Last Updated on December 29, 2024 by Ben
Extended-stay hotels have become extremely popular, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A hybrid between a hotel and an apartment, this category typically offers larger rooms with separate living and sleeping areas, kitchens and other home-like amenities.
The first extended-stay hotels catered to business travelers away from home for weeks at a time. But today’s extended-stay hotels also welcome leisure travelers, and there is no minimum length of stay. Extended-stay properties are located all over the country, particularly near medium-sized and smaller cities.
Benefits of Extended-Stay Hotels
The most popular feature of this type of hotel is the in-room kitchen. This could be anything from a wet bar to a fully equipped kitchen, which gives guests the flexibility to either cook or order in a meal from a local restaurant.
Extended-stay hotels provide a lot of space for the money, and rooms typically include separate living and sleeping areas. You can also expect a desk, several televisions, high-speed Wi-Fi and a pullout sofa, which is a bonus for families.
Many properties offer exercise rooms, swimming pools and business centers. Some have laundry facilities. The public areas of these hotels tend to provide plenty of power outlets so you can plug in a laptop and work just about anywhere.
Your hotel will likely have an eatery of some kind, but not necessarily a full-service restaurant. It’s likely that there will be a grab-n-go cafe offering sandwiches, salads and beverages.
Extended-Stay Brands
Residence Inn, the first American extended-stay brand, was founded in 1975. Today there are dozens of brands in this category, including Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Extended Stay America, Comfort Suites, SpringHill Suites and more.
There are dozens of extended-stay brands, many of which fall under the umbrella of a larger hospitality company. Some of the fastest-growing brands in the segment include Extended Stay America, Hilton’s LivSmart Studios, Hyatt Studios, Wyndham’s Echo Suites and Marriott’s StudioRes.
LivSmart Studios, Hyatt Studios and StudioRes all launched in 2023 and are growing quickly. Wyndham’s Echo Suites, which launched in 2022, is also rapidly expanding. Wyndham also entered the upscale extended stay segment through a strategic partnership with WaterWalk. And Choice Hotels International is in the extended stay arena as well, with its WoodSpring Suites and Everhome Suites brands.
Is an Extended-Stay Hotel Right for You?
For many travelers, extended-stay hotels make an ideal choice. You get a flexible set-up with a kitchen and a large space to spread out. Finally, you get the services that typically come with a hotel.
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