Extended Stay vs Traditional Hotels for Project Crews

Project managers often ask a simple question with a complicated answer. Should we place the crew in an extended stay hotel or a traditional select service property

The right answer depends on length of stay, crew behavior, local supply, and budget.

When extended stay hotels shine

Extended stay brands are built for crews that settle in for weeks at a time. Rooms usually have kitchenettes, more storage, and layouts that feel less like a one night stay.

• Crews that cook in their rooms and stay for multiple pay periods.
• Projects in remote areas where eating out is expensive or limited.
• Long stretches of stable occupancy that the hotel can plan around.

These properties often deliver lower total cost per stay when you factor in meals, laundry, and comfort.

When traditional hotels still win

For shorter projects, heavy weekend turnover, or city center work, a traditional select service hotel may be the better fit. These properties often have stronger loyalty benefits, more central locations, and better public space.

They can work well when:

• The crew only stays for a few nights at a time.
• Travelers value loyalty points and brand recognition.
• Restaurants and services are close by.

You do not have to choose one forever

Many companies use a mix of both. They place core long stay staff in extended stay properties and use select service hotels for visiting supervisors, vendors, or overflow demand.

HotelHuddle supports both models. You describe your crew profile and stay pattern, and hotels of different types can respond with bids. That gives you real data on the trade offs instead of guessing from a rate sheet.