For both business travelers and families going on vacation, options for accommodations are important considerations. Many hotel chains are offering more than just a place to lay your head; extended stay hotels might be just what you’re looking for.

Extended stay hotels are described as more like a home, less like a hotel. The differences between a regular hotel and an extended stay hotel can be summed up in one word: comfort. If you’re thinking of staying in a hotel for any length of time, the extended variety can offer the following amenities to make your vacation much more comfortable:

1. Fully equipped kitchens, including pots and pans, dishes, linens, microwave and dishwasher.

2. Studio suites with rooms separate from the main living quarters.

3. On-site guest laundry services.

4. Voicemail and unlimited phone usage.

5. Highspeed internet and wi-fi.

6. DVD players, movie libraries, on-site “mini-stores” providing snacks and beverages.

An extended stay hotel is something to consider when you’re visiting relatives, relocating, working on an extended project away from home, remodeling, or just planning a vacation in which you still wish access to a kitchen and laundry service. The rates are often comparable or substantially less than standard hotel rates as long as you commit to a certain time frame; do your research carefully, and you can have a vacation with all the comforts of home without the hassle.