The new brand is Wyndham's 25th addition to its portfolio
By Vishnu Rageev RApr 02, 2024
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS and WaterWalk recently launched a new upscale brand, "WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham." This deal will introduce up to 11 hotels with more than 1,500 rooms, initially in markets such as Tucson, Jacksonville, and Wichita. Pictured is the lobby of the WaterWalk by Wyndham – Phoenix.
The new brand is Wyndham's 25th addition to its portfolio and will join the company's existing economy and mid-scale extended-stay brands, Wyndham said in a statement.
“In the last year, guest demand for the extended stay segment reached record highs, which has been underscored by demand from owners and developers looking for new opportunities to partner with Wyndham,” said Chip Ohlsson, Wyndham’s chief development officer. “Our vision is to offer the industry’s most robust portfolio of extended stay brands and the addition of WaterWalk marks an important step in that direction—helping ensure we have an offering in every segment, for every owner and for every guest.”
WaterWalk, founded by the late Jack DeBoer, currently runs 11 hotels in the U.S., the statement added. Newer hotels adopt the brand’s Gen 2.0 prototype, focusing on efficient design and lower operating costs to increase profitability.
WaterWalk is led by CEO Mimi Oliver, who is the granddaughter of DeBoer.
“WaterWalk’s success is the culmination of decades of experience in extended stay combined with a relentless pursuit for driving innovation and delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Oliver. “We believe WaterWalk is our best brand yet and our decision to bring it into the Wyndham portfolio is a pivotal moment in its evolution, one we believe will lead to enhanced efficiencies, performance and growth—all thanks to the Wyndham Advantage.”
WaterWalk provides LIVE and STAY models, the statement said. STAY units are fully furnished for extended stays, while LIVE units are unfurnished, allowing guests to personalize their space. This flexibility allows owners and operators to adapt to market needs in real-time.
Wyndham's third extended-stay offering
This is Wyndham’s third extended stay brand, joining ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham and Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham, the statement said. ECHO Suites, launched in 2022, has over 265 economy new construction hotels in its development pipeline, with half a dozen nearing completion. Hawthorn, introduced in 2023, saw 30 percent growth in its midscale conversion and new construction development pipeline.
In the past five years, Wyndham has invested over $275 million in technology to improve efficiency and support owners' bottom lines, it added. This includes property and revenue management systems, mobile check-in and checkout, and OTA reconciliation, among other initiatives. Wyndham has 9,200 hotels across more than 95 countries on six continents.
Choice recently ceased its bid to acquire Wyndham after its exchange offer expired on March 8, and both companies released statements stating they will now focus on their standalone strategies.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Asian Media
Group USA Inc. and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.