Besides offering traditional , full-furnished suites at its hotels , the Jack DeBoerfounded company also features unfurnished units , allowing guests to personalize the space with their own furniture and personals . It ’ s a move that ostensibly allows customers to move into an apartment without the shackle of a long-term lease .

“ It really is our unique business model . No other hotel chain or brand is offering unfurnished hotel rooms or a blended business model in true residential-style units ,” said Mimi Oliver , CEO of WaterWalk .

Founded in 2014 by the late DeBoer , WaterWalk ’ s all-suite hotels offer two room options under the same roof — Live ( unfurnished suites ) and Stay ( hotel-style , fully furnished rooms ). These room options

create flexibility and value to both consumers as well as investors , the company said .

While Stay rooms can be booked for a minimum of one night to over a year , the Live rooms have to be booked for at least 90 days .

One Waterwalk resident has been staying at the property for

five years , Oliver said .

Although the unfurnished room category was launched in 2014 , these rooms can now be booked seamlessly on the website .

Every room features a fully equipped kitchen with full-sized appliances , a pantry and kitchen island as well as a

The WaterWalk Phoenix North Happy Valley .

full-size washer and dryer and a bathroom . All hotels include The Living Room in the lobby , which have an espresso station , workstations with a printer , oversized wall-mounted board games and a television . Other amenities at the hotels include a fitness center , pool , community events and outdoor spaces .

60 hotelsmag . com Jan / Feb 2024