Do rich people still live in hotels?

Forget Airbnb: The wealthy are spending months at a time in luxury extended-stay hotels that can cost upwards of $4,000 per month. More and more people are staying in luxury extended-stay hotels for months at a time, choosing the convenience and amenities over apartments and Airbnbs.



Yes, the tradition of "hotel living" remains a prominent lifestyle choice for the ultra-wealthy in 2026, though it has evolved into a more formalized branded residence model. Many high-net-worth individuals choose to reside in permanent suites at iconic properties like the Carlyle in New York or the Beverly Hills Hotel, valuing the 24/7 security, white-glove concierge services, and the ability to live a "maintenance-free" life. In major global hubs like Dubai, London, and Miami, the trend has shifted toward "Hotel Residences" (such as the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton Residences), where owners buy a private apartment within a hotel complex. This allows them to own the real estate while enjoying the same amenities as hotel guests, including daily housekeeping, in-room dining, and valet parking. This lifestyle is particularly attractive to international "nomadic" elites who want a consistent, high-standard home base in multiple cities without the administrative burden of managing private household staff or property maintenance.

People Also Ask

But is taking up indefinite residence in a hotel feasible or allowed? Yes, you can permanently stay at a hotel, but it's often more expensive than traditional renting. Hotels may have policies limiting long stays, and local laws can affect this too.

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Disadvantages of a Hotel Residence If you are on a tight budget, then a hotel residence is probably not the best option for you. Another disadvantage of choosing a hotel residence is the lack of privacy when you are staying with a friend or business partner.

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You save time, can potentially save money, and get to live in potentially very lovely and different surroundings. Finally, the most significant benefit to hotel living: you just get out more! You get out of the routines that make life fly by too fast.

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The short answer: living in a hotel is as expensive as you make it. It can be less expensive or more expensive than renting an apartment, depending on your standard of living and how you are able to deduct expenses. At first, living in a hotel may seem expensive.

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The hotel and lodging industry is lucrative enough to have created some of the heaviest financial hitters the world has ever seen. With a net worth of $21.8 billion, Sheldon Adelson is the 12th wealthiest American and the 24th richest man on Earth.

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Room and furniture quality: Luxury hotel rooms have more modern and higher-quality furniture, fixtures, and fittings. Amenities: Both in-room amenities, like soaps and robes, and hotel amenities, like gyms and pools, tend to be much nicer at luxury hotels.

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If a stay in a hotel for less than a month you can be locked out of your room if you do not pay the daily rate or if you break some rule of the hotel. On the other hand, it is an entirely different game if you stay for a month or more. In this case you become a tenant and the tenant/landlord law applies.

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If you stay more than 30 days in the same room, you are considered to be tenant and the hotel your landlord. Legally, the hotel will be put into a different tax class if this happens. So they don't have to pay extra in taxes, the stay is limited by the hotel to 30 days.

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One of the major advantages of living in a hotel on a monthly basis is that you are not tied down by long-term commitments. Unlike traditional rentals, which often require a one-year lease or more, hotels allow you to stay for as long as you need, whether it's a few months or even a year.

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