Lodging facilities are places where guests can stay for a self-determined duration, and which provide housekeeping services to those guests. Normally this category refers to places offering short-term stays away from home, but it can include apartments with hotel-like services and flexible leasing arrangements.

Short visits away from home are the usual arrangement, but duration alone does not set an absolute boundary. Apartments with hotel-like services and flexible leases can also meet the lodging definition.

Hospitality identifies accommodation offered for short stays, commonly by the day. Short-term housing identifies temporary or indefinite residence operated as a lodging establishment; the guest arrangement differs from an ordinary permanent home.