Since the roaring 1920s, there has been a trend for celebrities and rich listers to make their home in a hotel. This trend is becoming more mainstream and even available to the most vulnerable people within our society.
Famous people who stayed longer
Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan and Robert de Niro are among many stars who have stayed longer than the customary hotel short break. Howard Hughes even bought a hotel in Las Vegas and lived there for four years, in the penthouse, of course!
The American stage actress Elaine Stritch stayed at the Savoy for just shy of 13 years. Richard Harris managed to outstay her by another two years. In 2002 he hadn’t been seen by staff members for a week or so. Hanging on his door was the Do Not Disturb sign. Concerned but not wanting to disturb a private resident, they called his ex-wife, who stormed into the room and found him ill and dying. As he was taken out on a stretcher, ill but still retaining a sense of humour, he famously announced to anyone listening: “It was the food.”
In the Arts
Even in the situation comedy ‘Fawlty Towers’, we saw the Major and the spinsters as long term residents in what must be one of the worse hospitality venues!
Retirement option
As a retirement option, having your room cleaned for you, meals cooked and served, and a bevvy of staff to attend to your every need, living in a hotel does look like an interesting prospect. Significantly as nursing homes, prices are rising. Dame Margaret Thatcher would undoubtedly agree as she made the London Ritz her last home. Coco Chanel also lived at the Ritz, in Paris, from 1937 until her death in 1971.
The hotel chains
It is not usual to find people staying in hotels in the middle-income bracket, although there is a case of a couple who clocked up 22 years of staying in a hotel chain. Jean and David Davison prefered using the chain to travel rather than their Sheffield flat. Costs were comparable and included cleaning, bed laundry, heating and electricity. People who travel for their work are used to hanging their hat against the complimentary bathrobe.
Aparthotels
These are hotels with rooms set up for longer stays, with an ensuite bathroom. There is usually a kitchenette, with hobs, fridge and sink, along with the usual kettle and refreshments. Indeed, aparthotels are now considered excellent places to stay for longer and with reasonable rentals monthly, working out more cost-effective for companies with a larger travelling workforce. LHG has several such hotels in London
B & B
In Britain, with our housing shortages, local councils have used Bed and Breakfast styled hotels with shared bathrooms. Some single people are happy in these establishments; families understandably want more than one room. LHG has provided accommodation through the local authorities to the homeless and those needing resettlement throughout the Covid crisis. So this sector of society is now making a hotel their home.