Delivered in a ready-to-assemble crate, the program allows hotel owners to easily adapt their lobby spaces to meet the specific needs of long-staying guests, who typically prefer an in-room dining experience using the fully equipped kitchens in rooms of extended-stay properties. This approach offers a versatile alternative to convert the standard lobby dining spaces in transient hotels and enables hoteliers to create new streams of income for the MainStay brand by incorporating a marketplace that features on-the-go food and beverage options, essential travel items and more, the company reports.
Building on the success of Choice’s Kitchen in a Box—a turnkey solution that has enabled hotel owners to install fully equipped kitchens into guestrooms in as little as 3-4 months—Lobby in a Box continues to drive Choice’s expansion into extended-stay markets with high barriers to entry, where conversions offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative to new construction.
“At Choice Hotels, we are proud to be pioneers and innovators in the extended stay segment,” said Matt McElhare, VP/lead, extended-stay brands, Choice Hotels. “As the demand for extended stay accommodations continues to exceed supply, solutions like Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box are helping franchisees seize opportunities in a growing market while providing long-staying guests a superior, tailor-made experience. Our goal is to simplify the conversion process and maximize hotel owners’ return on investment by giving them the tools to create spaces that are both functional and profitable.”
In many cases, securing financing for conversions is more accessible than for new builds, due to the lower risk profile associated with repurposing existing properties.
“Choice is known for its best-in-class conversion capabilities, and we’re taking it to the next level with Kitchen and Lobby in a Box,” said Ron Burgett, CVP, extended-stay development, Choice Hotels. “Paired with unparalleled support from our dedicated team of over 70 extended stay experts, we are converting transient hotels into extended stay properties quickly.”
Tags: Matt McElhare, Ron Burgett Choice Hotels International Inc., Kitchen in a Box, Lobby in a Box