Designing Long-Stay Rates for Serviced Residences
Still quoting long stays as the nightly rate times the number of nights? Setting the base rate separately from cleaning and utilities means fewer disputes.
2026.10.26
Inquiries from guests wanting to stay more than a week are on the rise, but quoting the nightly rate multiplied by the number of nights puts guests off, and if you start negotiating terms yourself, the price ends up different for every inquiry. Answering without having settled how often cleaning is done or who pays for electricity and water can even lead to disputes after check-in.
๐ How long-stay demand differs
Unlike typical one-night demand, long stays are reportedly often about daily living, such as business trips, preparing for a move or project assignments. That is why cooking, laundry and storage become the deciding factors rather than the bed or location, and guests tend to compare the total cost of the stay rather than the daily rate.
๐งพ Split the rate into a base rate and additional items
Item | Design options | What to decide in advance |
Base rate | Based on nightly rate, or flat weekly/monthly rate | Rate per period โโ |
Cleaning | Included in rate, added per cycle, or paid on request | Frequency and scope |
Utilities | Included in rate, flat fee, or actual-cost settlement | Handling when the limit is exceeded |
Deposit | Collected or not collected | When and under what conditions it is returned |
Early check-out | Settlement of the remaining period | Settlement basis โโ |
Whichever approach you choose, communicating it with the same wording before booking reduces disagreements after check-in.
๐งญ What to check when listing on OTAs
Support for long-stay products may differ by platform. Check with each channel whether you can enter weekly or monthly rates, set a minimum stay, and show cleaning and utilities separately. Including channels such as Tripbtoz, an OTA built around video reviews, it is safest to ask each one what types of products can be listed. The scope for operating long stays may vary depending on your license and permitted use, such as a serviced residence business, so be sure to check with your local authority.
โ Amenity information checklist
Cooking: whether cookware and tableware are provided, and rules for using fire/stoves
Laundry: location of the washer and dryer and how to use them
Storage: closets, shelves and other storage space
Cleaning frequency and how bedding and towels are changed
How utilities are handled and when they are settled
Parking and waste sorting rules
Visitor access and noise rules
Wi-Fi and workspace
Putting the checklist in the same order on your listing page and in your booking confirmation makes handling inquiries much easier. Start by creating a one-page table of your base rate and additional items.