lend slowed up our development and a lot of hotel companies are developing their extended-stay brand by using conversions rather than newbuilds.”
Extended stay properties generally comprise a bedroom, sitting room with kitchenette, manned reception, laundry room, larder (usually) and gym (sometimes). Breakfast is provided and, in some hotels, the general manager hosts an evening networking event.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS However, models vary according to expectations in the region. “Americans expect much larger rooms, so they are bigger in the US than in Europe,” says global brand manager for Residence Inn by Marriott, Diane Mayer. “An element of the layout is nuanced in each market – for example, in the Middle East we have a design guideline philosophy which recommends a larger room, and the kitchen is not visible from the sitting room.” Occupancy levels at the 107-unit Edinburgh Residence Inn have been at 76 per cent since opening in April. ‘’Although we are ideal
for long-stay guests, most of whom are in Edinburgh because they are working on projects in the area, we have also had a huge amount of interest from the more traditional customer wishing to stay one-to- two nights,” says general manager Colin Richards. Amrik Parmar, a project manager with IBM, says: “I have been staying at Residence Inn in Edinburgh for more than six months. It’s home-from-home for a number of reasons, including kitchenettes and spacious rooms with comfortable beds. It’s an easy ten- minute walk along the historic streets of Edinburgh to my office, and the staff are friendly and courteous.” Oakwood’s acquisition of
Marriott’s Execustay is part of a larger reciprocal agreement, through which Oakwood becomes Marriott’s preferred provider of corporate housing and furnished apartments in the US for clients who need to stay longer than 30 days, while Marriott becomes preferred hotel provider for Oakwood customers. “The addition of the Execustay brand to Oakwood’s offering expands our footprint and enhances our ability to provide customised, long-term global
housing solutions to our customers,” says Oakwood spokeswoman Sharron Saunders. Execustay will be run as a separate brand and guests will continue to earn Marriott Rewards points. There are 90 Accor Adagio City properties in seven countries, comprising Adagio (midscale) and Adagio Access (economy) – the latter was launched last year. Adagio City provides 24-hour reception, wifi, housekeeping services (according to length of stay), full buffet breakfast and laundry facilities. Adagio Access properties offer laundry, housekeeping and limited reception services. UK’s home-grown lifestyle brand Roomzzz Aparthotels is opening its fifth property in Newcastle in November, with 44 apartments, and is adding a further 11 apartments to its 48-unit property in Manchester. Aiming to provide affordable luxury, the price of a Roomzzz room includes fitted kitchen, wifi, national telephone calls, 24-hour concierge and weekly housekeeping. Apple iMacs (in room) or iPads (public area) are also provided free.
Experience Global Apartment Living
At The Ascott Limited, we offer more than 25 years award-winning experience of delivering quality serviced residences and apart’hotels in over 70 cities worldwide.
Choose from the exclusivity of Ascott The Residence, the vibrancy of a Citadines Apart’hotel or the homely warmth of a Somerset Serviced Residence. Wherever you stay, you’ll benefit from the privacy and space of your own apartment while enjoying the services and convenience of a hotel - perfect for an overnight business trip or longer term stay.
In Europe, choose from 42 locations including six in London: • Ascott Mayfair London
• Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square London*
• Citadines Prestige Holborn-Covent Garden London • Citadines Barbican London • Citadines Prestige South Kensington London * fully-refurbished for 2012
• St Marks Apartments
To book one of our 22,000 apartments worldwide, call 0800 376 3898 (local toll free) or go online at www.the-ascott.com