Single mom moves family into hotel due to high rent costs

A single mother from Connecticut has found an unconventional solution to the rising costs and credit score issues that priced her out of the rental market. Suzanne Hayes, a writer, moved her family into a hotel after being given just 30 days' notice to vacate their month-to-month rental home in February.

Hayes began searching for another rental but was unable to find anything within her budget. Each time she applied for an apartment, landlords turned her down due to insufficient income and low credit scores. Instead of panicking, Hayes decided to think creatively.

She had grown tired of maintaining her rental property and handling household chores such as daily upkeep, yard work, dealing with mice problems, paying bills, and doing laundry. Consequently, she started contacting local hotels about long-term stay rates. She eventually found a two-bedroom apartment at the Avon Old Farms Hotel that included all utilities and amenities for $2,200 a month.

These amenities include weekly deep cleaning by hotel staff who change bedding and supply fresh towels. Additionally, Hayes and her children have access to the hotel's gym and pool. Six months later, Hayes reports that they are content with their current living situation.

“There are so many unexpected benefits to hotel living,” Hayes told Realtor.com. “For one, we have been forced to live a more minimalist life, and I’m reaping the benefits like less laundry and clutter."

She added: "Also it feels as if I have an extra set of hands because the cleaning team comes every week and does a thorough cleaning, provides clean towels, and changes the bedding. There is also a continental breakfast which we take advantage of, a gym, sauna, pool, and restaurant on-site. We play pingpong and chess and sit at the firepit on weekends.”

Despite this satisfaction with their temporary arrangement at Avon Old Farms Hotel—where long-term rentals start at $159 per night according to its website—Hayes is eager for a more permanent housing solution.

“My kids are amazing and have learned to find and embrace the silver lining in everything,” she said. “They didn’t love the idea at first but were aware it was our only option outside of moving in with family."

The downside remains that it feels temporary; most of their belongings are in storage. “I know that I still need to be looking for a place," Hayes admitted. "Home is definitely where the heart is but it will be nice when I have a one- or two-year lease in hand.”

The Avon Old Farms Hotel offers two properties for long-term rent: one called the "pool house" with two bedrooms; another offering three bedrooms along with additional facilities like kitchens and bathrooms.