December
2, 2011 - What matters most to business travelers when it comes
to increasing their productivity on the road? Free Internet is
wonderful, smart workspace design is a must and a free hot breakfast is
the icing on top – but the ultimate deal breaker is simply, they need
their space!
As the leader in the extended stay hotel segment, Residence Inn knows
that being on the road for a longer period of time brings its
challenges for travelers who need to continue their life’s routines and
stay productive when away from the home office. Constantly researching
the evolving needs of this unique group of traveler who has stays
lasting a work week or longer, the brand recently partnered with
Popular Mechanics to do an online survey of more than 1,600 readers, an
audience that takes innovation very seriously.
The message was clear as the results revealed that 37 percent of
frequent business travelers consider a spacious, comfortable suite the
most important factor in boosting their business productivity while on
the road. The good news is that an average Residence Inn studio suite,
the brand’s standard room type, measures 469 square feet, 28% larger
than the national average hotel room*. Earlier this year, Residence Inn
also unveiled a new design that focuses on a larger, more productive
work area with an emphasis on natural light to create a more spacious
suite. This new design speaks directly to the needs of long stay
business travelers, 51 percent of whom surveyed by Popular Mechanics
work past normal office hours on the road and spend much of this time
in their rooms.
Guests have plenty of room to spread out in the more than 620 Residence
Inn locations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Europe. With
fully equipped kitchens and separate living space in every Residence
Inn suite, they can enjoy meals at the table or kitchen counter rather
than on their lap in bed, and spread out their electronic lifelines in
a dedicated workspace or on a comfortable sofa.
The Popular Mechanics survey revealed that business travelers can’t
live without their laptops, more-so than tablets, e-readers and MP3
players. These business travelers can also feel comfortable holding an
impromptu business meeting in their suite or walking around freely
while conducting conference calls. Staying fit on the road is easy with
flexible spaces to stretch, practice yoga or catch up on a P90X workout
in the suite.
“Extended stay travelers want to have designated zones for all their
activities. They don’t want to eat where they work and vice versa. Our
spacious suites separate out these areas and allow them to live and
work on the road like they would when they are at home,” said Diane
Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn by
Marriott.
In addition to major business hubs such as New York and Chicago,
Residence Inn by Marriott is seeing extended stay travel on the rise in
cities from Miami to Dallas. Since 82 percent of business travelers
stay in their rooms to do their work**, room size is important,
especially in metropolitan areas where every square foot counts.
- Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/River North offers 401
square foot rooms close to the Merchandise Mart, the Loop business
district and steps from Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile.”
- Residence Inn Miami Airport South features 500 square foot
rooms in the heart of the city’s metropolitan area, near University of
Miami, South Beach and just one mile from Miami International Airport.
- Residence Inn Dallas Market Center offers 550 square foot
rooms, conveniently located right between the American Airlines Center,
Victory Park and the Dallas Medical center.
- Residence Inn Beverly Hills features suites starting at 500
square feet just blocks from Rodeo Drive and in close proximity to
Cedars-Sinai and UCLA Medical Center.
- Residence Inn by Marriott New York/Times Square provides
all of the comforts of home and space to spread out, mere steps from
skyscrapers housing the biggest corporations.
In addition to spacious suites with functional work spaces, Residence
Inn by Marriott offers complimentary free hot breakfast, free wifi,
laundry facilities and complimentary grocery delivery, providing great
value for road warriors.
For more information or to book a stay, please visit:
www.residenceinn.com; www.marriott.com or call 1-800-MARRIOTT. For
business travel tips, breaking news on the brand and to connect with
other business travelers, like Residence Inn on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/residenceinn.
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information.
For more information or reservations, please visit our website at
www.marriott.com, and for the
latest company news, visit
www.marriottnewscenter.com.
Popular Mechanics
empowers readers to navigate the increasingly complex, technological
world around us. The magazine, published monthly by Hearst Magazines,
inspires, instructs and influences nine million curious readers. Their
mindset - the hunger to know, the desire to investigate and learn -
drives them to explore, experiment and experience a wide range of
interests. Issues engage readers with breakthroughs in the latest
innovations in science and technology; educates with informative
“how-to” stories on automotive, the home and digital technology; and
motivates action with product reviews and comparison tests of the
newest equipment and products. Popular Mechanics is also the #1-ranked
men’s monthly magazine when it comes to reaching an environmentally
conscious audience. The brand is a 21st-century must-read, with a
robust Web site (popularmechanics.com) and an award-winning tablet
edition.
*Source: American Hotel and Lodging Association, Typical Midscale Guest
Room Size (source: JN+A & HVScompass’ 2011 Hotel Cost Estimating
Guide)
**Source: iAd survey of Residence Inn by Marriott guests