In a quest for affordable housing, Suzanne Hayes, a single mother from Connecticut, turned to an unconventional solution—moving her family into a hotel. After being unexpectedly forced out of her rental home of six years, Hayes struggled to find a new place within her budget in a market where rents were soaring.
When her month-to-month lease ended abruptly in February, Hayes was faced with the daunting challenge of finding a new home. Despite her love for the charming house she had lived in, the constant maintenance issues and uncertainty of a month-to-month lease had taken a toll. With Connecticut ranking as one of the worst states for renters due to high costs and limited availability, Hayes’ search for a new rental was met with frustration. The steep prices—up to $3,000 per month for a modest home—and her subpar credit made finding a new place nearly impossible.
Turning to short-term rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO offered little hope, as long-term options were already booked. But Hayes found an unexpected solution in the Avon Old Farms Hotel, where a two-bedroom apartment was available for $2,200 per month, utilities and amenities included—$600 less than the town’s median rent.
Though the hotel apartment was smaller and less ideally located, it provided a temporary sanctuary for Hayes and her children. The family quickly embraced the hotel lifestyle, enjoying amenities like the pool, game room, and daily continental breakfast. Hayes noted that while the situation wasn’t perfect, it provided the sense of ease she had prayed for during a challenging time.
“This is not an apartment I would’ve ever looked for, and I would not have known to look at a hotel for my housing needs,” Hayes said. “But the amenities are the answer to my prayers. They have offered me the gift of ease, and that, after all, is exactly what I prayed for.”