| Surveyed Chains |
Overviews & Comments |
AKA |
Launched in 2007, AKA is a collection of luxury extended-stay properties in prime urban locations. Current AKA residences are in
New York City,
Philadelphia,
Washington DC,
Beverly Hills CA
and
London.
Features at many locations range from free garage parking to ensuite washer/dryer. Specialty suites
offer added amenities and space such as outdoor terraces, roof decks and solariums. |
Element by Westin |
Starwood's entry in the upscale extended stay tier was launched in 2008 with a hotel in
Lexington Mass. Current locations include
Toronto,
Vancouver and
Frankfurt Germany. Properties boast a number of
environmentally-friendly features. All indoor spaces are 100% non-smoking. Expansion targets include China, Dubai and Tanzania. |
Hyatt House
| This upscale chain has hotels in major US
metro areas, with a strong presence in Northern New Jersey, plus a hotel in
San Juan PR.
Known as Summerfield Suites until 2012, the chain was originally acquired from Wyndham, with 3 California hotels
converted from Woodfin Suites in 2011. In 2012, 15 Hotel Sierra properties were also converted to Hyatt
House. All locations are 100% non-smoking and two-bedroom suites have two bathrooms. Expansion targets include China and Mexico City. |
Residence Inn |
Marriott's upscale extended stay chain was the first (in 1975), is now the largest, and is one of the best. Marriott has done a
good job with the older properties - either keeping them updated, or pushing them out of the chain. Hotels are found throughout the US, including
Alaska, plus 21 in Canada and newer hotels
in San Jose CR,
Edinburgh Scotland,
Munich Germany,
Sarajevo Bosnia,
Kuwait,
Bahrain and
Jazan Saudi Arabia. In addition to evening socials, guests at many hotels enjoy a weekly barbecue. All Residence Inns in North America are 100% non-smoking. |
Homewood Suites |
Hilton's upscale chain is a close competitor of Marriott's Residence Inn. Two-bedroom suites also have two bathrooms.
The chain is expanding rapidly, with
hotels throughout the US, including Anchorage Alaska, plus 16
in Canada and 1 in Torreon Mexico.
In recent customer satisfaction surveys, Homewood has performed very well. Each suite has a clock radio with MP3 audio jack. |
Staybridge Suites |
InterContinental's (Holiday Inn) upscale chain was launched in 1998. It usually matches Residence Inn & Homewood in terms of
guest satisfaction, but at lower rates. Hotels are found throughout the US, plus
Canada (8 locations),
Sao Paulo Brazil,
Chihuahua,
Guadalajara,
Monterrey,
Puebla, and
Queretaro in Mexico,
Birmingham,
Liverpool,
Newcastle,
London/Vauxhall and
London/Olympic Village in England,
Saint Petersburg Russia,
Cairo Egypt,
Abu Dhabi UAE and
Beirut Lebanon.
Two-bedroom suites also have two bathrooms. Self-serve laundry facilities are free of charge. |
Sonesta ES Suites
|
This upscale chain was formed in 2012 with former Staybridge Suites and Residence Inn hotels |
GrandStay Residential Suites
|
This small chain is located in smaller cities of the Midwest, plus
Oxnard California. GrandStay hotels have received good guest reviews. |
Larkspur Landing
|
This small chain is located in northern
California,
Oregon &
Washington. Properties feature high-quality, artistic
decor. One-bedroom "Executive" suites have sofabeds. One-bedroom "Boardroom" suites include a conference
table and wall-mounted presentation board. Many extras are available, such as complimentary laundry facilities, Starbucks coffee, fresh-baked
cookies and a welcome basket. 5 of their hotels were converted from Candlewood Suites in 2004. |
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham |
Hawthorn Suites has more than 100 properties, many of which are former Residence Inns or Candlewood Suites. Most feature studio, 1 and 2-bedroom suites with full kitchens, and
free wired & wireless Internet access. All hotels offer free breakfast buffet, exercise facilities and guest laundry.
Select properties allow pets. All properties in the US offer Wyndham Rewards points. |
TownePlace Suites |
Marriott's midrange extended stay chain is represented throughout the US, plus
Red Deer Alberta, Markham Ontario,
Mississauga Ontario, Sudbury Ontario
and Thunder Bay Ontario.
TownePlace (commonly misspelled "Townplace") is usually one of the
highest rated chains in its class. Some suites have sofabeds. All TownePlace Suites are 100% non-smoking. |
Home2 Suites |
Hilton's entry into the midpriced extended stay market was launched in 2009 in the US, and has since expanded very rapidly. Home2 Suites opened its first
Canadian property in 2014 in Edmonton. It has expanded south to
Queretaro Mexico also. Unlike other extended stay chains, Home2 Suites have no stoves in their kitchens. However,
portable hot plates
are available on request, and kitchens are all equipped with dishwashers. One useful innovation: the self-serve laundromat is combined with the fitness room, so guests can work-out
while keeping an eye on their laundry. All Home2 Suites are 100% non-smoking.
|
Chase Suites
|
Hotels are scattered throughout the US. Two-level penthouse suites are available at many locations. Suites often
feature fireplaces, and sometimes Jacuzzi tubs. All suites and public areas are smoke-free. |
MainStay Suites |
MainStay belongs to the Choice Hotels family. Locations are scattered throughout the US, with 2011 additions in
Edmonton and Winnipeg Canada.
Some locations offer an impressive array of services and amenities. Others less so. |
Candlewood Suites |
InterContinental's midpriced chain is found throught the US (plus Montreal),
and is growing rapidly. Current expansion plans include 15 new hotels for Canada. Customer satisfaction is generally quite high. All
suites are equipped with a recliner; One-bedroom suites also have sofabeds. Free laundry facilities are available. Introduced in 2014
was the Lending Locker, where guests can borrow items ranging from blenders to board games. |
Home-Towne Suites
|
Home-Towne Suites is affiliated with Crestwood Suites and Sun Suites. Hotels are located in smaller cities of the southeastern US. Most suites have a recliner. "Family suites" have a separate
bedroom, plus a bed and pull-out sofa in the main room. |
Extended Stay America |
Very large chain with hotels throughout the US. Launched in 1995, ESA is credited with popularizing extended stay hotels with economy
travelers. |
My Place |
Economy chain with locations in the North Central & Northwest United States, and expanding rapidly throughout the country. All hotels are newly built. The first two locations opened 2012
in Dickinson and Minot ND. Services are
sparse, but room comfort and amenities compare very favorably with other economy extended-stay hotels. |
Crestwood Suites
|
As of ealry 2016, all Crestwood Suites were converted to InTown Suites |
Suburban |
In 2005, the chain was acquired by Choice Hotels, the owner of MainStay Suites. Suburban Extended Stay Hotels are located
throughout the southeastern US, plus
Albuquerque,
Iowa City,
Northern Virginia,
Dayton Ohio,
Boston
and a 2011 addition in Manitoba.
|
WoodSpring Suites |
WoodSpring is a slightly more upscale rebranding of Value Place, mostly completed in 2016.
All hotels are 100% non-smoking. |
Affordable Suites of America
| Hotels are located in North Carolina,
South Carolina,
Virginia &
Augusta Georgia. The mininum lengh of stays is one week. Children are
not permitted. Kitchen wares are only available for an additional fee. |
Studio 6 |
Studio Six is the extended stay affiliate of Motel 6, and has locations scattered throughout the US, plus
Toronto Canada. |
Sun Suites
|
Sun Suites is affiliated with Home-Towne Suites and Crestwood Suites. Hotels are found in the southeastern US, including
Texas. |
Crossland Economy Studios |
Budget sister chain of Home-Towne Suites, with hotels scattered throughout the US. Many have mini
refrigerators (not full size). |
Value Place |
Launched in 2005 by the founder of Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites (now Hyatt House) & Candlewood Suites, Value Place is designed for
extended stay travelers and also for those who wish to "minimize the upfront costs and hassles of renting." The minimum charge is the weekly rate. Kitchenware
and a coffee maker are available only for purchase. Value Place properties first opened in the central US, but nationwide expansion is aggressive. In April
2015, a rebranding was announced. All hotels will eventually be changed to WoodSpring Suites. The name change was intended to
"better communicate the quality" of the chain.
|
InTown Suites
|
InTowns are found throughout the US, concentrated in the southeast. Rates start at just
$150 per week. (The minimum charge is the weekly rate.)
In 2006 InTown acquired all SuiteOne hotels. |
