Hotels vs. Serviced Accommodation in the North West

28 May

When you're arranging accommodation for a project, booking a hotel can seem like the easiest option. It feels familiar, quick and straightforward.

But once a project runs for several weeks instead of a few nights, those "simple" decisions can become surprisingly expensive.

Between rising accommodation costs, meals, parking and the practical challenges contractors face, hotels often stop being the most efficient solution.

In this guide, we'll compare hotels and serviced accommodation for contractors to show where businesses can save money, improve comfort and make life easier for their teams.

The hidden costs of hotel stays

A hotel rate rarely tells the whole story.

When contractors are staying away from home for several weeks, it's often the additional costs and the day-to-day inconvenience that have the biggest impact.

Some of the most common hidden costs include:

Higher nightly rates during the working week
Parking charges
Daily meal allowances because there's nowhere to cook
Laundry costs or time spent finding local facilities
Limited space to relax after work
Poorer sleep due to busy hotel environments
Extra administration when bookings need extending or project teams change

Hotels are ideal for overnight business trips or short stays. However, for longer projects, serviced accommodation often provides a more practical and cost-effective alternative.

A realistic cost comparison

Let's look at a typical scenario.

Imagine two contractors working on a four-week project in the North West.

Hotel accommodation

Average room rate: £105 per night

Cost Per Contractor
Accommodation (28 nights)£2,940
Parking £224
Additional food costs £420
Laundry and incidental costs £75
Total £3,659
Total for two contractors: £7,318

The exact figures will vary depending on location, season and hotel, but this provides a realistic example of what many businesses can expect to spend.

How serviced accommodation compares

Now compare that with a typical serviced accommodation property.

Rather than booking individual hotel rooms, contractors stay in a fully furnished house or apartment with everything they need for an extended stay.

A typical serviced accommodation property includes:

Fully equipped kitchen
Comfortable living area
Private bedrooms
Wi-Fi
Washing machine
Dedicated workspace
Parking (at many properties)

Having access to a kitchen alone can significantly reduce food costs over several weeks, while laundry facilities remove the need for expensive hotel services or trips to a local laundrette.

More importantly, contractors have space to switch off after work, helping them feel more settled throughout the project.

Let's use the same scenario: two contractors staying for four weeks.

A typical two-bedroom serviced accommodation property in the North West might cost around £150 per night (although prices vary depending on location and specification).

Property Total
Accommodation (28 nights)£4,200
Parking - Included
Kitchen facilities - Included
Laundry facilities - Included
Wi-Fi - Included
Total property cost£4,200

It's not just about saving money

Accommodation plays an important role in how people perform at work.

After a long shift, having somewhere to prepare a meal, relax in a comfortable living space, wash clothes and get a good night's sleep can make a real difference to wellbeing and productivity.

For businesses, this often means happier teams, fewer day-to-day frustrations and a better overall experience for employees working away from home.

Why more businesses are choosing serviced accommodation

As projects become longer and more complex, many businesses are moving away from hotels in favour of serviced accommodation for contractors.

The benefits often include:

Better value for longer stays
More comfortable living environments
Reduced food and laundry costs
Greater flexibility for project schedules
Less administration for booking managers
A more "home from home" experience for contractors

Instead of simply giving workers somewhere to sleep, serviced accommodation provides somewhere they can genuinely live while they're away.

Is serviced accommodation right for your project?

Every project is different.

If your team only needs accommodation for one or two nights, a hotel may still be the most practical option.

However, if contractors are staying for several weeks or even months—serviced accommodation is often the smarter choice. It can reduce overall costs, improve the experience for your workforce and simplify accommodation management for your business.

At OFG Property Group, we provide high-quality contractor accommodation across the North West, helping businesses find comfortable, practical places for their teams to stay during longer projects.

If you're planning an upcoming project and would like to explore your options, we'd be happy to help.