Long stays are future for business travel

Sunday, 07 Apr, 2005 0

InterContinental Hotels Group is making a bid for the long-stay business travel market by launching a brand dedicated to stays of over five nights. The hotel group is sticking with a current brand, Staybridge Suites, for the long stay product. Staybridge Suites are currently only operating in the US but from late next year the brand will be launched in the UK with two London hotels – one in Brentford close to Heathrow and one near Waterloo. The all-suite hotels will have an upmarket feel, but hope to offer travellers a homely feel with freshly baked cookies, an open kitchen where guests can help themselves to breakfast and drinks receptions for a chance to meet hotel staff and other guests. According to Staybridge Suites EMEA vice president, John Wagner, extensive research by the company found that increasing project-base work, relocation and outsourcing means business travellers are away from home for weeks, sometimes months. “Current hotel choices represent a compromise of what they really want,” he said. And what they really want according to Mr Wagner is larger living space, a home- from-home, a place to socialise, proximity to work and leisure facilities, and a place to prepare their own meals. According to the InterContinental Hotels Group, a total 13.9 million room nights were taken in the UK in 2003 by overseas and domestic travellers who stayed at the same hotel for more than four nights. There are plans to open up to 52 properties in the UK’s major cities and in the US the brand continues to expand from a current 79, to 179 over the coming years. Report by Ginny McGrath

below social share icons

Ginny McGrath

At Wilderness Safaris we believe in creating life-changing journeys and have been doing so for over 39 years. Our purpose...

Atout France guides and supports the French regions with their development strategy and helps set up investment projects in order...

Swallows and Amazons is a Brazilian adventure tour company run by the husband and wife team of Tania and Mark...

Babble is a leading technology business that is reimagining how we do work. Founded in 2001, the company works with...

We are the UK’s leading Canada travel experts Canadian Affair Company Information Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an...

We are a small-group adventure travel operator offering more than 750 tours in 100 countries, on all seven continents. Our...

It’s easy to find perfection in Santa Barbara, but what if there was even more of your favorite finds, activities,...

Central Florida’s Polk County is conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, and an easy drive to Central Florida attractions and...

The Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna – POT) is one of several dozen national tourism organisations operating in the...

AXA Assistance specializes in best-in-class cost containment, health and travel services. Over 60 years of experience combined with a US and...

Blue Diamond Resorts consistently goes above and beyond guest expectations by delivering groundbreaking vacation experiences through our exceptional collection of...

Discover Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, also known as the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast. This natural wonderland is nestled in the...

Classic Collection is where travel expertise and personal service combine to create the perfect luxury holiday. Our travel agent partners...

Global Hotel Alliance brings together a unique collection of independent hospitality brands for GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme. GHA...

At Visit California, our mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry...

With long periods of Thailand’s History, according to evidences and studies, Sukhothai was the first kingdom of Thailand. At that time, an early Thai...

Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s...