The Hotels in Osceola Iowa Blog:
Why Extended Stay Guests Choose Local

A quality extended stay can be a lifeline. Especially if traditional renting isn’t possible when people are in the process of recovering past credit or eviction issues. 

Or when you just need an affordable place to live while searching for the right rental or permanent housing situation that fits the budget and is reliable for meeting longer term needs. 

A lot of people travel for work and depend on being able to access reliable accommodations away from home. Others just like to get off the beaten path, go on mini-vacations, and live adventurous lives. 

Our View From The Jeffreys

At The Jeffreys, we see guests from all different walks of life come through our doors and into our rooms—from nurses and healthcare professionals to food, ag and rail workers, utility and construction crews, Osceola-area newcomers, Clarke County locals in transition, and family units who simply need a steady, comfortable place to land. 

Extended stays serve an important role and no two are exactly the same. What all our guests have in common is a need for housing that is safe, affordable, and welcoming. We know because guests tell us: the smart money is on doing a bit of advance research to find out up front, even it that means calling or walking to see for yourself first.

To find out if what’s being advertised is too good to be true. 

When considering tips to evaluate an extended stay hotel and then digging deeper, it’s not too hard these days to find objective straight talk about people’s familiarity residing in hotels and extended stays, with candid insights and no-nonsense comments regarding pros and cons. Whether you are from Des Moines, another part of Iowa, out of state, or right here in Clarke County or Osceola, people both in the Midwest and all over the country have gone through the experience, and are willing to share publicly. 

For people who may be newer to staying in hotels or traveling for an extended period, leaning what others who have already “been there” have to say about it can be particularly insightful.

Full disclosure: For our part, with large furnished rooms, secure, well-lit grounds, an upbeat staff, professional housekeeping, and location close to Clarke County Hospital and downtown Osceola, our goal is to give every visitor a dependable home base while they focus on the work—or life— that brought them here.

Real Talk On What To Look For In Extended Stays

On sites like Reddit, a social news aggregation and digital forum platform where users learn about topics up for discussion vote on posts to determine their visibility, they function as threads on user-curated online bulletin boards function as dynamic, no-nonsense social hubs. 

Aggregated comments from recent, relevant “iowa hotel” and “extended stay” like threads provide clues for hotel seekers and what guests should look out for. 

1. Extended stay basics

We noted Redditors discussing furnishings expecting at least a bed, small table, and area in the room designed for extended stay staples like a fridge, microwave, coffee pot, and room for other cooking appliances. 

This can reduce upfront costs because the space provides an option for real living more affordably, and immediately. 

Potential flag: When the things you may want or need are not already in the room or easily accessible on site, that can get time consuming and expensive. Does the hotel have a vending area, a community kitchen, library of special appliances from crockpots to rice cookers and more that can be checked out for use at any time? 

It is no surprise extended stay guests find value and feel more “at home away from home” when amenities like these are available. 

2. Affordable stays

Quality extended stay properties in Iowa offer privacy, security and stability without lengthy commitments. Many would prefer not draining the bank, while having access to better hotels that are built for extended stays as an option. 

Beyond price, this also means staying places that can offer an easier to manage, lower-stress experience. 

Moreover, when the internet and utility costs and maintenance are included as part of the price, this takes away worry by easing some financial burden.

Potential flag: Nightly, if you are staying more than two or three days, the price of staying in a hotel adds up fast. Even if the room only costs $50/night, for an extended period that’s spending in the neighborhood of $1,350–$1,500/month. 

That can be higher than renting, not to mention application fees, a substantial deposit, first and last month’s rents, utilities, fees sometimes tacked on for cleaning, more, and making sure you can qualify. 

3. In The Details

Before booking or arriving at a hotel to check in, the ability to ascertain additional details that go beyond basic vicinity and amenities can result in a better outcome and experience. 

This legwork can also help evade “motel” traps or certain characteristics many would prefer not having to deal with. 

People like upfront answers to frequently asked questions, and should be aware that directly contacting a hotel in advance, or walking in if you're already in the neighborhood, is a good way to to discover what they are getting into and if it is the right fit.

Potential flag:  Airbnbs or shared housing may be tempting for a unique experience or renting a room but generally come with a high cost and trade-offs, from extreme credit checks to less privacy, higher utility/maintenance costs and extra fees.

4. Clean and safe

Is it a place well known for cleanliness, privacy and safety from well-lit parking lots, security cameras around common areas and entrances, doors that shut all the way, locks that function and are kept in repair? 

Hotels with dedicated staff (like full time housekeepers and a general manager) that live on-site goes toward keeping everyone safe and benefiting the entire community, several Redditors agreed. 

Being able to book online and check in quickly or extend a stay virtually with no hassle we also understand is something guests value and is important. Check. 

Potential flag: Steer clear of hotels that don’t have professional owners, front desk and management that are unable to clearly communicate guest policies, set that expectation, and enforce them. Just say no to extended stays or motels that tolerate crime and illicit activities 

5. Thriving Community 

Some people online say they prefer leveraging extended stays that share the values of wanting to foster and be a part of a more thriving community, and they may not be able to find or access that in a traditional apartment or shared housing. 

To help avoid any sense of stigma or stress, social ties in an extended stay are often facilitated through access to amenities like a kitchen area, vending and dining areas, shared green space, periodic special events and other amenities. 

This can help lessen the isolation some people may experience. 

Potential flag: People don’t like feeling “in-between” when it comes to their housing, which takes a toll mentally over time. It can help to have an upbeat staff, strong community and a pet-friendly one - dogs need reliable housing, too! Be sure to check up front to make sure that option isn't attached to a hefty or hidden deposit, higher rates or cleaning fees on top of the cost of a room. 

6. Accessible stays

Unlike most apartments, extended stays can be more flexible when it comes to screening for credit or eviction history, often making them more accessible when a prior set back means renting in the traditional sense may be off the table.

At the same time, hotel owners who care for the well being of their guests also ensure thorough inspections and basic screening to keep out the riff raff - and keep guests feeling comfortable, safe and secure throughout the entire rental. Our 2 cents!

Potential flag: Not every extended stay is cheaper than all the alternatives requiring due diligence. It is important to determine if a property meets all the basic criteria, and also account for preferences when more than one option may be present. 

7. Cost flexibility 

Being able to pay week-to-week or month-to-month offers flexibility, putting more control in the hands of extended stay guests. Some hotels may offer lower rates if you book several weeks or 28+ days at once. 

The ability to extend a stay with no hassle is valued by people in transition and on a budget, too. 

Plus, when it's all included, there are no contractors, call centers or complex troubleshooting and technical issues you have to deal with like when setting up a new (temporary) apartment. 

Potential flag: With the accessibility and ease of access, checking in for guests, is there basic screening, robust security protocols and cameras around all common areas in the hotel, rules and accountability in place?

It is okay to ask a potential hotel partner: Is it an friendly, happy place to live without too much drama and drama or nonsense that may be found in a less-than-average extended stay or run of the mill motel? 

8. Private and workable

Compared with shared housing for remote workers and those who value extra privacy and space, especially with the nice beds and large rooms found at some extended stays, people can work from “home” and operate independently. Without roommates, more comfortably, in many cases. 

Potential flag: Hotels may not advertise when they don’t have amenities like professional streaming services on smart TVs, as well as blazing fast Wi-Fi and connection speeds. Calling ahead or asking someone in the know can pay dividends, certainly when the stay is going to be longer than a day or two. 

9. Discount potential 

A few people noted that taking a part-time job with the hotel, or taking advantage of move-in specials or discounts, can lower rates further. At select properties, discounts for people booking a longer stay up front may be available. 

Potential flag: If a nightly rate, extended stay deal or advertised promotion for a hotel appear too good to be true, it never hurts to do a bit more due diligence so you can get exactly what you want and are paying for. In terms of price, the smart money is often on calling to find out if a better than advertised rate is available. 

Your Money, Your Choice

It’s your blood, sweat and tears paying for housing and sustaining that. You should get exactly what you want. A hotel that can provide everything including all utilities paid and right amenities for under $1,000 are standouts in most markets 30 minutes from a growing metropolitan community in Des Moines.

When in need of a hotel for work, when traveling or in-between a more traditional housing situation, look for a track record of experience managing properties and taking care of guests, and get the full value out of an extended stay that could be hoped for in that type of relationship.