SERVICED APARTMENTS


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LAYING FOOTBALL WITH FELLOW GUESTS – and almost forming a team – doesn’t typically feature on a business traveller’s agenda for a long- stay trip, but that’s exactly what happened to Gary Banks. The 26-year-old operations


manager for Stagecoach, who comes from Liverpool, needed to be in Manchester for four months as part of his job, and opted for Staybridge Suites Manchester – Oxford Road as a temporary base. “I played football down the road with guests twice a week and we had almost enough players for our very own Staybridge Suites five-a-side football team,” he says. “The staff host three socials a week, which give guests a chance to socialise with like- minded people in the Hub Kitchen and have a drink and food. I’ve built real friendships with fellow extended-stay guests.”


WORDS CATHERINE CHETWYND


The nurturing of camaraderie is the result of operators recognising the need to offer more to customers, not just through communal spaces but also by training employees to take an interest in guests. That’s how they differentiate themselves and get an edge over competing hotels. Banks continues: “There is a real sense of community, especially from the staff, who go out of their way to be friendly and get to know you. It makes being away from home so much easier – especially at important times of the year, like birthdays,” he says.


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