort-style amenities, such
as swimming pools, tennis courts, community center, and fitness room. Many apartments are equipped with a washer/dryer. Others have a laundromat
onsite. Garage parking is occasionally available.
Corporate suite
Corporate housing in an apartment
Efficiency
An efficiency is a studio apartment or 1-room hotel suite, with a Kitchenette
Ensuite
This term (common in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) indicates that a hotel room includes private toilet/bath facilities. This is the standard for
all hotels listed on Biz-stay.com. Notice is given in the rare cases that bathrooms are shared.
Evening reception
(Also known as Manager's Reception) Usually available Monday (or Tuesday) through Thursday at upscale extended stay hotels, such as Element, Residence Inn,
Homewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Hyatt House & Hawthorn Suites. Complimentary manager's receptions are also available at Embassy
Suites. Service consists of beverages (including beer and wine), snacks and light entrée items.
Extended stay
An "extended stay" usually applies to stays of at least 5 or 7 nights, depending on the hotel. Extended stay discounts usually are in the form of
weekly rates, and monthly rates, which are discounted even more. The term "extended stay" can refer to any long stay,
up to one year. Those who reserve extended stays are typically engaged in business far from home (e.g. consultants), or are in need of
temporary housing for a relocation, or while their own home is being renovated.
Extended stay hotel
The term extended stay hotel is popular in the US & Canada, and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. Extended stay hotels vary considerably in
their room types and amenities. However, they always have guest laundry facilities onsite, guestrooms (i.e. "suites") with
full kitchens (equipped with kitchen wares), and offer discounts for extended stays. Some extended stay
hotels have only studio suites, while others offer larger 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom/2-bathroom suites. Available amenities
can include free breakfast buffets, evening receptions or grocery shopping service. Housekeeping service can range from once per week to daily.
For a comparison of features at extended stay hotel chains, see our extended stay chain guide.
Extended stay motel
The term "motel" originated in the early 20th century, meaning a hotel located near a major motorway (i.e. MOtor hoTEL), with a layout that
permits parking near the door. In this sense, many extended stay hotels in the US & Canada can also be considered to be
extended stay "motels". Notable exceptions would be the upscale extended stay hotels located in major urban centers.
Extended stay suite
Extended stay suites are a special type of suite. They vary widely in their features, but all have
full kitchens. For a comparison of suite features at extended stay hotel chains, see our
extended stay chain guide.
Flat
This term is popular in the UK and Ireland. A flat is the same as an apartment.
Full kitchen
A full kitchen includes a sink, microwave oven, stovetop, and full-size refrigerator. Occasionally, a dishwasher and conventional oven are also
included. Kitchens in extended stay hotels and furnished apartments are almost always equipped with
cooking & eating utensils, dishware and small appliances such a toaster, blender or coffee maker.
Furnished apartment
An apartment that includes furniture, appliances, television, telephone, bed(s), dining set, kitchen wares, towels
and linens. Often furnishings also include a clothes washer/dryer, stereo, VCR, or DVD player.
Holiday rental
Same as a vacation rental. This term is common among English speakers outside the US & Canada.
HSIA
High-Speed Internet Access, can be either wired or wireless in suites/apartments. Wireless broadband Internet access is often available in hotels'
public spaces also.
Interim housing
Same as corporate housing, for stays of less than 1 year
Kitchen
Can mean either a full kitchen or a kitchenette
Kitchenette
A kitchenette is sometimes a small version of a full kitchen, with the same facilities; and other times a more
limited arrangement, with just a sink (or "wet bar"), small refrigerator and a microwave oven.
Long stay
Same as extended stay. Note, a "long stay" in a hotel is usually shorter than a "short term" stay in
temporary housing.
Long stay hotel
Same as extended stay hotel
Minibar
A mini refrigerator in a hotel room containing snacks and cold beverages. Items consumed are charged to the hotel bill.
Residential hotel
Same as an apartment hotel, almost always offering extended stay rates
Self-catering
This term is popular in the UK,
Ireland, South Africa,
Australia & New Zealand.
It usually refers to a
vacation rental, but can be any furnished apartment.
Service apartment
Same as a serviced apartment. This term is popular in
East Asia.
Serviced apartment
This term is popular in Europe,
South Africa, UAE,
South Asia, East Asia,
Australia & New Zealand.
Serviced apartments can either be corporate housing (with frequent
housekeeping) or serviced apartment hotels. Typical minimum stay lengths vary. In
Singapore, Tokyo and
Dubai, the
minimum is usually 7 days. In Hong Kong and
Kuala Lumpur, 30 days is the norm. In other areas, such as
Bangkok, Manila,
Seoul, Australia and
New Zealand, there is often no
minimum stay. In the UK and Shanghai,
there are a mix of serviced apartments with no minimum stay and with seven-day (or longer) minimums.
Serviced apartment hotel
Same as an apartment hotel. Serviced apartment hotels in most parts of the world have quality comparable to the best
extended stay hotels in the US.
Serviced residence
Same as a serviced apartment, but in rare cases could be a town house or detached home (instead
of an apartment
Short term housing
Same as corporate housing, for stays of less than 1 year (though a 30-day minimum is common in the US and elsewhere)
Sport court
Usually available in upscale extended stay hotels, such as Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Staybridge Suites. Consists of a half
basketball court. A net is also available for racquet games.
Studio
A type of suite or apartment with living/dining and sleeping areas combined in one large room.
Furnished apartment studios and studios in extended stay hotels have a
full kitchen in the living/dining area also. Non-extended stay studios usually have just a kitchenette.
Studios are especially well suited to those who like a feeling of openness.
Suite
A guestroom with features not normally found in a typical hotel room. These usually include separate sitting/dining areas and/or a
kitchenette. Other than extended stay suites, suites' kitchenettes usually are limited
to a microwave oven,
mini refrigerator, and sometimes a wet bar. Suites often have one or more bedrooms separated from the living/dining room. Some suites offer
large whirlpool tubs. These are often referred to as "Jacuzzi suites" or "spa suites". Note that the term "suite" does not always indicate a
greater degree of luxury, and a standard room at a 4-star hotel is nearly always more luxurious than a "suite" at a budget hotel.
Suite hotel
Biz-stay.com's directory includes all-suite hotels, and hotels that have a mix of standard rooms and suites
Temporary housing
Same as corporate housing, for stays of less than 1 year (though a 30-day minimum is common in the US and elsewhere)
Townhouse (or Townhome)
The same as an apartment, except there are no other units above or below. Townhomes often have private attached parking garages.
Vacation rental
Usually a privately-owned furnished apartment, townhome or cottage. Vacation rentals can be in large-scale
resort communities or in quiet countryside locations. They are also found in popular urban tourist destinations, e.g.
Las Vegas and London.
Vacation rentals usually have a 2 or 3-day minimum stay, sometimes longer during holiday periods. Vacation rentals typically provide discounts
to guests who rent by the week. They are not intended to serve longer extended stay customers. But owners are usually
very willing to accommodate such requests, and substantial discounts can be negotiated.
Villa
A term used in resort areas (especially in Florida,
Las Vegas and
Arizona), usually the same as an apartment or a
town house. Occasionally a villa refers to a detached home, especially in Italy.
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Corporate Housing •
Serviced Apartments •
Self Catering • Long-Stay Motels
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Extended Stay Hotels •
All-Suite Hotels •
Furnished Apartments
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136 countries •
18,000 listings
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