Best Western Addresses Demand for Extended-Stay Accommodations

Plans are in the works for to incorporate extended-stay rooms into the design of their newly built properties. According to a story entitled Best Western eyes extended-stay product, published on October 2, 2012 at Hotelnewsnow.com, Best Western International (BWI) intends to have a mix of extended-stay and standard guest rooms in each new hotel. The exact mix will be determined by estimating the demand for extended-stay rooms. BWI upper management expects that at least 20 percent of the rooms will be of the extended-stay variety.

While details about the exact size of the extended-stay rooms have not been finalized, they are expected to be about 33% percent larger than standard guest rooms. Basically, the space required to construct three standard guest rooms will be used to construct two extended-stay rooms.
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The preliminary prototype for these new properties calls for an 84,000 square foot property with approximately 85 rooms and 95 parking spaces. Instead of designing the new hotels, that will include extended-stay rooms, in the shape of an L, the prototype model will make the new facilities in a T-shape. Part of the change in design is to differentiate the new properties with the two different types of rooms from those that only have one regular-type of room. Architects also chose the T-design to jazz up the old look and make it easy to add on or extend the capacity of a property if demand will support such expansion.

Assuming that the preliminary prototype will be implemented and new properties built, they will be part of Best Western’s Plus-level class of hotels. The independent owners of each new property can have the extended stay/standard room property categorized as a Premier level hotel by adding the extra amenities that are required for a best Western property to move into the luxury category.

BWI executives are hoping to attract the traveler who wants a little more space and a few more amenities during their stay. Businessmen, who may be in town for two weeks for a special project, or families who need extra space, are among the groups that are likely to take advantage of extended-stay rooms.

Pricing will be competitive with other more upscale accommodations. Best Western Plus-level hotels are not marketed to the budget traveler. They target guests who like more deluxe accommodations and properties with gyms, swimming pools and breakfast buffets.

Costs for building these new prototype properties vary by location. In Texas, studies estimate the cost per room will average $82,000. In Chicago, it will cost roughly $105,000 per room when a new extended-stay property is built.

More details about the expected roll-out of this new concept will be forthcoming in the next few weeks and months. It does not seem likely that this step will lead to all-suite Best Western hotels in the near future. Having a mix of rooms under one roof makes good economic sense. Guests have different needs and Best Western is seeking to address them all. Guests, who do not require extra space and who are not staying for more than a few days, will be happy with a standard room. Guests, who want to feel a little more at home while spending a week or two in town, will appreciate the extra space and amenities of an extended-stay room.

To learn more about  Extended-Stay Accommodations by Best Western  click here

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