A growing niche

I have written before about my surprise that there aren’t more players entering the economy end of the US extended stay market. It may not be glamorous or exciting but it is a big market and the margins can be exceptional.

Until now there have been just two players of any serious scale in the sector – Intown Suites and Woodspring Suites – who between them dominate the US market.

But now there is a new outfit in town. Well, sort of. Starwood Capital Group, the owner of InTown Suites, has launched a sister brand, positioned slightly higher in the market but still firmly in the same sector. Uptown Suites, which will be operated by the InTown Suites organisation has opened its first property, in North Carolina, and has plans for rapid growth.

Designed to offer “upscale amenities for guests on an economy budget”, more than 10 Uptown Suites properties are scheduled to open by 2019, including properties in Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, among other states.

Look out for a forthcoming video interview with InTown Suites CEO Jon Pertchik, filmed at the 2017 Serviced Apartment Summit Americas, discussing his plans for the new brand.