Extended Stay Hotels

Image courtesy Fords Colony Marriott in Williamsburg, VA

What to Look for Physically in Your Room for an Extended Stay

I recommend checking to see that your hotel has the following:

• Couch

• Desk

• Dishwasher

• Microwave

• Refrigerator/freezer (& be sure to check for or ask about the size),

• Stove/oven

Even if not standard, sometimes hotels can provide items (i.e. portable kitchen items) to your room at no cost to you.

What to Look for in Your Hotel for an Extended Stay

• Bike, local transit pass, or other transportation amenity if not renting a car

• Business area (some of these are a lot better than others)

• Laundry on site (check on cost) if not in your room

• Wifi (& cost, if not free)

Reviews

I also recommend checking reviews on Tripadvisor & especially Google Maps rather than the hotel's website when finalizing a decision between differing options. Look for the place with the most reviews, but keep in mind that the hotel may be driving customers to review them on that location.

Club Level

Club level (concierge level with Marriott) is another factor to consider, especially if you have status with a chain or could attain the status needed for free access. In upper-end hotels, club level could mean 3 meals a day. While they typically advertise breakfast and snacks but don't advertise lunch or dinner, see my review of an upper-end hotel (Ritz Carlton Central Park) that didn't advertise either lunch or dinner but had fantastic meal options in each case. Be sure to watch out for some that are closed on weekends and holidays. Even low end Ritz Carlton properties that have lounges typically are ones that you could get 3 meals out of (i.e. the one I went to in Tysons Corner, which is available at times with 35k point certificates, unlike most Ritz Carltons that are unavailable for that low a # of points).

Status

[even if you don't already have status, for most of these options, there are credit cards that can get you status with the hotel chain almost immediately if not immediately, which can be very valuable prior to a stay (potentially saving you hundreds or thousands). The only status that Adam has with hotels is through credit cards, not by meeting the usual stay requirements (I have Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold, etc. as of February 2021. With that status I get extra perks, depending on the brand, property, and status level. The best status I have from a credit card is Hyatt Globalist status, which gives free breakfast at most brand locations that don't include it as standard or free club lounge access and space-available upgrades up to standard suites. While I don't have it, there are solid ways of getting Hilton Diamond status through credit cards and many other options unmentioned - let me know if you'd like to know more about obtaining status through credit cards)]

There are also solid options with points & free night certificates in many areas including SE VA like the Fords Colony Marriott in peak season & 2 bedroom options with Choice in Williamsburg as well.

Hotel Brands within Brands Good for Extended Stays:

Marriott

1. Residence Inn by Marriott​ (free breakfast & full-sized refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffeemaker - 1 client of mine enjoyed his stay here near Patrick Henry Mall)

2. Towneplace Suites by Marriott (free breakfast; full sized appliances, cookware, dishes)

3. Element by Marriott (Hampton Peninsula Towne Center only - microwave, silverware, dishes & glasses, pantry, kitchenette, basic rooms have mini-fridge but studios and suites have full refrigerators & dishwashers)

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites (free breakfast, minifridge & microwave)

5. Springhill Suites (free breakfast, minifridge & microwave)

6. Marriott Vacation Club - Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony in Williamsburg only, which my wife & I have enjoyed (we have tried the villa & the guest room), offers good amenities for extended stay if opting for the 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom villa (the guest room that is not a villa doesn't offer a full kitchen, but still offers a microwave & minifridge)

7. Marriotts with Concierge Levels if you have free access via status or think an upcharge for it would be worthwhile. Examples include Newport News Marriott at City Center, Sheraton Norfolk Waterside

Choice

Comfort Suites​ (free breakfast & includes sofa bed, microwave, & refrigerator).

See also 2-4 bedroom suites, many with kitchens, among Ascent Collection Hotels

IHG

1. Candlewood Suites​ (paid breakfast available; offer fridge, stovetop, microwave, & dishwasher)

2. Staybridge Suites (free breakfast; offer cooktop stove, microwave, full refrigerator and dishwasher )

Hilton

1. Homewood Suites​ (Free breakfast - Williamsburg, Greenbrier, & near ORF (Norfolk/Virginia Beach))

2. Hiltons with a Club lounge if you have free access or would prefer to pay extra for it like Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Hilton Norfolk the Main, etc.

Hyatt House

1. Hyatt (Hyatt House in Virginia Beach is ideal among Hyatts if you are looking to be in VB due to the kitchennette, with low $ rates in the Winter)

SE VA Hotel Examples

Low End

Weekly rates starting at $240. See examples in Hampton Roads here, but be sure to check the reviews. For instance, they have locations in Newport News (is 3.3/5), Hampton (1.9/5), Norfolk (1.5/5 review on Expedia), & 3 in Chesapeake starting at $230 (Sun Suites 2.8/5). Also availability can be limited. The Mulberry Inn is an additional option with better reviews than any of those options while not being much more expensive than them. Extended Stay America has cheaper rates for those staying 60 nights & more.

Middle & Upper End Hotels

See my article on the subject here.

Related:

1. Best Points Options for BNB's

2. SE VA Points/Certificate Options when considering Hotels, with emphasis on value per point