Why should I stay in a residence?

If you're looking to spend your vacation in style, a residence might just be the right option for you. Staying in a residence is a good way to experience the local vibe of your destination, whether you're on a short business trip or a city break. A residence has a homey ambience that allows you to cook your own meals and relax in your own space, along with the added luxuries of housekeeping and front-desk services.

Where do you find residences?

Residences have grown in popularity over the years because of their ability to cater to families, groups, and business travellers, so you're likely to find one in whatever part of the world you're travelling to. Most residences, however, are in large towns and cities (think Chicago or Montreal), and are clustered in suburbs and downtown districts. You might even spot some around main squares and in historic old towns.

How much does it cost to stay in a residence?

Residences are often considered to be pricier than standard hotels, as they offer guests more space, flexibility, and privacy, along with high-end facilities and services. However, if you opt to stay on the outskirts of prime destinations, you might just be able to score a stay in a nice but cheap residence.

How to book a residence

On Expedia, you can search for a residence by following the same process that you would for booking a hotel. Expedia's filter function can sort the search results by accommodation type, making it easy for you to narrow down your choices to the residences that appeal to you the most. On this page, just use the wizard above, which is pre-set for residences. If you check out flights and car rentals on the site, you might also get a good discount by booking these together with your residence stay.

What do residences offer?

One of the things that a residence of any kind offers its guests is space, lots of it. Residences are typically in big towns and cities, giving you easy access to major attractions. And, of course, there are the shared facilities to look forward to – you can expect most residences to have swimming pools, gyms, even rooftop terraces. On top of these, you're also likely to get conventional hotel services such as dedicated cleaning and reception staff.

Residences vs hotels

So, what exactly is the difference between residences and hotels? A hotel is a straightforward vacation spot, while a residence offers a number of extras that make it feel more like home. Both lodging options might offer communal facilities such as gyms and pools, but at a residence, you can expect bigger bedrooms, living spaces, and kitchens instead of the less sizable rooms or suites, minibars, and room service that you're likely to get from a hotel.

Residences close to me

Looking for a residence is easy if you do it on Expedia. Just type in your destination or a major attraction you'd like to stay close to, and you'll be able to search for a residence nearby. Your search results will show the top-rated residences in the area, but you can always use the map tool to expand your search. If you're particular about amenities, you can also sort results according to the amenities available. This way, you can easily find the residence that matches your needs and budget.