Originally Posted by
Often1
Call the property GM directly. Better yet, stop in to see him. You can often negotiate much better deals with individual properties. Also, consider other things you care about. You have already identified parking, but maybe laundry, maybe food credit, internet access (if it's not already included), lounge access (if there is one) and the like.
Typically, you would enter a contract with a guarantee of X nights for $Y.
Talk to a couple of places to figure out the best deal vs. the type of place.
In the extended stay category (Residence Inn, etc. as the OP mentioned), there are no restricted lounges, just self-service breakfast every day and an evening reception (perhaps with free wine/beer) on weekdays as defined by the property. Suburban parking tends to be free, while city properties probably have a deal with a nearby separately owned and operated garage. Internet is free. There are coin-operated washers and dryers, plus the standard outside dry cleaning pick up and delivery service. Health club and pool facilities are free. Almost all have no restaurants and no room service, although a nearby outside restaurant might deliver food. Basically there aren't any extra features to negotiate other than points earning.
Many of these places fill with business travelers during the week and then switch to families and groups with lower rates on weekends. Families tend to be large, with many small kids, so these places don't seem suitable for romantic weekends.
I think it would be a lot more fun to try meeting in different cities and rather than getting a small utilitarian two-room extended stay unit, try to discover some favorite pleasant hotels and explore new locations. Use lounges to avoid always going out for full dinners rather than trying to cook something in an extended stay home during a brief weekend stay.