Why Man Camps Outperform Hotels for Oil & Gas Crews
When it comes to housing oilfield workers, standard options like hotels often fall short. The unique nature of oilfield work presents challenges that require tailored solutions. Crews work in remote locations, endure grueling shifts, and rely heavily on teamwork.
Providing them with convenient, cost-effective, remote workforce housing isn’t just about logistics; it’s about keeping them motivated, productive, and safe. That’s where man camps shine as the superior choice for oil and gas companies.
The Limitations of Hotels for Oilfield Crews
While hotels may seem like a convenient choice for housing oilfield crews, they come with significant drawbacks that can hinder efficiency, inflate budgets, and overlook the specific needs of a hardworking team.
Location Issues
Hotels often aren’t built with oilfields in mind. They’re typically located in urban or semi-urban centers, far from remote worksites. For oilfield crews, this results in wasted hours commuting to and from the job site every day—time that could instead go toward rest or productivity.
Furthermore, lodging in West Texas, particularly in the Permian Basin, is limited. This scarcity can lead to higher prices and difficulties in securing enough rooms during busy seasons. For large crews, finding space in traditional hotels becomes an unreliable and inefficient process.
Cost Inefficiencies
On the surface, booking hotel rooms might seem straightforward, but the costs add up fast. Nightly rates far exceed the discounted pricing typically offered for long-term stays at man camps. Beyond this, additional expenses like meal per diems, laundry services, and transportation to the worksite inflate the budget even further.
These hidden costs can quickly overwhelm a company’s housing budget, especially for extended projects or larger teams. Oilfield man camps, on the other hand, bundle services into a single, predictable monthly rate.
Lack of Crew-Centric Amenities
Hotels cater to vacationers or business travelers, not blue-collar crews spending months on demanding work assignments. They rarely provide communal spaces where team bonding can happen naturally. They also lack diversity in meal options, often forcing guests to rely on nearby fast food or chain restaurants to get by.
Without essential amenities like hot meals, group recreational areas, and fully equipped fitness centers, hotels fail to meet the basic needs of oilfield workers. Comfort and morale suffer as a result.
Key Reasons Oil & Gas Companies Prefer Man Camps
Designed specifically for the unique demands of oilfield work, man camps offer tailored solutions that combine convenience, cost-efficiency, and crew-focused amenities to keep your workforce productive and satisfied.
1. Proximity to Worksites
Man camps are strategically placed near drilling rigs and other work locations. Sometimes, they’re directly on-site or within a short driving distance. This eliminates long, tiring commutes, allowing crews more time to rest, recharge, and focus on work.
2. All-Inclusive Pricing
One of the biggest advantages of man camps is the simplicity of all-inclusive pricing. Meals, laundry services, utilities, and housekeeping are bundled together under one predictable rate. This streamlined approach eliminates surprises, ensures budgets stay on track, and dramatically reduces administrative headaches for corporate travel managers.
3. Crew-Focused Amenities
Man camps are designed with the needs of oilfield workers in mind. Amenities like 24/7 cafeterias serving fresh, hot meals, fully equipped gyms, and rec rooms give workers a comfortable place to unwind. These thoughtful features help boost crew morale and retention by making life easier and more enjoyable during long assignments.
4. Community & Safety
With secure, self-contained campuses, man camps promote both community and safety. Controlled access, on-site staff, and comprehensive security measures ensure peace of mind for workers and managers alike. Contrast this with hotels, where crews are scattered across multiple rooms or floors, making coordination and security more challenging.
5. Scalability
Man camps offer unparalleled flexibility for oil and gas operations. Whether you’re housing a small team or hundreds of workers, man camps can quickly scale to meet fluctuating workforce needs. When projects expand or shifts require rotation, additional accommodations can be seamlessly integrated without disruption.
Cost Comparison: Man Camps vs. Hotels
When it comes to oilfield housing solutions, man camps deliver substantial cost savings over hotels. Bulk discounts for multi-month leases slash overall expenses, compared to sky-high nightly hotel rates. Additionally, the bundled amenities reduce hidden costs like meal per diems and laundry charges, providing even more value.
Happy crews also mean lower turnover. Content workers are more likely to stay with your company, cutting down on recruitment and retraining costs over time.
When Hotels Might Make Sense (And How CHS Helps)
While man camps are ideal for most crews, there are instances where hotels may still be the better choice. For short-term stays under a week or for executives and inspectors who require more upscale accommodations, hotels can fill the bill.
CHS specializes in oilfield lodging solutions and can secure discounted rates for hotel stays, ensuring you still stay on budget when hotels are the best option. With our deep network and buying power, we can negotiate savings and simplify the booking process for all your lodging needs.
FAQs
Are man camps only for large crews?
Not at all. CHS can accommodate both small and large teams, tailoring solutions to meet your workforce size and project needs.
What’s included in a typical CHS man camp rate?
Each rate covers essentials like housing, meals, utilities, laundry facilities, housekeeping, and access to on-site amenities such as gyms and recreation areas.
Can we use man camps for short-term projects?
Yes! While man camps are ideal for long-term stays, CHS offers flexible options for short assignments as well.
Get Expert Help with Employee Lodging
Housing your workforce doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With Corporate Hospitality Services, you get one point of contact to handle all your lodging needs—from man camps to hotels and everything in between. Whether you’re managing a small team or accommodating hundreds, we provide affordable, convenient, and comfortable solutions that keep your crews happy and productive.
Get in touch with us today to secure oilfield housing for your crews! One call is all it takes.
