Month-long stays for remote workers

The work spot comes first

A sofa and a coffee table are fine for answering emails over a weekend. For a month of video calls, you need a table at the right height, a chair you can sit on for hours, a power socket within reach and, ideally, a door you can close. Ask the host for a photo of the place where you would work. A dining table counts, as long as nobody else needs it at the same time.

A connection you have checked

"Wi-Fi" in a listing says nothing about its speed or reliability. Before a long booking, ask the host for a recent speed test taken in the flat, and plan a backup such as mobile data. Our guide to testing Wi-Fi in a rental explains what to ask for and how to test it on arrival.

Light and noise, at working hours

Daylight matters more than you expect over several weeks. So does noise during the day: a quiet street at night can be loud with deliveries in the morning. Reviews from other longer-stay guests are the best source here; search them for "work", "calls" or "quiet".

A kitchen you will really cook in

Over a month, eating out every day gets tiring and expensive. Look for a real hob and oven, a full-size fridge, proper pans and a kettle. A breakfast corner with a microwave is a weekend kitchen.

Laundry and storage

A washing machine in the flat, or at least in the building, saves a lot of time. So do a wardrobe and drawers you can unpack into; living out of a suitcase for a month wears thin quickly.

The neighbourhood for everyday life

For a short trip you choose a district for its sights. For a month you choose it for a supermarket, a bakery, a pharmacy, a park to walk in and, if you like, a café or a coworking space for days when the flat feels small.

Agree on the practical side early

Ask how cleaning works during a long stay, whether linen is changed and how often, and who to contact if something breaks. Long stays work best when both sides agree on these details before arrival.