When people search for a “shortlet hotel”, they usually mean a furnished apartment rented by the night, like a hotel stay but in a private home. Some mean an apartment-style hotel. A few mean a hotel room sold for part of a day. Here is what each one is, and what to check before you book.
In Nigeria, “shortlet” is often written as one word. You will also see “short let”. Both mean the same thing.
What people mean
The words get mixed up a lot. These are the four things people usually have in mind:
- A shortlet apartment. A whole furnished flat or house, rented by the night, week or month. It is used like a hotel, but you get a kitchen and a living room. This is the usual meaning.
- An apartment hotel. A hotel building where the rooms are small apartments with kitchens. There is a reception, and often cleaning every day.
- A serviced apartment. A furnished flat with services such as cleaning, security and power included. Often in a building run as a business.
- A short-stay hotel room. A hotel room sold for a few hours, for a rest between flights or a day meeting.
People also search for “shortlet hotel near me”. That usually means they want somewhere to stay tonight or this weekend, close by. Searching by area works best, as shown at the end of this guide.
Shortlet apartment vs hotel room
Here is how they usually compare. Every place is different, so always check the listing.
| Shortlet apartment | Hotel room | |
|---|---|---|
| Space | A whole home: bedrooms, living room, kitchen | One room, sometimes a suite |
| Privacy | Your own front door | Shared corridors and lobby |
| Food | Your own kitchen | Restaurant and room service |
| Cleaning | Between guests; during your stay on request | Usually every day |
| Staff | A host or caretaker on call | Reception, often at all hours |
| Check-in | Meet the host, or follow their steps | At the front desk |
| Deposit | Often a refundable caution deposit | Sometimes a deposit or a hold on your card |
| Best for | Families, groups, longer stays, working | One or two nights, full service |
For a closer look, read shortlet vs hotel in Lagos and serviced apartment vs hotel.
Short-stay hotels
Some hotels sell rooms for part of a day. You may see words like “day use” or “short stay”. It suits a rest between flights, a long meeting or a shower before a night bus.
These are hotel rooms, not shortlets. If you need a bed for one night, a shortlet may also work. Check the host's minimum stay on the listing: some take one-night bookings, and others ask for 2 nights or more.
Apartment hotels and serviced apartments
These sit in the middle. You get an apartment with a kitchen, plus some hotel-style services such as a front desk and regular cleaning. They suit longer work trips, or families who want space and help. What is a serviced apartment in Nigeria? explains more.
In Lagos, see serviced apartments in Lagos. In Abuja, see serviced apartments in Abuja.
Which one suits your trip?
The best choice depends on the trip, not the name. Here is how it often works out:
- One night after a late flight. A hotel near the airport, or a shortlet close by that takes one-night stays. Check that someone can let you in late.
- A family holiday.A 2 or 3-bedroom shortlet keeps everyone together, with a kitchen for the children's meals.
- A work trip of a week or two. A shortlet or a serviced apartment with a desk, strong Wi-Fi and reliable power.
- A birthday or group weekend. A shortlet with space for everyone, if the house rules allow visitors.
- A staycation in your own city. A shortlet with a pool, a view or a quiet estate, for a change of scene.
- Full service, no fuss. A hotel, where the restaurant and the front desk are always there.
Words you will see in shortlet listings
Listings in Nigeria use some words that confuse first-time guests. Here is what they usually mean:
- Caution deposit or caution fee. Money held against damage, refunded after you leave, less any agreed deductions. See caution fees in hotels and shortlets.
- Cleaning fee. A one-off charge for the clean after your stay, not a nightly charge.
- Minimum stay. The fewest nights the host accepts in one booking.
- Instant booking. Your stay is confirmed as soon as you pay, without waiting for the host.
- 24-hour power. Usually a generator, inverter or solar that covers grid cuts. Ask what happens if the backup fails.
- Fully furnished. Furniture, bedding and kitchen items are in place. Ask what the kitchen has.
- En-suite. The bedroom has its own bathroom.
- BQ (boys' quarters). A small separate unit in the compound, often for staff or a driver.
- Mini flat. A one-bedroom flat with its own living room and kitchen.
- Studio. One room for sleeping and living, with a small kitchen area and a bathroom.
What to check before booking
Whatever you call it, ask these questions before you pay:
- Whole home or a room? And is anyone else staying there?
- Photos of every room, including the bathroom and kitchen.
- The area. Is it the street or estate you think it is?
- Power. Grid, generator hours, inverter or solar.
- Water. Borehole, tank, and whether there is hot water.
- Wi-Fi and TV, if you need them.
- Security. A gated estate, a guard, safe parking.
- Check-in and check-out times, and how you get the keys.
- The minimum stay, if you only need a night or two.
- The caution deposit and any cleaning fee.
- The cancellation terms. When can you cancel for free?
- ID. Does the host ask for it?
- How you pay. Never transfer money to a personal account you cannot check.
Shortlet scams: 10 warning signs shows what to avoid, and is it safe to stay in a shortlet? covers the rest.
On Cabans, a shortlet you can book online has a booking box with dates and a price. It shows “Instant booking” (confirmed as soon as you pay) or “Host confirms” (the host accepts first). Before you pay, the price breakdown lists the nights, any discount, the cleaning fee and the caution deposit, then the total.
You pay securely online through Paystack, and Paystack's payment fee is shown before you pay. That fee is not refunded. You can cancel for free until the host's cut-off, which you also see before you book. How to find a shortlet you can book online shows what to look for, and instant booking or host confirms explains the two badges.
Is a shortlet as safe as a hotel?
It can be, but the checks are yours to make. A hotel has a front desk, guards and staff on every floor. A shortlet's safety depends on the estate, the building and the host.
- Choose a gated estate or a building with a guard at the entrance.
- Check that the doors and windows lock, and that the door code or locks change between guests.
- Ask where the fire extinguisher is, and how to reach the host at night.
- Pay through a traceable route, never cash to a stranger at the gate.
A well-run shortlet in a good estate can feel as secure as a hotel, with more privacy.
Comparing the cost fairly
A nightly rate alone does not tell you which is cheaper. Work out the whole stay:
- Multiply the nightly rate by your number of nights.
- Add any cleaning fee, service charge or tax shown before you pay.
- Set aside the caution deposit. It should come back, but you need it up front.
- Add meals. A kitchen can save a lot on a longer stay.
- Divide by the number of people staying, if you are a group.
Do the same for the hotel, then compare the two totals side by side.
Finding an apartment instead
If you want hotel comfort with more space, search shortlets by area:
- Lagos: Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja and Yaba.
- Abuja: Wuse 2, Maitama and Gwarinpa.
- Elsewhere: Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Benin City.
Want to book today? Find a shortlet you can book online, with the full price shown before you pay.
Own a furnished flat? People searching for a shortlet hotel could be your next guests. List your shortlet on Cabans.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shortlet hotel?
Usually a furnished apartment rented by the night and used instead of a hotel. Some people also use the words for apartment-style hotels, which have a reception and apartments with kitchens.
Is a shortlet cheaper than a hotel?
It depends on the area, the dates and how many of you there are. For a family or a group, one whole shortlet can cost less per person than several hotel rooms. Compare the full price, with any fees and deposit included.
Is a shortlet the same as a serviced apartment?
Close, but not the same. A serviced apartment includes services such as cleaning and security, often in a managed building. A shortlet is any furnished home let for a short time, and what is included depends on the host.
Can I book a shortlet for just one night?
Yes, if the host allows it. It depends on the host’s minimum stay, which the listing shows. Some hosts ask for 2 nights or more, especially at weekends.
Do shortlets have a reception?
Usually not. The host or a caretaker meets you, or sends you the check-in steps. If you want a front desk, look at a hotel or a serviced apartment building.
How do I find a shortlet hotel near me?
Search by your area. Area pages list shortlets in places such as Lekki, Ikeja, Victoria Island and Wuse 2, so you can see what is close to you.
How do I know if a shortlet can be booked online?
On Cabans, open the listing. If you see a booking box with dates and a price, you can book it online and pay securely through Paystack.
Related guides
Shortlet vs hotel in Lagos · Serviced apartment vs hotel · What is a shortlet? · What is a serviced apartment? · How to find a shortlet · Guest house or shortlet in Abuja? · One-night shortlets
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