As amazing as Airbnb is, it can be frustrating with so many property types and different levels of service - only to show up to a place that you weren't quite expecting to at all.
These days, there are more options than ever that combine a hotel level of service with the perks of home. Best yet, a lot of these lodging providers are perfectly situated for extended stays and a remote working vacation. 🙃
In a way, these newer companies harken back to the day of serviced apartments, though with far more flexibility - and much better décor. Sometimes, it is nice having a kitchenette for more than a few days.
Some of them, like Sonder and Casai, even include a stocked kitchen with pots, pans, basic oils and spices to get you started on the journey.
(Goodbye boring hotel room: There's a wide range of options from studio-like rooms in hotel-like set ups to one bedrooms, and multiple-bedroom units that can accommodate groups of people.)
Vacasa
Vacasa (which also officially acquired TurnKey Vacation rentals back in March) is more about staying close to home. The vacation rental management company has approximately 30,000 vacation homes throughout North America, Belize and Costa Rica in its repertoire.
As lovely as it is staying with boutique properties and individual hosts, there's just a level of service that can't be provided without a proper company making sure each place is professionally clean, that someone in always available and a seamless check-in process that doesn't require arranging a meeting time.
Vacasa does cater slightly more to groups of people versus a couple or a solo traveler jaunting off for a quick trip, but there's a level of comfort always knowing that you are going at least some level of service and inspection before the next guest.
Sonder
Established in 2014, Sonder is the answer to Airbnb's lack of standardized service. (Though there are far less options with Sonder than with Airbnb.)
The lodging provider is available in 30+ cities, though most of the locations are throughout the United States's biggest cities. There are a few outlier locations in Canada and the UK (but in places like Montreal, Amsterdam and London, if you get our drift).
The "apartments"-at least from the website-all seem beautifully appointed and a tad slight more colorful and decorative than the typical hotel room.
But really where Sonder shines is in its discounts for those looking to stay for weeks at a time. Fortunately, the longer the stay is, the more Sonder discounts to its travelers.
Here is a quick breakdown of how it breaks down, and you really only need to stay for one week before the savings kick in.
| Length of stay | Discount |
| 7+ nights | 25% off |
| 14+ nights | 30% off |
| 30+ nights | 35% off |
| 45+ nights | 40% off |
For instance, a quick search in London from November 3 to November 10 yields a double room for £641 or just £92 a night (with the extended stay discount), which is, in our opinion, incredible value in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Casai
Down south, Casai is Sonder's Latin American counterpart with locations primarily in Mexico and São Paulo. Though the company is less established than Sonder, its hospitality roots are strong.
Currently, it seems like its main coverage is in.
| Length of stay | Discount |
| 14-29 nights | 15% |
| 30+ nights | 20% |
Travelers can also use the code TRAVELTOMEXICO for 15% off, though it is not currently stackable with the extended stay discount. (So in general, it looks like the maximum, consistent discount is 15% for one month.)
