Extended-Stay vs. Short-Stay Hotels: How Construction Needs Differ

The hospitality industry is evolving — and so are the demands of travelers. While traditional short-stay hotels still serve a vital role, there has been a significant rise in demand for extended-stay accommodations across Ontario and beyond. These two types of properties may serve similar industries, but when it comes to design and construction, they have distinctly different requirements.

At FCC Builders Canada, we specialize in hotel and commercial construction across Ontario, and we understand the critical differences in building for short-term guests versus long-term residents. Whether you’re developing your first hotel or expanding your portfolio, understanding the unique construction needs of these two formats is essential to your project's success.

What Is the Difference Between Short-Stay and Extended-Stay Hotels?

• Short-Stay Hotels typically cater to travelers staying anywhere from one night to a few days. These include business travelers, tourists, or those in transit.

• Extended-Stay Hotels are designed for guests staying for a week or longer, often serving business professionals on long assignments, relocated families, or even healthcare-related stays.

While both serve the hospitality sector, the guest expectations, space planning, and building systems differ — and so should the construction approach.

1. Room Layouts and Square Footage

In short-stay hotels, efficiency is key. Rooms are often compact, with a focus on bed space, a bathroom, a workspace, and perhaps a mini-fridge. The goal is to accommodate a high volume of turnover without unnecessary square footage.

Extended-stay rooms, however, are more apartment-like in nature. Guests require more space to live comfortably over longer periods. As such, extended-stay hotel rooms typically include:

• A kitchenette or full kitchen

• A designated dining area

• Larger closets and storage space

• Living room zones (especially in suites)

• Laundry hookups or on-site laundry facilities

These features directly impact mechanical layouts, electrical demands, and overall unit size during the construction planning phase.

2. Plumbing and Mechanical Requirements

Short-stay hotels rely on centralized HVAC and water systems with basic bathroom plumbing. However, in extended-stay builds, every unit may have:

• A full kitchen sink, stove, microwave, and dishwasher

• In-room laundry systems or plumbing rough-ins

• Higher energy and water consumption per unit

These requirements significantly impact mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design. Each suite needs individual ventilation and fire suppression for kitchen spaces, which can affect wall assemblies, fire separations, and ceiling clearances.

At FCC Builders Canada, we work closely with MEP consultants during the design phase to ensure systems are right-sized, efficient, and code-compliant — particularly under the Ontario Building Code Part 3 and fire safety regulations.

3. Building Amenities and Common Areas

Short-stay hotels typically feature amenities like:

• A front desk and check-in counter

• Lobby and waiting areas

• Daily housekeeping and linen services

• Conference or meeting rooms

• Fitness centres and pools

Extended-stay hotels, on the other hand, often prioritize:

• Self-serve facilities, such as laundry rooms

• Pantries or small convenience stores

• Co-working lounges and long-term storage

• Outdoor spaces, like BBQ areas or patios

These differing guest expectations change how amenity spaces are designed, constructed, and serviced, especially regarding zoning approvals, accessibility standards, and long-term maintenance planning.

4. Storage, Housekeeping, and Operational Areas

Because extended-stay hotels do not require daily housekeeping, their back-of-house needs are often different. There may be less demand for large-scale linen rooms or frequent trash pickup routes, and more emphasis on guest-controlled cleaning or periodic maintenance.

On the construction side, this affects the placement of:

• Janitorial closets

• Waste disposal systems

• Maintenance corridors and utility rooms

• Storage for kitchen supplies or long-term guest items

At FCC Builders Canada, we tailor layouts to each operating model, ensuring service areas are efficiently integrated without taking up unnecessary rentable space.

5. Construction Costs and Timelines

Because of the enhanced features in each unit, extended-stay hotels often have a higher construction cost per square foot compared to short-stay models. Factors include:

• More robust in-suite electrical and plumbing infrastructure

• Increased material use for larger units

• Fire-rated kitchen partitions

• Longer coordination time for MEP systems

However, extended-stay hotels can yield stronger ROI over time due to:

• Lower operational overhead

• Higher average length of stay

• Reduced marketing and turnover costs

• Steadier occupancy during off-peak travel seasons

Our team helps clients plan for these differences during pre-construction, offering accurate budgeting, phasing, and value engineering to balance performance with cost control.

6. Zoning and Municipal Approvals

Municipal zoning and planning can differ depending on the length of guest stay and the services offered. For example, some jurisdictions may regulate extended-stay hotels more like residential or multi-dwelling units, which can affect:

• Site plan approvals

• Parking requirements

• Accessibility standards

• Fire separation and egress rules

We guide our clients through Ontario’s planning processes and ensure all local zoning, site plan, and permitting requirements are satisfied early in the project timeline — avoiding costly delays later.

Conclusion: Build With the Guest in Mind

The key to building a successful hotel lies in understanding the needs of the guests you're serving — and then translating those needs into smart, well-executed construction decisions.

At FCC Builders Canada, we bring real-world hospitality construction experience to every project. Whether you're building a short-stay hotel, an extended-stay facility, or a hybrid model, we help you design and construct a space that is efficient, comfortable, code-compliant, and built for long-term profitability.

Ready to build your next hospitality project in Ontario? Contact FCC Builders Canada today to book a consultation and discover how our team can bring your hotel vision to life — from pre-construction planning to final occupancy.