Blog

Extended Stay for Workers: What Makes Crew Lodging Different—and What to Look For

May 26, 2025

Learn what travel managers should prioritize—like truck parking, crew rates, and job site proximity—when booking for field teams.

Number of People Traveling - One of the biggest differences between standard business travel and crew travel is group size. Corporate workers typically travel in groups of one to five, while crews in industries like construction, utilities, and oil & gas often move in groups of five to 45 or more.
Nature of the Job & Reason for Travel - Corporate travel often revolves around meetings or conferences, but oilfield crew housing and other workforce accommodations are needed for long-term project-based travel in sectors like energy, construction, and transportation.

Length of Stay - Unlike business travelers who may stay a night or two, crews often require long term hotel stays — five to 45 nights or more — which means extended stay hotels or extended stay motels are essential.
Proximity to the Worksite - When booking remote project lodging, proximity to the job site is critical. Especially in rural or tertiary markets, the availability of hotels near oil fields or hotels for rail workers can significantly impact daily logistics and costs.
Crew-Specific Amenities - Unlike traditional business travelers, workforce travel crews often need hotels with large truck parking, kitchenettes, meal plans, and flexible hours. These needs should drive your crew accommodation platform decisions.

Must-Have Crew Lodging Amenities for Workforce Travel

Extended Stay Availability - Choose properties that offer extended stay options and are capable of housing the full team for the entire duration of the project. Weekly or monthly rates help manage costs.

Guaranteed Parking - A 12-hour shift followed by a parking hunt is a morale killer. Prioritize hotel booking with truck parking or hotels known for accommodating fleet vehicles.

Basic Hotel Comforts - Your crew still needs Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, and meal services—non-negotiables even in hotel vs motel comparisons.

Additional Services - Laundry, mail services, 24/7 dining, and utility travel coordination software reduce friction for traveling crews.

24/7 Support - With unpredictable schedules and late check-ins, crews need 24/7 access to a hotel contact. It’s part of fulfilling your duty of care crew travel obligation.

Book Smarter with a Corporate Lodging Platform Built for Workforce Travel

LodgeLink isn’t your standard corporate travel platform—it’s a corporate lodging platform purpose-built for the unique demands of workforce travel. From hotel rooms for long haul drivers to rotating crews and field staff, LodgeLink helps companies book smarter by offering:

Access to workforce-friendly lodging across Canada, the U.S., and Australia—including hotels and lodges with negotiated extended stay rates
Advanced filters tailored to workforce needs, like truck crew lodging, job site proximity, after-hours check-in, and parking for large vehicles
Workforce travel cost calculator to estimate and manage trip expenses with better visibility and control
Centralized guest management tools for assigning crew members to rooms, uploading manifests, and reducing manual tasks
Customizable reporting and invoicing to track spending across teams, departments, or cost centres
24/7 travel support that understands the urgency of workforce travel—not just business-class flight changes

Whether you’re managing energy crew hotel reservations, coordinating firefighter travel management, or securing utility crew lodging, LodgeLink is the hotel booking website designed to support essential industries—not office commuters.

Blog

Lodge or Camp? Hotel vs Motel? How to Choose the Right Remote Crew Accommodation

May 13, 2025

LodgeLink connects you to the best corporate lodging options—ideal for construction crew lodging, transportation crew travel, and energy sector stays.