Eight-year-old brand reaches 100thproperty milestone faster than any other brand in the upscale extended-stay category
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Staybridge Suites reached its 100th hotel milestone with a grand opening celebration today at the Staybridge Suites Tallahassee, Fla., arriving at this mark faster than any other hotel brand in the upscale extended-stay category. Staybridge Suites is also experiencing record development growth with more than 100 hotels in the pipeline, expecting to open an estimated 30 of these by year-end 2007 and to more than double in size over the next few years. Staybridge Suites is a member of the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group®) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] family of brands.
„Today marks an extremely important milestone for Staybridge Suites,“ said Robert Radomski, vice president, Brand Management, Staybridge Suites. „Since inception in December 1998, our brand has grown at an exceptionally fast pace as previously evidenced by our ‚fastest to 50′ and ’swiftest to 75‘ hotel records. Now, at 100 hotels and more than 100 in the pipeline, we’re poised to grow at an even faster pace,“ he added.
In addition to its dynamic growth, Staybridge Suites‘ guest satisfaction continues to soar. Since the brand’s first year in operation, nine out of ten Staybridge Suites guest respondents said they were satisfied with their stay. In fact, Staybridge Suites was recently recognized in the 2006 Annual Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) as ranking highest in customer satisfaction among Upscale Hotels. Staybridge Suites developers recognize that among many factors in earning guest satisfaction, consistent delivery of the brand and product quality is essential in maintaining such commendable scores.
„Much of what we like about Staybridge Suites is that the brand focuses on essentials like upscale quality and consistency,“ said Mark H. Daley III, president and CEO, The Generation Companies and Staybridge Suites developer. „We like that the product, while upscale, is not overdone and it doesn’t dramatically increase per key development costs in a pricing environment that is already challenged due to rising general construction pricing.“
Staybridge Suites developers are also seeing a direct link to success through Staybridge Suites‘ parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group, and the IHG enterprise values such as Priority Club Rewards, Global Sales and its global reservations systems. In 2006, nearly 50 percent of revenues booked for Staybridge Suites were generated through IHG’s room night booking channels, including Staybridge.com and 1-800-238-8000. In addition, system contribution from Priority Club Rewards reached almost 50 percent in 2006.
„As we add new developments to our hotel portfolio, we first look at available markets and then decide which brand and segment will give us the best return,“ said David Wespiser, managing member, Hotel Development Services. „Staybridge Suites has proven consistently great returns, and one key factor is the IHG enterprise behind the brand,“ he added. „Currently we have two Staybridge Suites hotels open and two more under development, with several others on the horizon.“
The Staybridge Suites 100th hotel in Tallahassee reveals the latest in technology and upscale home design trends. The hotel incorporates first-of-its-kind industry innovations, including a surround-sound „Just Like Home Theater“ adjacent to the hotel’s great room and, kitchen and bathroom interior design trends that are essential features of upscale living today. These features are elements of the latest Staybridge Suites prototype design launched fall 2006.
The Staybridge Suites Tallahassee, which is owned by Summit East Investors 1 and managed by Dellisart Lodging, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group, is located in a 117 acre high-technology „Smart Campus“ combining innovative technologies, services and amenities.
