New Hampton Inn prototype and brand refresh
 

Hilton PR from yesterday

Looks like the biggest updates will be making the rooms feel more modern but also doing things to likely make them smaller and potentially with lower-end furniture to meet their first two bullet points: "Optimize Revenue-Generation Opportunities for Hampton Inn & Suites prototypeby increasing total key count within the same footprint" and "Drive Cost-Savings by up to 6% on new FF&E [furniture, fixtures, and equipment] packages". That part I don't love, although the new design isn't bad IMO.

Probably the biggest area of contention here will be replacing the closet with an open rack in the standard room prototype, which I'm probably one of the few who doesn't mind it. Probably half the things I've accidentally left behind in hotel rooms over the years were in the closet because it is out of sight, out of mind when packing and leaving (and often during a last minute room check to confirm I have everything).

Don't mind how big the gym is if that is the new standard - hopefully there are fewer and fewer treadmill-elliptical-bike-handful of light free weights gyms.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f2fc3ce460.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...713e532a34.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04880061d7.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e39e3ea669.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0c0d7230e5.png

Initial thoughts from the press release:

- Definitely an aesthetic improvement.

- Marketing folks must get paid by word count.

- I've never heard of the "Hampton Sleep Happy experience", but fingers crossed it comes with low-tech thermostats and HVAC systems that produce cool air.

- Didn't know the waffle was "iconic". I'd prefer they focused on high-protein, less-processed breakfast offerings. I frequent an HIS in FL that tests new breakfasts. The chicken and waffles with flavored sauces were great. As were the fruit smoothie selections. Those disappeared 18+ months ago.

- Glad to see them focus on improvements to an existing brand, rather than adding another.

Shows what you know....

When traveling with 4 kids the fresh waffles are extremely exciting. We have been known to chose one hotel over the other (assuming all else mostly equal) because one shows the waffle iron in the breakfast photos and the other did not

There is a reason why hotels with free breakfasts tend to have a make your own waffle station - outside of being fairly cheap to do (other than a little more cleanup) compared to something like eggs and sausage, it's also a thing that people, especially families, love because it's fun for kids and the waffles will be fresh compared to something sitting in a chafing dish the past 1-2 hours.

Also can be a bit localized. Ie waffles in shape of state in.

This looks like what I've come to expect of Hampton Inn overseas. I've always wondered hoe they could be totally different products but still technically the same line.

I just wish they would add ceiling fans. I stay at Homewood Suites often times exclusively because of that.

Does anyone know what the “sleep happy experience” is?

Sstayed at a Hampton a few months ago. Discovered late at night that bed linen had not been replaced after previous guest. Changing the sheets at midnight was not a happy experience. Without my asking, front desk comped the room at checkout.

In Orlando they have Mickey Mouse shaped waffles. When my kiddos were smaller, they absolutely at those things up. The smiles on their little faces were adorable.

The room looks very similar to the recent Hamptons opened in Europe over the last couple of years.
The problem I have with most new Hampton in Europe is that rooms are so compact that unless it is a stay for a single person/single night for example before flying out, I avoid them.

To be fair, it’s hard to stop talking when you see a “beacon of humanity” setting a “new benchmark” in its “unwavering commitment” to hospitality as it simultaneously opens a “fresh chapter” of “timeless...enhancements.”

What’a a few extra words in the face of such an “exciting … evolution” of an “iconic,” “powerhouse brand” that continues to “connect people from around the globe”?

All good points re: travel with kids. I just haven't seen anyone (of any age) use a waffle maker in a Hampton Inn in a very, long time. Not sure I'd associate the word "iconic" with something that's ubiquitous.

Not sure of your age, but Mr. Dracarys age 57 makes and eats a waffle every trip :D

I have one occasionally and of course my kiddos always have one when we stay.

Glad to see that there is carpet on the floor. :D

I wonder what the suite layout is.

Waffle maker is why I choose Hampton over HIX whenever possible. They were the first brand that totally embraced it. It is now a hallmark of Hampton

dirty sheets...yuck