GARY, IN — In a move that would make even the most seasoned hospitality disruptors proud, a resourceful guest at a major extended stay hotel chain has successfully transformed his temporary living situation into an entrepreneurial venture by subletting his suite through a popular vacation rental platform.
The guest, who found himself locked into a lengthy reservation with hefty cancellation fees, decided to embrace the gig economy rather than eat the cost. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” the amateur hotelier reportedly said while counting his rental income.
The subletting arrangement caught the attention of the secondary guest, who was reportedly amazed by the value proposition. Unlike typical vacation rentals, the extended stay suite came equipped with professional housekeeping services, a 24-hour front desk, complimentary breakfast, and—perhaps most importantly—a functioning ice machine just steps away.
“Most vacation rentals don’t include daily maid service and a continental breakfast,” the delighted renter noted. “Plus, there’s actual security and someone to call if the WiFi goes down at 2 AM.”
While this creative solution technically violates policies from both the extended stay hotel and the vacation rental platform—not to mention potentially raising some interesting tax implications—both guests walked away satisfied. The original guest offset his cancellation fees, while the new guest discovered that sometimes the best vacation rental experience comes from an actual hotel.
Industry experts suggest this trend could revolutionize extended stay accommodations, though legal departments at major hotel chains are reportedly less enthusiastic about guests becoming impromptu competitors.