The difference between monthly apartments and business hotels | Which is better value, a monthly apartment or a hotel's long-stay plan?
For people who need a temporary place to stay for a business trip or for temporary housing, the usual choices in the past were "monthly apartments for long-term stays" and "business hotels for a few days." However, recently a third option has emerged: "business hotel long-stay plans," which allow guests to stay at business hotels for periods of several weeks.
In this article, we will refer to long-stay plans at business hotels as "monthly hotels," compare the features of monthly apartments, business hotels, and monthly hotels, and introduce some tips for finding a place to stay that suits you based on your length of stay and purpose.
Overview of Monthly Apartments, Business Hotels, and Monthly Hotels
What is a Monthly Apartment?
A monthly apartment is an apartment for short-term stays of 30 days (1 month) to several months. There are no initial costs, the furniture and appliances are included, and the contract is simple, so you can move in immediately when you need it without the hassle of moving. They are used for a variety of purposes by both individuals and corporations, such as business trips, temporary housing, and exam preparation.
- Main uses for monthly apartments: business trips, temporary housing, long-term tourism, exams, etc.
What is a business hotel?
Business hotels are accommodations aimed at short-term business trips and tourists. They can be booked on an overnight basis, and often come equipped with amenities and comprehensive support such as cleaning and room service. However, they often lack storage space or kitchen facilities, making them inconvenient for long-term stays.
- Main uses of business hotels: short-term business trips, travel, and sudden overnight stays
What is a Monthly Hotel?
Business hotels are accommodations aimed at short-term business trips and tourists. They can be booked on an overnight basis, and often come equipped with amenities and comprehensive support such as cleaning and room service. However, they often lack storage space or kitchen facilities, making them inconvenient for long-term stays.
They are often cheaper than regular hotels, and are similar to monthly apartments in that they can be easily used without a deposit or key money. They are beginning to be used in a variety of situations, such as for travel, workcations, and business, and are expected to become an increasingly established option in the future.
- Main uses of monthly hotels: For business trips lasting a few weeks to a month, as temporary housing before or after moving, as a new lifestyle
Compare by cost
Monthly apartments have contracts starting from 30 days (1 month), so you pay rent according to the number of months you use the apartment. If you want to stop using the apartment midway through the month or extend the term, you will pay a pro rata amount for the number of days you use the apartment.
Business hotels are charged on a daily basis, and you pay according to the number of days you stay. The amount varies depending on the season and location, but if you plan to stay for a month or more, a monthly apartment will be cheaper.
The cost of a monthly hotel varies depending on the grade of the hotel and the accommodation system, but in any case, it is cheaper than staying at the same hotel one night, and if you stay for a month or more, the cost is roughly the same as a monthly apartment.
| Accommodation | Price Meyasu |
|---|---|
| Monthly apartment | Monthly fee: around 175,000 yen |
| Business Hotels | Around 10,000 yen per night |
| Monthly Hotel | Monthly fee: around 150,000 yen |
In terms of cost, if you are staying for a very short period of time, a business hotel is cheaper, while if you are staying for a month, a monthly hotel or monthly apartment is cheaper. On top of that, the choice between a monthly hotel and a monthly apartment depends on the type of lifestyle you want to have during your stay.
Compare facilities and livability
Meals
The meals offered at monthly apartments and business hotels are also different. Monthly apartments have kitchens, so you can cook your own meals just like you would at home and save on food costs. However, most do not offer plans that include meals.
Business hotels generally do not have kitchens, so they are not designed for guests to cook for themselves. Even if you are staying for a long time, you will have to choose a plan that includes meals, buy bento boxes from convenience stores or supermarkets, or eat out.
Regarding laundry and cleaning
A monthly apartment is a room in a regular rental apartment, so you will need to do your own cleaning and laundry. However, you can relax and enjoy the feeling of being at home.
Business hotels include room cleaning and bed making services, so you can stay in a tidy environment without having to clean up after yourself. Monthly hotels are different from regular plans in that the frequency of changing sheets and cleaning is often adjusted. It depends on the hotel, but the average is about once every 3 days to once a week.
For laundry, both business hotels and monthly hotels have their own cleaning services or you can use a coin laundry. Monthly apartments come equipped with washing machines, so you can do your laundry just like you would at home.
For reference, the difference in cost per month if you wash every day is as follows:
| Accommodation | Price Meyasu | |
|---|---|---|
| One-time fee | 200 yen (30 minutes) | 40円 |
| Per day | 200円 | 40円 |
| Per month | 6,000円 | 1,200円 |
Visitors and accommodation rules
Is it okay to invite close friends, lovers, family members, etc. to a business hotel or monthly apartment room?
In business hotels, it is not allowed to invite people other than guests to your room. Hotel rates are determined by the number of people staying, so if the number of people staying exceeds the limit, it is likely that you will be violating the rules. Also, even if you are staying alone in a twin double room, there are cases where visitors will not be allowed unless you request it.
In the case of monthly apartments, it is generally OK to invite acquaintances into your room. However, if you are planning on having them stay overnight, you must check with the management company in advance. Even if you have signed a contract stating that you will be using the apartment alone, if you let acquaintances stay overnight multiple times without permission, this will be a breach of contract, so be sure to contact the management company.
Summary of recommended places to stay by occasion
In terms of cost, if you are staying for a few days, a business hotel is recommended, but if you are staying for a month or more, a monthly apartment or hotel is recommended. Choose the better option by considering the ease of booking and your lifestyle during your stay.
- Monthly apartments: for long-term stays and living like at home
- If you're looking for a short stay or convenience, choose a business hotel
- If you want to enjoy the comfort of a hotel during your mid-term stay, choose a "Monthly Hotel"
For monthly apartments, choose "Livemax"
We live in an age where there are a wide variety of options for accommodation other than your own home, but monthly apartments, which allow you to rent a regular rental apartment for a short period of time, continue to be used in a variety of situations.
If you think a monthly apartment might be a good fit for your stay, please feel free to contact us.
Livemax Monthly Apartment has over 20,000 rooms in major cities around the country, all of which are conveniently located, based on our own market research. We also offer special seasonal plans and campaigns.
