Working away from home for weeks or months at a time can be tough — not just on people, but on budgets too. Whether you’re a contractor, project manager, engineer, or business owner overseeing a long-term project, accommodation costs quickly become one of the biggest expenses.
Hotels might seem like the obvious choice, but they’re rarely the smartest one for extended stays.
That’s where holiday lets for long-term working away accommodation come into play. Increasingly, companies and contractors are ditching hotels in favour of professionally managed holiday lets — and saving serious money in the process.
Let’s break down why holiday lets cut accommodation costs, how they improve quality of life for working teams, and why they’ve become the go-to option for long-term stays across the UK.
The Reality of Working Away Long Term
Long-term projects are becoming more common across construction, infrastructure, utilities, rail, energy, and engineering sectors. These projects often require teams to stay away from home for:
- Several weeks
- Multiple months
- Entire project lifecycles
When accommodation is booked night-by-night in hotels, costs spiral fast — especially once you factor in food, parking, laundry, and constant check-ins and check-outs.
For companies managing multiple workers, these costs multiply quickly.
That’s why smarter businesses are asking a simple question:
Is there a better way to accommodate teams working away long term?
Why Hotels Become Expensive (Fast)
Hotels are designed for short stays, not long-term living. While they may work for overnight trips, they fall short for extended projects.
Here’s why hotel accommodation costs quickly add up:
1. Nightly Rates Add Up
Even discounted corporate hotel rates can cost £80–£150+ per night. Over a month, that’s thousands — per person.
2. No Cooking Facilities
Without kitchens, workers rely on takeaways or restaurants, significantly increasing daily expenses.
3. Limited Space
Cramped rooms offer little room to relax, unwind, or separate work from downtime.
4. Parking & Extras
Parking charges, Wi-Fi upgrades, laundry services, and breakfasts all come at a premium.
Over time, hotels become one of the least cost-effective options for long-term working away accommodation.
How Holiday Lets Cut Accommodation Costs
Holiday lets are purpose-built homes, not temporary stopovers — and that makes all the difference.
Here’s how they dramatically reduce costs for long-term stays.
1. Lower Weekly & Monthly Rates
Unlike hotels, holiday lets offer discounted long-stay pricing. Instead of paying nightly rates, companies benefit from:
- Weekly discounts
- Monthly rates
- Fixed pricing for project durations
This alone can reduce accommodation costs by 30–50% or more compared to hotels.
2. Shared Accommodation = Shared Costs
For teams working away together, holiday lets are ideal.
A single large property can house multiple workers, allowing companies to:
- Split costs across the team
- Reduce per-person spend
- Keep crews together
For example, a 4–6 bedroom holiday let often costs less than booking multiple hotel rooms — with far more space included.
3. Self-Catering Saves Money Every Day
One of the biggest hidden savings comes from kitchens.
Holiday lets include:
- Fully equipped kitchens
- Fridge/freezer storage
- Dining areas
Workers can cook meals, prepare packed lunches, and reduce reliance on takeaways — saving hundreds per person each month.
4. Free Parking & Utilities Included
Most professionally managed holiday lets include:
- Free parking
- Wi-Fi
- Utilities
- Council tax
No surprise charges. No added extras. Just one predictable cost — which is gold for budgeting.
Better Living = Better Performance
Saving money is important — but it’s not the only reason holiday lets are winning.
Long-term workers need somewhere that feels like home, not a temporary box.
Space to Actually Live
Holiday lets offer:
- Separate bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Dining spaces
- Outdoor areas (in many properties)
This allows workers to properly unwind after long shifts — improving morale, rest, and overall wellbeing.
Consistency for Long Projects
Staying in one property long term avoids:
- Constant hotel moves
- Packing and unpacking
- New check-ins every week
A stable base leads to:
- Better routines
- Less stress
- Greater productivity on site
Ideal for Teams & Contractors
Holiday lets are particularly suited to:
- Construction teams
- Engineers
- Rail and infrastructure workers
- Utility contractors
- Project managers
Everyone has their own space, but still shares communal areas — the perfect balance of privacy and teamwork.
Holiday Lets vs Hotels: A Cost Comparison
Let’s look at a realistic example.
Hotel Stay (1 person):
- £100 per night
- 30 nights = £3,000
- Plus food & extras
Holiday Let (shared, 4 people):
- £2,400 per month total
- £600 per person
- Kitchen, parking, utilities included
That’s a saving of over £2,000 per person per month — and the accommodation is bigger and more comfortable.
Multiply that across multiple workers, and the savings are huge.
Why Location Still Matters
Not all holiday lets are equal. Location plays a major role in cost savings and convenience.
Professionally managed holiday lets near worksites reduce:
- Travel time
- Fuel costs
- Worker fatigue
At Luke Stays, our properties are strategically located across the North East, including:
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Gateshead
- Durham
- Sunderland
This makes them ideal for long-term projects across construction, infrastructure, and commercial sectors.
The Importance of Professional Management
Not all holiday lets are suitable for long-term working stays. Poorly managed properties can cause more problems than they solve.
Professional management ensures:
- Regular cleaning
- Responsive maintenance
- Flexible booking terms
- Compliance with safety standards
This is especially important for companies booking accommodation for teams — reliability matters.
Why Companies Are Switching to Holiday Lets
Businesses are becoming more cost-conscious and people-focused. Holiday lets tick both boxes.
They offer:
- Lower accommodation costs
- Happier, more rested workers
- Predictable budgets
- Long-term flexibility
That’s why holiday lets are no longer just for holidays — they’re now a core solution for working away long term.
Final Thoughts: Smarter Accommodation for Long-Term Work
If you’re still booking hotels for long-term projects, it might be time to rethink.
Holiday lets:
- Cut accommodation costs
- Improve living conditions
- Support long-term productivity
- Offer flexibility hotels simply can’t
For contractors, companies, and project managers, they’re not just a cheaper option — they’re a smarter one.
If you’re planning long-term work away from home and want accommodation that works as hard as your team does, holiday lets are the answer.