Choice Hotels International Launches “Lobby in a Box” to Enhance Extended Stay Conversions and Guest Experience

New Modular Design Package Offers a Quick Way to Implement Multi-Use Lobby Spaces Tailored for Long-Stay Guests, Expanding Choice’s Conversion Offerings with the Previously Introduced “Kitchen in a Box”

(IN SHORT) Choice Hotels International has launched the “Lobby in a Box,” a proprietary modular design package aimed at enhancing extended stay hotel conversions. This new offering enables hotel owners to transform lobby areas into multifunctional spaces tailored for long-stay guests, while also creating additional revenue streams. The Lobby in a Box complements the previously introduced “Kitchen in a Box,” which allows for the quick installation of fully equipped kitchens in guest rooms. With the increasing demand for extended stay accommodations, these solutions offer a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to new constructions. Hotel owners utilizing these offerings report significant improvements in revenue and guest satisfaction, positioning Choice Hotels as a leader in the extended stay market.

(PRESS RELEASE) NORTH BETHESDA, Md., 2024-Oct-8— /Travel PR News/ — Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s foremost hotel franchisors, has unveiled its latest innovative solution designed specifically for extended stay hotel conversions: the “Lobby in a Box.” This proprietary modular design package enables hoteliers to swiftly transform lobby areas into multifunctional spaces tailored for long-stay guests, providing a valuable addition to Choice’s offerings, which already include the successful “Kitchen in a Box.”

Delivered as a ready-to-assemble unit, Lobby in a Box allows hotel owners to easily adapt their public spaces to better serve long-term visitors, who often prefer the convenience of in-room dining facilitated by the fully equipped kitchens available in extended stay accommodations. This new approach not only repurposes standard lobby dining areas but also introduces fresh revenue streams for the MainStay brand by creating a marketplace featuring convenient food, beverage options, and essential travel items.

Building on the achievements of Kitchen in a Box—a comprehensive solution that has enabled hotel owners to install complete kitchens in guest rooms within a mere 3 to 4 months—Lobby in a Box reinforces Choice Hotels’ expansion efforts into lucrative extended stay markets, offering a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to new constructions.

“As leaders in the extended stay sector, we’re proud to innovate,” said Matt McElhare, Vice President and head of extended stay brands at Choice Hotels. “With demand for extended stay accommodations surpassing available supply, our solutions—Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box—empower franchisees to capitalize on market opportunities while providing an enhanced experience for long-staying guests. Our mission is to streamline the conversion process, maximizing hotel owners’ returns by equipping them to create functional, profitable spaces.”

Meeting Industry Demand

The introduction of Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box is a timely response to the surging demand for extended stay options. Many hotel owners find it easier to secure financing for conversions compared to new constructions, given the lower risk associated with repurposing existing properties.

“Choice Hotels is renowned for its conversion expertise, and we’re raising the bar with our Kitchen and Lobby in a Box initiatives,” remarked Ron Burgett, Senior Vice President of Extended Stay Development at Choice Hotels. “Combined with our dedicated team of over 70 extended stay specialists, we are expediting the transformation of transient hotels into extended stay properties.”

Since its launch in spring 2022, Kitchen in a Box has already been utilized in over 30 open hotels, with additional projects in progress, including three that will also implement Lobby in a Box in their renovations. These innovative turnkey design solutions have significantly contributed to Choice Hotels’ rapid growth within the extended stay market, setting the stage for the opening of the company’s 500th extended stay property this year.

Franchisee Achievements

Owners who have embraced these modular solutions report impressive outcomes. Rushi Vaidya, who transitioned his transient hotel into a Suburban Studios extended stay property using Kitchen in a Box, experienced a remarkable 43% increase in year-over-year revenue per available room (RevPAR) and a 10.2% rise in guest satisfaction scores. “The rapid conversion, coupled with Choice Hotels’ expert guidance, enabled us to transform our property effectively, yielding substantial gains in revenue and guest satisfaction,” Vaidya shared.

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 and exceptionally functional, catering specifically to the needs of extended stay guests. Choice Hotels’ commitment to innovation in this sector has been pivotal to our success,” they noted.

With its two well-established extended stay brands—economy-focused Suburban Studios and midscale MainStay Suites—Choice Hotels is well-positioned to continue its leadership in the extended stay market by providing innovative solutions that benefit both hotel owners and guests.

About Choice Hotels®   
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice® has nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice® to meet travelers’ needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

MainStay Suites®: Live Like Home  
MainStay Suites is a midscale extended stay brand that allows guests to Live Like Home no matter how long they’re away. MainStay Suites hotels offer spacious residential-style suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate areas for working and relaxing, a marketplace and 24/7 laundry facilities. With more than 125 locations open across the United States, MainStay Suites provides the conveniences of home plus the perks of staying in a hotel — like weekly housekeeping, a fitness center, free Wi-Fi and more. To learn more, visit www.choicehotels.com/mainstay.

Suburban Studios®: Hotels for Real Life  
Suburban Studios offers longer-staying guests a comfortable, affordable extended stay experience with hassle-free registration and just the right hotel amenities. With more than 100 locations across the United States, our hotels feature studio suites with in-room kitchens, 24/7 laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi and premium movie channels, and bi-weekly housekeeping. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/suburban.

Forward-Looking Statements    
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other “Risk Factors” described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.

Addendum   
This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 1 Choice Hotels Circle, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850, email: development@choicehotels.com.

Media Contact:

Choice Hotels
Gabriela Melendez
Email: MediaRelations@choicehotels.com

SOURCE: Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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