![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/aerial-view-made-drone-la-847006056.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/b2bc72e0-087e-436e-b108-800f32a68bf1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLIVING long-term in a hotel sounds like a dream come true, with someone on hand 24\/7 to cook your food, make your bed or clean your room.<\/p>\n
I've been lucky enough to have two stints living in a hotel for a month or more.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
One was even by the beach in Spain one September, so I could make the most of the sun and sand.<\/p>\n
It had an open air pool where I could take a dip and a beach bar where I could sip a beer while staring out to sea. <\/p>\n
It certainly wasn't where I imagined I'd be staying when I signed up for an all-expenses-paid EU language programme. <\/p>\n
Aside from a couple of hours of Spanish lessons every morning and a bit of homework to complete in the afternoon, we had plenty of time to make the most of the Catalan culture and weather<\/span>, with Barcelona just a short hop up the coast on the train. <\/p>\n And then back to the hotel in time for dinner and dessert.<\/p>\n My stint in Spain was certainly a lot more glamorous than the time I lived in a Travelodge in Birmingham's red light district when all the electricity went out in our student flat and the entire block had to be moved into a hotel while it was fixed.<\/p>\n There were some interesting characters plying their trade at the roadside nearby, which was quite an eye-opener and an education in itself.<\/p>\n At first, the novelty factor of holing up in a hotel at someone else's expense makes you pinch yourself, as it's so far removed from the reality of life.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Eating every day at a hotel restaurant, grabbing a takeaway or heading to a cafe for a bite to eat was great for a while, but not having your own cooking facilities or fridge gets a bit old after a couple of weeks. <\/p>\n While in Spain<\/span>, I did develop a love for dishes like crema catalana, a dessert that's a bit like creme brulee. <\/p>\n And eating fresh bread with olive oil<\/span> and tomatoes rather than butter was delicious and not something I would ever have thought of making myself. <\/p>\n So it was a good chance to sample international cuisine. <\/p>\n But in the end, it's quite nice<\/span> to have a few home comforts and make your own food with the ingredients you enjoy, even if you do have to do your own washing up afterwards.<\/p>\n It's the same when it comes to living in one room, particularly if you're sharing. <\/p>\n After a while, you want your own space, so I was happy to get back into a flat, with a living room for spending time with mates and my own room when I wanted to be alone. <\/p>\n I did miss having someone to keep the bathroom clean though.<\/p>\n When we hear about travellers<\/span> traversing the world full-time on a cruise ship or film<\/span> stars living in a hotel suite, we imagine a life full of glamour and ease. <\/p>\n And while it is wonderful to have a break from routine, it can get a bit weird after a while. <\/p>\n And there's not much that can be done about noise from neighbouring rooms or even from elsewhere in the hotel. <\/p>\n If the bin lorry calls early in the morning or there's late-night loiterers making a racket in the corridor, you just have to hope that you'll get a bit more peace and quiet the following night.<\/p>\n Lots of older people choose to stay on a cruise ship instead of in a retirement home and I can certainly see the appeal. <\/p>\n Why not see the world while being waited on hand and foot instead of being stuck in the same place? <\/p>\n I just need to wait a few years to give it a go myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another woman who lived in hotels for years raved about it, saying she saved money compared to rented accommodation.<\/p>\n But another person who lived in a swanky resort said it wasn't as dun as people would think.<\/p>\nRead more on hotels<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/VP-COMP-UK-HOTELS.jpg\")
<\/picture>HISTORIC KNIGHTS <\/span><\/p>\nThe best UK hotels for families and with amazing English history<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/schloss-roxburghe-hotel-sun-travel-850012777.jpg\")
<\/picture>TIME MACHINE <\/span><\/p>\nThe UK hotel with golf course, clay-pigeon shooting and heated indoor pool<\/h3>\n
Most read in News Travel<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/2h6wwc0-view-picturesque-town-comacchio-861718821.jpg\")
<\/picture>GO-NDOLA <\/span><\/p>\nTiny lagoon town dubbed ‘Little Venice’ with colourful houses and bargain hotels<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-j4afmrev2-1700844705428.jpg\")
<\/picture>RIDE ON <\/span><\/p>\nEurope\u2019s largest indoor theme park set to open brand new rollercoaster in 2025<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/travelers-luggage-using-smart-phones-859409333.jpg\")
<\/picture>PACK IT IN <\/span><\/p>\nLuggage mistake everyone makes when checking bags – it’s more likely to get lost<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/NEW-OFF-PLATFORM-TEMPLATE-31.png\")
<\/picture>HO HO NO! <\/span><\/p>\nBest & worst Christmas markets revealed as one cancels because Santa’s ‘too busy’<\/h3>\n