We often see movies and television shows that portray people living in hotels.
It can seem fun in theory, but is it possible?
Whether you are just curious or you are considering living in a hotel yourself, you might be wondering whether you can actually live in a hotel.
Let’s discuss what you need to know about living in a hotel and whether you can in fact do so.
Can You Live In A Hotel?
Yes, you can live in a hotel.
Many people live in hotels as their primary residence.
You will just have to check with the hotel prior to planning on moving in and make sure that they do allow people to be permanent residents at their location.
You will also need to ensure that there are no local regulations against you living in a hotel.
If the hotel is okay with it and there are no regulations against it, then you can live in a hotel.
Is Living In A Hotel Cheaper Than Renting?
Living in a hotel can be cheaper than renting an apartment or house, but this solely depends on where you live and the hotel itself.
It can be as expensive as you choose for it to be.
Living in areas that are touristy or are in high demand for people visiting will lead to higher prices on the hotel per night.
It is important to calculate the cost per night of the hotel you want to live in to compare it to the cost of a place you are renting.
According to Bloomberg, Hotels.com has seen a 15% increase in hotel rates since 2019.
This means that living in a hotel could become increasingly expensive.
Something you can also consider is that you will save money on electricity, gas, water, and furnishings for a place.
These costs can significantly impact the comparison of renting versus living in a hotel.
You will also want to consider the fact that you can use the amenities of the hotel such as the swimming pool and gym.
This can eliminate those added costs if it is something you pay for.
How Much Does It Cost to Live In A Hotel?
It can be very expensive to live in a hotel if you are choosing to live in a luxurious hotel in a nice location.
Even a hotel that costs $150 per night will add up to approximately $4,500 per month.
This is a significant amount of money to spend on living expenses.
For some people, this may be a feasible amount to spend every month or even potentially more.
However, many people may choose to live in a hotel for short periods of time and maintain a home base due to the cost.
Can You Live In A Hotel Indefinitely?
Depending on the hotel, you may be able to live in a hotel indefinitely.
Hotels may have limits on how long you can stay which would lead to you only being able to stay for a certain amount of time.
However, if a hotel is aware you plan to live there indefinitely and they are okay with it, then you can stay as long as you like.
It is also important to be aware of local regulations about residing in a hotel long-term as these can affect you living in a hotel for extended periods.
Is Living In A Hotel Worth It?
Living in a hotel can be a worthwhile experience for some people depending on what you are wanting to get out of it.
Although living in a hotel can be more expensive than renting a home or apartment, it can also provide the opportunity to move frequently to any place around the world.
For those people who work in a career in which they can travel, living in a hotel is an ideal experience.
Hotel living allows you the opportunity to live in places where you would not necessarily buy or rent a room.
Some people also enjoy the added amenities of living in a hotel such as a cleaning service daily, an on-site gym, and room service.
These are not things that you typically get when you rent somewhere, so sometimes the amenities are enough to make it worth it.
Is Living In A Hotel Easy?
The lifestyle of living in a hotel can seem easier to some people than renting or buying a home.
There is less commitment when living in a hotel.
By living in a hotel, you can choose to live in one city for a little while or as long as you wish to do so.
People who want to be able to get up and go whenever they choose will enjoy the ability to not have to commit to a certain location for a specific length of time.
Living in a hotel can also be easier because you will have amenities at your fingertips.
You also will not have to worry about cleaning, purchasing furnishings for your hotel room, or paying an electric or water bill.
What Should You Know Before You Move Into A Hotel?
Prior to deciding to move into a hotel, there are certain things you should keep in mind when making the decision and before you move in.
One of the most important things is that you will not be able to take every single one of your belongings.
Hotels are already furnished, so if you have a lot of furniture, then you will need to sell it or put it in storage.
Some people prefer to store it in the event they want to move back into a permanent home or rental at some point in the future.
You will also need to figure out what to do with the rest of your belongings.
Outside of furniture, you will most likely not have as much space for your things depending on the space you are moving out of.
If you are planning to travel and live in hotels all over the world, you will need to significantly downsize and have minimal items to travel with.
If you have a pet, you will need to figure out what you are going to do with it.
You may want to choose the hotels in the United States where pets are welcome and it would be no issue for you to bring your pet along with you.
However, if you plan to travel out of the country, then you need to consider whether you will be boarding your animal or employing a pet sitter while you are out of the country.
Prior to moving into a hotel, you need to budget accordingly.
Begin to plan where you want to live and how often you want to travel, if at all.
This will allow you to estimate costs and figure out if you need to spend several months or even a year saving money in order to afford to live in a hotel long-term.
Can You Buy A Hotel Room?
No, you cannot usually buy a hotel room.
Even if you plan to live in a specific hotel indefinitely, you will need to pay the same nightly rate as other guests who may be staying for a couple of nights.
People who live in a hotel room long-term, whether that is months or years, will still not be able to buy out that hotel room.
The only instance where some people have the option to purchase a hotel room is if it is more of a condominium hotel building.
In these cases, people will purchase the condo and either live in it full time themselves or end up renting it out as an Airbnb to others.
What Is The Difference Between A Hotel And A Motel?
The words hotel and motel might be used interchangeably, but there are stark differences between the two.
One of the biggest differences is usually in the location of each and the size.
Hotels tend to be in busier cities and are located close to the city itself.
Motels on the other hand are located on the outskirts of towns in more rural locations.
Hotels are larger and usually enclosed buildings with more room for occupancy whereas motels tend to be smaller with fewer rooms.
The entrances to motel rooms are usually outdoor entrances.
The amenities are another difference between hotels and motels.
Hotels will have more amenities such as continental breakfast, a gym onsite, a swimming pool, and room service.
Motels tend to not have many amenities, if any, and they are intended for quick stays of a night or two.
People will stay in hotels while on vacation to relax and enjoy the amenities.
If you are on a road trip and need a place to stay for a night, then a motel is probably an easier option.
Can A Hotel Kick You Out?
The relationship between a hotel and a guest staying there is somewhat different than the relationship between a landlord and tenant.
A hotel can kick you out, but the means by which they do so will vary by state.
Some states will consider a guest to be a tenant after a certain amount of time which is typically 30 days.
At this point, you may have tenant rights.
It is important to research the laws in your state if you choose to live in a hotel so you know what options hotels have in regards to the management kicking you out.
Pros And Cons Of Living In A Hotel
Although living in a hotel may sound ideal and exciting, it may not be the best choice for everyone.
There are always pros and cons to any living situation and it is best to research and figure out if it is a good option for you.
Pros Of Living In A Hotel
1. Experiencing Different Places
One of the greatest advantages of living in a hotel is getting to experience different parts of the world.
If you have always wanted to travel and move around frequently, then living in a hotel might be perfect for you.
You will not have to commit to a location long-term, and you can move as often as you would like.
2. Amenities
For some people, a hotel will have more amenities than what they would have available to them at a rental for the same amount of money.
Most hotels will have a gym, which can be an expensive monthly charge.
Along with a gym, most hotels will also have a swimming pool, which can be a great amenity for some people.
3. Cleaning And Laundry
A large perk of living in a hotel is that you have a cleaning staff available to clean your hotel room.
You will not have to worry about cleaning your hotel room or doing the laundry.
Many hotels will have a laundry service for your clothing, or they can direct you to a laundry company that will pick up and drop off your laundry.
Cons Of Living In A Hotel
1. No Permanent Residence
When you live in a hotel, you do not have your own personal residence.
For some people, it can be hard to not have a place to come back to when you are wanting to come back to your hometown.
If you are at a point in your life in which you are not sure where you want to be, some people will prefer to have a permanent residence to always return to.
2. Cost
Living in a hotel full time can be more expensive than owning a home or renting a property.
It will depend on where you want to live and what type of hotel you want to live in.
If you are living in an ideal location in a four- or five-star hotel, it can be very costly to live in the hotel long-term.
3. Not Ideal For Families
While living in a hotel can be great for one person or a couple, it is not an ideal situation for families.
This is due to the need for more space if you have children and once children start school then they will not be able to move around frequently any longer.
If you have children or a larger family, then living in a hotel long-term might not be the best living situation.
4. Need Flexible Job
People who choose to live in a hotel typically want to travel more frequently and do not want to be tied to a specific town or city.
Due to wanting to move more, you will need a flexible job unless you plan to live in a hotel in one city for a long time.
It can be difficult to find a job that will allow you to work from anywhere so this can take some planning and time.
Conclusion
Many people may not believe it, but you can live in a hotel for either a short-term or a long-term stay.
There are many pros and cons to living in a hotel, and the lifestyle may not be for everyone.
However, it can provide a great way to travel and see the world without tying yourself down to a specific location.
