How Springhill Suites Started In The 90's
 

Does anyone know the very first Springhill Suites that opened in the 90's and if so, what year and location? Wikipedia says 1997, but the Marriott site says 1998. I understand it was called Fairfield Suites back in 1996, only to have a name change to differentiate itself.

It could be a simple difference like maybe they announced the name change in 1997 but actually changed it in 1998. So Wikipedia could be using an announcement data and Marriott could be using the date the signage changed. Or maybe the change started in 1997 but didn't actually completely until 1998.

You might be right.

And I shall remind myself to never use Wikipedia half the time to grab info unless if there's a link to prove that it's legit.

Marriott announced the Fairfield Suites brand in March 1996 as an offshoot of Fairfield Inn (and Fairfield Inn & Suites) by Marriott.

Fairfield Suites properties began to open in 1997. The lobbies and rooms were basic. It was strictly a “no frills” chain, similar to Fairfield Inn at the time, except that the rooms were bigger. The lobby floors were linoleum.

It quickly became clear that the chain could charge higher rates if it enhanced the properties and distanced them from the Fairfield brand.

There were 14 Fairfield Suites properties by March 1998, with 55 more planned over the following 24 months. Marriott initiated a program to spend $50,000 to $200,000 per property to put in well-appointed lobbies and to upgrade the rooms with ergonomic chairs, ironing boards, hairdryers, daily newspaper delivery, and other improvements.

Marriott used focus groups to pick a new brand name. Names in the running included Seneca, Gatepost, Sequoia, and Avenal.

By October 1998, there were 27 Fairfield Suites properties. Marriott announced the winning new name: Springhill Suites. By the end of 1998, the Fairfield Suites brand was gone.

Marriott moved quickly in those days.

Thanks to archive.org, the very first Fairfield Suites was in Minneapolis/Saint Paul.

https://web.archive.org/web/19980111...s/ffsuites.asp

And upon doing some investigation, it's still around today as a Springhill Suites.

Is it SpringHill Suites by Marriott Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport/Eagan, 3635 Crestridge Dr, Eagan, MN?

Yes. Looks very 90's on the outside.

I enjoyed learning about this. As only a Flyertalker would....

Oftentimes, I cannot tell the difference between the Fairfield and Springhill Suites. Both are small, usually not in the city center, and sadly, run-down.

I'm not totally clear on why they exist as separate brands either. The older Springhill/Fairfield's are also pretty interchangeable with Towne Places

Fairfield properties usually have mix of small rooms (the rooms) and larger rooms with a slightly separate sitting/working area (the suites, as they are called). The latter can be quite similar to the suites at SpringHill Suites.

If you've booked at Fairfield and you have elite status, they will try to put you in a suite, even if you only booked a standard room.

If you've booked at SpringHill Suites, you will definitely get a suite, regardless of your status -- because that's all they have.

The experience can be similar, but, on average, SpringHill Suites is better. Both brands include breakfast for all guests as a brand standard, regardless of Marriott Bonvoy membership or status.

I do not stay at SpringHill Suite or Fairfield often. (Sometimes, they're the only Marriott Bonvoy choice in a location, or even the best hotel in a small city.) When I do, they are usually perfectly acceptable. Sometimes, they even exceed my expectations. I like the suite layouts, the in-oom refrigerator, and the sitting area that's more than just a chair next to the bed.

But not always. At a run-down Fairfield Inn in Moline, Illinois, I had a standard room because I had only booked it the same day. It was tiny and depressing. The property is no longer a Fairfield Inn.

TownePlace Suites is different. It's a long-term stay brand with accommodations that are like small apartments with kitchens, but more basic than Residence Inn.