Choice Hotels International has been widening its network in the extended stay segment and opened 17 MainStay Suites and Suburban Studios between January 1 and September 17.
The new openings helped the lodging company debut in key markets of Las Vegas (with a second hotel opening later this month); Moreno Valley, Calif.; Orlando and Tampa, Fla. A total of 16 of the 17 hotels opened across the two brands are conversions, with the average length of time between contract signing and doors opening around 120 days.
Half of the roughly 70 properties in the pipeline for MainStay Suites and Suburban Studios are conversions, scheduled to open later this month through March 2025.
The success of converting to Choice Hotels’ extended stay brands can be attributed to the group’s “Kitchen-in-a-Box” concept, Choice Hotels said in a statement. The modular kitchen design empowers franchisees to quickly convert almost any transient hotel into an extended stay property with kitchens in all rooms within three to four months. This enables owners and developers to start opening up the rooms more quickly.
“With Choice’s expertise in extended stay, our two conversion brands offer a great opportunity to enter the hottest category in hospitality, backed by the same support system that’s made WoodSpring Suites the most successful brand in the segment,” said Matt McElhare, vice president and lead for extended stay brands for Choice Hotels.
From sales and marketing to training, developers have access to dedicated resources to help maximize their return on investment, McElhare said.
The Suburban Studios guest profile mostly consists of blue-collar infrastructure and construction workers, along with seasonal workers and families. Guests can expect an easy registration system and studio suites with in-room kitchens, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi and biweekly housekeeping. The brand has more than 100 properties across the U.S.
MainStay Suites are primarily preferred by sports teams, medical professionals, business travelers, members of the military, mid-level blue-collar workers, students, professors, medical patients and people relocating or renovating their homes. The midscale extended stay brand allows guests to “Live Like Home” with its residential-style suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate areas for working and relaxing, a marketplace and laundry facilities. MainStay Suites’ portfolio includes more than 125 properties in the U.S.
Hotels by both the brands offer rooms with full kitchens, which have a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave and ample counter space, as well as flatware and cookware. Both the brands participate in Choice Hotels’ rewards program, Choice Privileges.
One of the largest lodging franchisors worldwide, Choice Hotels has around 7,500 hotels, totaling over 630,000 rooms, across 45 countries. The group’s portfolio of 22 brands ranges from full-service upper upscale hotels to midscale, extended stay and economy properties.