Hotel Online Special Report
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What Matters Most to Extended Stay Travelers?
Study Uncovers "Little Things"
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 10, 1998 -  From indulging in a good novel to taking a rare, uninterrupted bubble bath, having the space and time to splurge on personal "luxuries" matters most to extended-stay travelers -- the fastest-growing segment of the hospitality market -- according to a recent nationwide poll conducted by Residence Inn by Marriott and www.thetrip.com.

With 7.5 million extended-stay business travelers per year, hotels designed for multi-night trips are in high demand. The "Time Out for Travel" survey of 1,250 business men and women who take extended trips (five or more nights) reveals little things play a big part in balancing work and personal life.

Key findings:

  • Extended-stay travelers confess good-natured selfishness is a valuable benefit of business travel.
  • Discovering pampering time during longer trips recharges guests for home and office.
  • Single mothers benefit most from trips -- 72 percent feel "refreshed" when they return home.
Although 96 percent find personal time "enjoyable" and "well deserved," many professionals feel guilty about paying attention to themselves while unable to share in home responsibilities.

"It's natural to feel guilty about personal responsibilities when traveling, but some of the best ideas on strengthening home and family come during business travel," says Dr. Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.

"Taking time to 'sharpen the saw' like reading and exercising can help you return refreshed rather than stressed out." However, single men (77 percent) claim to be guilt-free when it comes to finding time for themselves. More than 70 percent surveyed say having personal time while on business makes them feel "productive" or "refreshed" upon returning to home and office, contrary to anxiety-ridden stereotypes associated with business travel.

Travelers most enjoy spending spare time in the hotel suite watching television (28 percent), reading a book (16 percent) or indulging in a bubble bath (10 percent). Outside the hotel, guests prefer to sightsee or go out to dinner.

Extended-stay travelers enjoy getting out of cleaning and yard work at home (46 percent) more than paying bills (9 percent). Over half would rather avoid working in the same place every day and putting out "fires" than escape frequent meetings (12 percent). More than 78 percent stay an average of five to 10 nights per trip, and travelers list having suites with greater living space as the most important feature a hotel provides to make the most of personal time.

Residence Inn, the nation's leading extended-stay hotel chain, is specifically designed for extended-stay travelers. Suites are 50 percent larger than traditional hotel rooms, allowing guests the extra space to enjoy personal time on the road. 

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Contact:
Geary Campbell, 
Director of Marriott Communications, 301-380-8521, 
or e-mail, [email protected]
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Also See:
Moderate-Price Vs Upper-End Extended-Stay Hotel: Is There a Profitable Niche? / Robert Mandelbaum / PKF / Oct 1998 
A Closer Look at Life on the Road: Extended Stay Travelers Prefer More Space / Nov. 1997 
US Demand for Extended Stay Properties at Approximately 300,000 Rooms - Current Supply is Less than 100,000 / Sept 1998 
Survey Results of the Extended Stay Lodging Industry / Highland Group / March 1998 

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