arlflyer

Good riddance! The clocks are usually 1) wrong, and 2) set to some previous guest's alarm. In my room, they end up unplugged, buried under a mountain of towels, or stuffed into a drawer.

I agree with the rest of your post though. And your points align with mine - for certain properties. What I am saying is that there are properties who grouse, and cut, and raise prices, and are still raking it in. But there are properties who have navigated increased input costs with a service-oriented, customer-oriented mentality. The latter might be a little further behind than the former on a profit margin basis at this exact point in time, but we'll see who comes out ahead in the long run.

steveholt

This would be very thoughtful if there wasn't simultaneously a lack of staffing in hospitality post-pandemic all around the world as opposed to simply in the US.

N965VJ

Betcha' it going to be like Tru, just with a little kitchenette.

bse118

You forgot 3) Have displays so bright as to disrupt the possibility of sleep. Good riddance to in-room clocks.!

More significantly note that Marriott also seems be planning this type of mid-range extended stay brand.

https://onemileatatime.com/news/marr...y-hotel-brand/

Schnit

Same with me...throw in a free breakfast and I am sold. I dont need fancy, I want affordable rooms with a fridge

khabah

Brand #20 announced today under the working title of Project H3.

khabah

***

Hilton Expands Portfolio with Apartment‑Style Extended‑Stay Brand

Lower midscale brand designed for guests who typically book stays of 20 or more nightsMCLEAN, Va. � Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced an inventive new extended-stay brand designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market � the long-stay guest that never stopped traveling, even throughout the pandemic. Through extensive research, Hilton has created a hotel product for this vastly underserved group looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more, built with the staying power of Hilton�s award-winning hospitality.

Launching in the U.S. under the working title Project H3 as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, this lower midscale, extended-stay solution is the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio of world-class brands. The product provides a reliable and consistent foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most out of every day, and delivers an exciting investment option for developers looking to diversify their portfolio under the Hilton name.

�Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveler, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day,� said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton. �We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton.�

Hilton�s research shows long-stay travelers, including traveling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, value the simple things in life, placing quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

This new extended-stay brand will appeal to the long-stay traveler through signature elements including:

• Deliberate Design: This product will reimagine core design elements from the ground up and deliver all the essential amenities in a warm, comfortable, yet delightfully modern way. Guests are welcomed by the hotel�s inviting exterior, designed to include warm wood tones, and a modern farmhouse-inspired palette with light industrial touches. Outdoor patios are outfitted with grills, a communal fire pit and comfortable seating to make our guests feel like they are truly coming home.

• Spacious Apartment-Style Accommodations: The thoughtfully designed stylish suites feature an adaptable layout with four distinct areas for guests to rest, work, cook and refresh, which seamlessly bridge the gap between comfort and functionality. Ample storage space, efficient closet design, and movable, multi-purpose furniture enable guests to seamlessly enjoy the space as both a place to work and rest. This includes a fully equipped kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, two-burner stovetop and more, as well as a spacious bathroom design, focusing attention on the amenities long-stay guests value most.

• Nontraditional Lobby Experience: Hilton has elevated the extended-stay guest experience with a hyper-functional lobby called The Hive, providing easy access to all amenities. Designed to be inviting for guests and operationally friendly for team members, this nontraditional lobby creates a perfect balance of friendly smiles and self-sufficiency during every guest�s stay. The Hive lobby allows sight lines from the front desk to fitness, laundry, and a simple retail market, creating a safe and welcoming environment for guests whether they are looking to grab a great cup of coffee, fit in a workout or start their laundry.

�Many long-stay guests never stopped traveling during the pandemic, especially within the lower midscale extended-stay segment, and we designed a product in direct response to this growing need,� said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. �Project H3 will disrupt the category and allow Hilton to better provide reliable and friendly service for those who are in it for the long stay.�Hilton is providing owners with another attractive investment opportunity in Project H3. The brand has been developed with input from owners, keeping the needs of the development community and long-stay travelers at the forefront of the design process. The new brand prototype dedicates the majority of space to revenue-generating guest rooms, thus reducing overhead costs for prospective owners.

Through Hilton�s best-in-class commercial engine, owners will have access to above-property revenue management and sales support models that will streamline on-property staffing needs. Automated customer offerings such as digital check-in and Hilton�s Digital Key will enhance the guest experience and create efficiencies for staff.

�Hotel owners have played an integral role in the development of Project H3 and they will continue to guide us as we build this brand from the ground up,� said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer and president, global development, Hilton. �Project H3 has incredible growth potential, tapping into the rapidly expanding and underserved workforce travel market. The response from the hotel owner and developer community has been immediate and enthusiastic. We�re engaged in more than 100 active development conversations, with many owners expressing interest in multiple locations.�

From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history in strategically and organically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion. The addition of this new extended-stay brand enhances Hilton�s diverse brand portfolio which has more than doubled in the past 15 years, including the recently announced Spark by Hilton brand, building on Hilton�s dynamic approach to the rapidly changing marketplace.

Project H3 will participate in Hilton Honors, Hilton�s award-winning guest loyalty program for the company�s portfolio of more than 7,200 properties worldwide. Members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, exclusive member discounts, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

For more information on Hilton�s Project H3, visit stories.hilton.com/ProjectH3.

https://stories-editor.hilton.com/wp...60&crop=1&q=75

Adelphos

The project is allegedly targeted towards project workers, long term stay folks, etc. In many markets it will just a be a low operating cost box available to developers.

Interesting to see the brands basically give up on upper upscale and luxury development. The price we pay for those properties will continue to increase due to no new properties being built

lowfareair

A higher rate will likely be what it takes to get new projects - the ADR being commanded is too close to select service at the moment, especially in cities, given most "full" services are not needed by people in cities as much as they were 30 years ago. Combine that with more risk (longer build times, more areas of the hotel that could be money losers like a restaurant, etc) and it becomes increasingly difficult to justify a Conrad vs Hampton.

bitterproffit

When I had extended stays for work, my company had a per diem, and it was hard to stay at the per diem with stays at the Homewood Suites level of lodging. So, I would either pay the premium difference, or stay at the lower end with other firms. Which meant that I wouldn't get Hilton points.

Some of the lower end extended stays are on the sketchy side (the Extended Stay America by my house is pretty nasty) or housing transients which creates problems with crime, drug use, prostitution, etc.

So, I can see the market for this amongst the traveling workforce that can't get a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites expensed, or they are paying out of pocket. As long as it stays clean and manageable. But it does look like a much smaller room footprint.

dlaue

The one thing I miss when staying for more than a week is a printer.

Most Hilton properties have printers available in their business center.
Most of the time they have paper.
Most of the time they actually work with at least one of the computers.
Sometimes they even print in color.

A few Hiltons don't have functioning printers (looking at you, Hilton Barcelona).

For an extended stay hotel targeting business travelers, I would include a printer/copier in each room....or, offer a printer of your choice for rent by the week or month.

Yes, I know that printer interfaces/drivers/supplies and tech support would be an issue. But, that's an issue I leave for Hilton to work out.

bse118

So it's a low-end Homewood Suites.

Whatever. Don't care one way or the other.

DELee

Looks like a Home2 knockoff - but smaller: HomeLess(tm) by Hilton?

And no free breakfast.

David

dw

So this is the first flag under Hilton with basically no F&B ops whatsoever. I believe the new Spark motel flag will at least offer things like complimentary bagels in the morning.

The Road Goes On Forever

And with where the development pipeline has been for the past decade and with where it's going, Hampton has almost become too much to justify. Top Hilton brands under development for a while now have been Home2 and Tru by a lot. Although if Spark catches on like they hope it will, the growth there will be explosive.

sppunk

They�re targeting this to a 20+ day stay audience and the renderings show a closet that can fit about 3 hanging items. OK then!