A shortlet is a fully furnished apartment rented per night or per week instead of on a yearly lease. You get a whole apartment — bedroom, living room, kitchen and usually Wi-Fi and a power arrangement — for stays that range from a single night to a few months. In Nigeria, shortlets have become the default choice for holidays, business trips, remote-work stays and transition periods between homes.
Shortlet vs Hotel: Which Is Better?
A hotel sells you a room; a shortlet gives you a home. For anything longer than a couple of nights, shortlets usually win on space and cost: you can cook instead of paying for every meal, host guests, and spread out across a real apartment. Hotels still win on daily housekeeping and front-desk services, so very short stays or heavy-travel trips may favour them. For groups and families, a two- or three-bedroom shortlet is almost always cheaper than multiple hotel rooms.
How Much Does a Shortlet Cost in Nigeria?
Prices depend on the city, the neighbourhood, the size of the apartment and the season — Detty December in Lagos can double nightly rates. Browsing the live shortlet listings for your city is the most reliable way to see the going rate, and our Lagos shortlet guide breaks down what to expect area by area.
What Is Usually Included
- Furnishing — beds, seating, a working kitchen and utensils. Ask whether bedding and towels are provided.
- Power — the single most important question. Mains supply plus what: generator, inverter, solar? For how many hours, and at whose cost?
- Water — borehole and tank in most buildings. Confirm it, especially for longer stays.
- Wi-Fi — usually included, but confirm speed if you are working.
- Security — gated compound, security personnel, and how access works when you arrive late.
- Cleaning — whether it happens mid-stay, and whether it costs extra.
How to Book a Shortlet
- Browse live shortlets and open any listing for photos, price and location.
- Chat directly with the lister in the free ShortRent app — agree your dates, price and check-in details. There are no booking or agency fees.
- Confirm the essentials before paying: exact address, power and generator arrangement, caution deposit and refund terms.
- Be wary of anyone rushing you to pay before you have verified the apartment — see our guide to avoiding rental scams.
- For a remote booking, ask for a live video walkthrough rather than relying on photos alone.
For stays beyond a month or two, price a shortlet against a furnished monthly rental. The nightly premium that makes sense for a week rarely makes sense for a quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is usually included in a shortlet?
A furnished apartment with a kitchen, plus typically Wi-Fi, power (often with a generator or inverter backup) and security. Always confirm the specifics with the lister before booking, especially the power arrangement.
Is a shortlet cheaper than a hotel?
Per night a shortlet is often similar to a mid-range hotel room, but you get a whole apartment and a kitchen, so for stays of more than a few nights — or for groups sharing — the total cost is usually much lower.
Is there a minimum stay for shortlets?
It varies by lister. Many accept single nights; some prefer weekly or monthly stays and will discount longer bookings. Agree the stay length directly in the chat before paying.
Find a Shortlet Anywhere in Nigeria
Browse live shortlets and message the lister directly — no booking fees, no agency fees.
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