Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, is set to transform the landscape of extended stay accommodations with its new initiative, Lobby in a Box. This innovative modular design package, exclusive to Choice Hotels, enables hotel owners to convert public spaces-such as lobby dining areas-into multi-functional, revenue-generating hubs in as little as 120 days for its Suburban Studios and MainStay Suites brands.
Delivered in a ready-to-assemble crate, Lobby in a Box provides a straightforward solution for hotel owners looking to meet the unique needs of long-staying guests. Given that these guests often prefer in-room dining thanks to the fully equipped kitchens available in extended stay properties, Lobby in a Box offers a versatile alternative for transforming traditional lobby dining spaces. It allows hoteliers to create new income opportunities by incorporating a marketplace with on-the-go food and beverage options, essential travel items, and more.
Matt McElhare, Vice President and lead for extended stay brands at Choice Hotels, expressed pride in the company’s pioneering role in this segment: “As the demand for extended stay accommodations continues to exceed supply, solutions like Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box help franchisees seize opportunities in a growing market while providing long-staying guests a superior, tailor-made experience. Our goal is to simplify the conversion process and help maximise hotel owners’ return on investment by equipping them with the tools to create spaces that are both functional and profitable.”
The introduction of Lobby in a Box builds on the success of Kitchen in a Box, a turnkey solution that allows hotel owners to install fully equipped kitchens in guest rooms in as little as three to four months. With extended stay demand outpacing supply, these modular solutions are meeting an urgent need for fast, efficient hotel conversions, often with more accessible financing compared to new constructions due to the lower risk profile associated with repurposing existing properties.
“Choice is known for its best-in-class conversion capabilities, and we’re taking it to the next level with Kitchen and Lobby in a Box,” stated Ron Burgett, Senior Vice President of Extended Stay Development at Choice Hotels. “Paired with unparalleled support from our dedicated team of over 70 extended stay experts, we are converting transient hotels into extended stay properties quickly and efficiently.”
Since its launch in spring 2022, Kitchen in a Box has already been utilised in over 30 open hotels, with six more in the pipeline, three of which will also incorporate Lobby in a Box into their renovations. These proprietary design elements contribute to Choice Hotels’ rapid growth in the extended stay segment, positioning the company to celebrate its 500th extended stay property opening this year.
The results are speaking for themselves. Rushi Vaidya, who successfully converted his transient hotel into a Suburban Studios extended stay property using Kitchen in a Box, reported a remarkable 43% increase in year-over-year revenue per available room (RevPAR) and a 10.2% improvement in guest satisfaction scores. “The quick conversion and expert support from Choice Hotels allowed us to transform our property efficiently, and the enhancements have paid off with significant gains in both revenue and guest satisfaction,” Vaidya remarked.
Similarly, Nick Patel and Supan Shah, owners of the MainStay Suites in Columbus, OH, praised the new Lobby in a Box offering: “The design is modern, highly functional, and tailored to the unique needs of extended stay guests. Choice Hotels’ support and focus on innovation in this segment has been a key factor in our success.”
With two established conversion-focused extended stay brands-economy-focused Suburban Studios and midscale MainStay Suites-Choice Hotels is poised to continue leading the charge in the extended stay market through innovative solutions that cater to both hotel owners and guests alike.
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