IN
DESIGN
SETTLING
GUESTS ARE STAYING LONGER — AND MAJOR BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW EXTENDED-STAY PRODUCTS TO MEET THE MOMENT .
Contributed by DEREK HERSCOVICI
Extended-stay hotels — once the domain of road warriors , soon-to-be homeowners , job shifters and even divorcees — are in vogue for travelers and hotel developers , alike . The rise in remote work , a shifting economy and a severe case of ‘ why not ?’ have all contributed to a new kind of traveler that , by choice or by trade , is looking for convenience and cost-effectiveness .
By their very nature , extended-stay hotels are designed for a life in transition . Less expensive than a traditional , by-the-night hotel , with none of the long-term commitment that renting an apartment requires , extended stays are the perfect middle ground . Standard amenities include space for sleeping as well as living , an in-room kitchen , plenty of storage and often an in-lobby market with graband-go snacks .
Major brands are entering the affordable midscale market with their own spin on the format , and some are so new their details are still in the conceptual stage . But with hundreds of properties already in development around North America , the commitment is very real .
Will the hotel landscape ever be the same ? Only time will tell . But one thing is for certain — the comfort of convenience is here to stay .
NEW LOCATIONS In developing its new extended-stay brand for the upper-midscale
60 hotelsmag . com September 2023