To live in a Travelodge

You can't book more than a set number of consecutive nights AFAIK. I needed a stop gap when I was moving and I couldn't book more than 28 I think it was. In any of the lodge type places.

I suspect this would probably be against the T&Cs of the room, which would be more of a concern if you were living there…

I can see some plus points but you would have no control whatsoever over who sleeps in the next room(s).
The Travelodges in my area have lots of hen and stag do groups at weekends. Fine if you are a sound sleeper but you might end up with sleepless nights if not.

I think Alan was happier when he moved into that caravan. The Travelodge was a particularly low point in his life. I loved his little beat-the-system wins though😆 - bringing his own oversized plate to the buffet

We're coming to the end of a major kitchen renovation, and launderettes have cost a fortune, and I miss being and to cook properly and the limitations it puts on what you can eat and that's with a microwave, toaster, slow cooker and George foreman, which I'm pretty sure a travel lodge wouldn't allow you to have set up

It’s certainly been done😁

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/22-YEARS-TRAVELODGE#:~:text=For%20David%20and%20Jean%20Davidson,who%20was%20in%20poor%20health.

I think the thing to take from this though is it was 18 years ago, and back then hotels weren’t being used to house the homeless and refugees. Nowadays you could end up with a gang of people trying to break in, set fire to such places.

You would need a lot of money to stay in a luxury hotel (other thread) and I would suggest a minimal living mindset would be better. A canny person might be able to negotiate a good rate for long term stays, and maybe even discounting on meals with local food suppliers. I am sure there is a 28-30 day limit on length of stay in UK, something to do with becoming a “tenant” if this period is exceeded, but I could be wrong, haven’t checked. But most places are likely to just simply rebook you in if they have a spare room.

No rents, no council tax, no energy bills, one meal a day included. Might suit a single person, or a happy couple, but wouldn’t be a choice if you have children, although sadly some have no option.

Would you have to stay in the area you are in now, for work or family commitments etc. Or can you live anywhere in Europe, Brexit rules nothwithstanding (unless you have EU passports)?

On the basis of this answer, there are either more, or fewer options available.

You might be able to find homesit opportunities.

True.
But worked out less well for the Corby trouser press.

You need basic cooking facilities if you're going to make it financially viable long-term. You could by a portable electric stove, but I'm pretty sure the Travelodge would frown on this!

I think it would take its toll on your mental health . The noise. The moving from one to another . Not being able to cook . Or wash clothing .
What's wrong with renting longterm? I know its not perfect but it's got to be better then a hotel room

Or buy a campervan.

It would be just as cheap for you to buy a holiday home with free ground rent thrown in for a couple of years but you would still have the holiday home at the end of it. You would be able to cook and use if a washer.

@oakkiln 30 pounds per night per room??? what about food???

I'd look for a serviced apartment or similar, or even a caravan in a non touristy location and try and negotiate a long term rate. Then you have basic cooking facilities and no bills.

But I agree that the lack of a permanent address might be detrimental when it comes to applying for a mortgage.

Do you have furniture and other possessions that you would need to store? Do you have a realistic chance of buying, given that you are 'late middle age'? Might you be better looking to move to an over 55s council property as these are often easier to find than mainstream social housing.

What about a van? I've seen loads of people on TikTok who set a van up. They have gym memberships for showers and use friends kitchens to batch cook and things. I'd definitely do it if I didn't have kids.

It worked well for Alan Partridge

I think it would be awful living in one room. The only good thing would be if breakfast was included.

I did it for several months, in between homes, moving around Travelodges and Premier Inns. I bought a plug-in two-ring hotplate and cooked on it (and hid it when they were going to come in to clean). Totally against their rules I would think. Pans washed in the bathroom and left in the shower to dry. It was quite depressing.

I have just left my job in a travelodge after 7 years, pp saying you can't live there are wrong. In our one when I left a man was still there after 3 years.
The rules are you can't stay in a room more than 28 days so on day 28 people would have to move room - usually to the room next door if available.

I dont see how it's comfortable long term, you aren't allowed to plug in any food making facilities etc and you'd have to go to a launderette. It's doable but I wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary.

They could get a mini electric hob. One of those camping ones with two plates.

I think you might be better in a “holiday home” lodge/caravan.

I get that this might be slightly tongue in cheek, but if not, there are practicalities you would have to consider. Would you be able to use a hotel as a permanent address? You need one for credit purposes (not to mention accessing a GP, council tax purposes etc.) - so if you’re saving for a mortgage, a credit history that shows you effectively homeless for a year would be less than ideal.

Will they give you a mortgage by the time you've saved up for a deposit?

How does the price compare to a studio flat where you are?

If you're prepared to move around - because there is a limit on length of stay - and are prepared to eat without cooking, it's a valid way of saving in the short term.
Longer term, given that the goal is to buy a home, you need to consider how your mortgage application will work when you will have had no fixed address for a while.