Your Guide to Temporary Housing for Work Travel

Planning a business trip is hard enough, so finding a place to stay shouldn’t be.

Whether you’re relocating for a few months or heading to another city for a short-term project, your housing plays a big role in how smooth (or stressful) the experience feels.

And with so many temporary housing options out there, from hotels to furnished apartments to vacation rentals, it can be hard to know which one makes the most sense for your trip.

At Compass Furnished Apartments, we’ve helped thousands of professionals and companies find the right space to stay productive, comfortable, and supported across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common options for temporary housing, their pros and cons, and how to choose what works best for your business trip.

What Counts as Temporary Housing for Business Trips?

Temporary housing typically refers to stays between 7 and 90 days. It’s longer than a hotel visit, but not a permanent move, and it’s especially common for corporate travel, relocations, and short-term work assignments.

Common types of temporary housing include:

• Hotels
• Vacation rentals (like Airbnb)
• Extended stay hotels
• Furnished corporate apartments

Each of these options comes with its own trade-offs in terms of cost, space, flexibility, and comfort. Let’s break them down.

Hotels are convenient, but costly over time

If your trip is only a few days long, a hotel might make sense. You’ll get daily housekeeping, a front desk team, and maybe a rewards program to rack up points. But for anything beyond a week, the cracks start to show.

Hotel rooms tend to be small, and without a kitchen or laundry, you’ll spend more time (and money) eating out or getting your clothes cleaned.

Add in the cost, especially in cities like Boston or New York, and hotels can quickly become the most expensive option for longer stays.

We often hear from guests who start in a hotel and end up moving to Compass because they need more space and fewer distractions. When your hotel room doubles as your office, kitchen, and living room, productivity takes a hit.

Need a space that feels like home but works like an office? Explore Compass apartments near you and find your perfect fit.

Vacation Rentals can be hit-or-miss for business travel

Vacation rentals can offer a cozy, home-like feel, and they’re often located in unique neighborhoods. But when you’re traveling for work, consistency matters.

One week you might get a beautiful space with everything you need. The next week? Spotty Wi-Fi, a broken coffee maker, or a host that’s hard to reach.

Unlike professionally managed corporate housing, vacation rentals often come with surprise fees and limited support. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own.

We’ve heard questions like: “Are there better options than Furnished Finder or Airbnb?” And the answer is yes. For business travel, a professionally managed apartment (like ours) gives you the comfort of a home with the reliability of a hotel.

Extended Stay Hotels

Extended stay hotels are designed for longer visits and often include kitchenettes, weekly cleaning, and discounted rates for multi-night bookings.

They can be a decent option if you want hotel services with a little more room to breathe, but the setup still feels like a hotel. If you’re staying longer than two or three weeks, many travelers find themselves craving more space, more privacy, and a real place to decompress at the end of the day.

Furnished Corporate Apartments

This is where Compass shines. Our furnished apartments are designed for business travelers who need the flexibility of a hotel, the comfort of a home, and the support of a dedicated team.

Each apartment comes fully furnished and move-in ready, with everything from high-speed Wi-Fi to cookware to in-unit laundry. You get:

• A real kitchen (so you’re not living on takeout)
• A desk or designated workspace
• Reliable Wi-Fi and quiet surroundings
• Laundry in-unit or onsite
• Transparent, all-in-one pricing
• Flexible lease terms
• 24/7 guest support

We offer corporate housing in top business hubs like Stamford, New Haven, Boston, and White Plains. And if your plans change, no problem. Our team will work with you to adjust your stay.

Have questions about availability, pricing, or lease terms? Reach out to our team—we’re here to help you plan with confidence.

Hotel vs Vacation Rental vs Corporate Apartment

How Compass Supports Business Travelers

We know business travel doesn’t follow a perfect script. Projects get extended. Start dates shift. Plans change. That’s why we’ve built flexibility into everything we do.

Our apartments are fully equipped from day one. No setup, no errands, no surprise costs. You walk in, unpack, and get to work. Need to extend your stay or leave early? We’ll help you adjust without penalties or red tape.

Most of our business guests stay 30 to 90 days, and the most-requested amenities are fast Wi-Fi, a quiet workspace, laundry, and proximity to offices, hospitals, and transit. We check every box.

How to Choose the Right Housing for Your Trip

Still deciding? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

How long is your trip?

• Less than a week? A hotel could work.
• More than 7 days? Look into furnished apartments.

Will you need to cook or do laundry?

• If yes, cross hotels off the list.

Do your plans require flexibility?

• Choose a provider who can accommodate changes without hassle.

Need to focus and work from home?

• Look for a quiet space with a real desk, reliable internet, and minimal interruptions.

When you need more than just a bed, a furnished apartment gives you the breathing room to actually enjoy your stay and get your work done.

When work takes you on the road, you deserve housing that works just as hard as you do. Request a personalized quote to get started.

Ready to Book?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to business travel. But if you’re looking for short-term housing that’s flexible, comfortable, and designed for professionals, corporate housing is often the smartest move.

Browse our available properties, explore our business travel solutions, or contact us to find the right fit for your next trip.

About The Author

Lauren

Lauren, a passionate marketing professional from Vancouver, Canada, has an insatiable love for travel. Whether it’s camping off the grid in a secluded forest or enjoying the bustling streets of Manhattan, New York, she embraces every adventure with enthusiasm.