Author: Southern Web

How to Plan a Short-Term Stay in Atlanta

by Southern Web

As one of the region’s busiest hubs for commerce — not to mention a growing hotspot for film and television — Atlanta sees many people come to town for extended stays. However, if you’re planning a short-term stay in Atlanta lasting a month or longer, you may be in for a bit of a challenge. As with most cities, the housing options seem primarily geared for visitors staying a few days (hotels) or for a few months (apartment leases), with fairly few options for in-between stays of a few weeks or a couple of months. Even with so-called extended stay hotels, the cost of lodging really adds up as the weeks go by.

One option that is growing in popularity among extended stay travelers is to work with a corporate lodging company — an agency that arranges for furnished corporate apartments for guests who need to stay a month or longer. Corporate lodging offers the comforts of home as opposed to simply a bed, shower and kitchenette, and it comes at a reduced cost to most hotels. If you’re planning a short-term stay in Atlanta, here are a few tips for choosing corporate lodging.

Find Out What’s Included in the Rent

The term “fully furnished” may mean different things to different agencies. For some, it might mean a fully decorated apartment with fully equipped kitchen, cleaning supplies, etc. For others, it might mean you have a place to sleep and a place to sit. In some cases, utilities are included in the rent; in others, you pay utility costs separately. Make sure you know in advance what the agency includes in the rent (including any deposits) so you don’t encounter unwanted surprises.

Ask About Amenities

Many corporate lodgings are located within established apartment communities. In many cases, you may utilize any of the on-site amenities of that community (e.g., swimming pool, fitness center, theater room). However, don’t assume you have access to all these features. If the corporate agent doesn’t specifically tell you what amenities are included in your rent — ask. 

Work with Someone Local

Many corporate housing agencies can arrange housing in a number of different major cities — but that often restricts them as far as local knowledge of the neighborhoods, commuter routes, etc. When you work with an agency local to Atlanta, you get the added benefit of localized expertise, so you’re more likely to get an apartment in a good area, with nearby shopping and dining, and convenient to your temporary workplace.

Whether you’re planning a short-term stay in Atlanta to help open a new office, shoot a film or even take an extended vacation with the family, TP Corporate Lodging offers local expertise and access to furnished apartments in some of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods. Give us a call at 800.428.9997 for current availability.

Where to Stay in Atlanta While Filming

by Southern Web

Between a mild climate, diverse shooting locations and Georgia’s film-friendly tax incentives, it’s little wonder that Atlanta has become a major destination for film productions. One of the biggest obstacles filmmakers face, however, is where to stay in Atlanta while filming. Finding temporary housing or corporate lodging  for film production teams can be particularly challenging, especially when housing larger crews or when you’re trying to coordinate your lodging near the shooting set. If you’re planning an extended stay for a film shoot, let’s do an overview of the options you have available.

Hotels

The first option travelers tend to look at — and the one that takes the least amount of thought — is to book some hotel rooms for your team. For a small crew on a very brief shoot, this might be your best option, especially if you’re booking on short notice. The disadvantages of hotels are that they can get very expensive very quickly, and for long stays your crew might get a bit cramped and fatigued over time. In addition, if you’re booking during a high tourist season or during a major event, you might run into trouble with availability.

Host Housing Platforms (e.g., AirBnb)

In recent years, online sites like AirBnb have given hotels a run for their money. The advantages here are that you can find actual furnished homes or apartments available for temporary stays, often for less than the cost of a hotel. However, since many hosts are private owners, quality control is often a risk factor — plus, finding available and convenient housing for a larger team can be akin to looking for a needle in a haystack.

Corporate Housing Agent

One great alternative to temporary housing in Atlanta is to work with a local corporate housing agent like TP Corporate Lodging. A local agent can do the heavy lifting for you by arranging fully furnished apartments for any number of guests, usually for a fraction of the cost of equivalent hotel stays. Your team will enjoy a full array of amenities plus all the comforts of home, so they’ll come to the set refreshed and ready to work. We can also arrange for locations that are either near your set or along established commuter routes for easy access.

If you need help figuring out where to stay in Atlanta while filming, TP Corporate Lodging can ease the burden. Give us a call at 800.428.9997 to learn more.

5 Tips for Choosing Short-Term Stay Lodging

by Southern Web

If business or some other project requires you to visit another city for several weeks or a couple of months, you may run into some challenges when it comes to short-term corporate lodging. Most housing options are either based on nightly stays (like hotels) or long-term stays (like apartment leases), and it seems there are few options in between. Nevertheless, with a bit of homework, it’s possible to find short-term lodging to suit your needs. Let’s look at five tips to help you find what you’re looking for.

1. Research locations.

Every city has different neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. If you’re coming to town on business, you naturally want to stay someplace that’s convenient to work — either within a short distance or at least along a convenient commute route. If you’re unfamiliar with the city, you’ll want to do a bit of research to target a few parts of town where you’d be comfortable staying.

2. Look at nearby amenities.

Another consideration when choosing short-term stay lodging is to look at what is nearby. You want to be in a place that’s convenient to amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, public transportation, etc. If you find temporary lodging that requires you to drive across town for all these things, it can be a drain on your time and energy. Your best bet is to stay someplace where amenities are either within walking distance or a short drive away.

3. Skip the hotels.

Hotels are convenient, and sometimes they offer lots of extras — but for stays lasting longer than a few days, they can get very expensive. Even extended stay hotels usually don’t feel much like home, and after a couple of weeks it can start taking its toll on your psyche—and your wallet.

4. Be careful with online platforms like AirBnb.

AirBnb and similar platforms have become a popular alternative to hotel stays. You can often find fully furnished lodgings, complete with living, dining and kitchen, sometimes for less than a hotel. The downside is that many of these places are privately owned, so the quality may be inconsistent — and sometimes hosts are dishonest. If you go this route, be sure to look in Airbnb’s certified travel section or use Airbnb Plus to make sure you’re getting a reputable host.

5. Work with a local corporate housing company.

One of the best ways to choose short-term stay lodging in any community is to work with a local corporate lodging agency. Working with a local professional gives you the edge when it comes to finding the right neighborhoods and amenities, and these companies can help you get into a fully furnished apartment at a very reasonable rate.

If your short-term lodging needs bring you to Atlanta or Jacksonville, TP Corporate Lodging offers localized expertise as well as a selection of well-appointed, fully furnished apartments in some of the best complexes in town. Give us a call at 800.428.9997 to learn more.