Choice To Broaden Extended Stay Reach

Choice Hotels International today announced a development agreement with Bell Hospitality Group to build at least 50 of the company's extended stay brands, with construction beginning on all properties within the next two years.

The agreement will significantly increase the number of Choice extended stay properties. As of Business Travel News' 2007 Business Travel Survey, the company had 29 Mainstay Suites and 60 Suburban Extended Stay properties in operation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Oklahoma City-based Bell Hospitality Group will develop a minimum of 50 properties under the MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay brands, all to be under construction by Oct. 31, 2009. Upon announcement of the deal, nine of the franchise agreements were simultaneously executed. Those first nine builds will be two MainStay Suites properties in Tulsa, Okla., as well as properties in Kansas City, Mo.; Oklahoma City; and Colorado Springs, Colo., and four Suburban Extended Stay Hotels in Louisiana, specifically New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

Additional builds will be in those markets as well as Denver; Houston; Austin; Alexandria, La.; and Albuquerque, N.M. "The fundamental strength of the extended stay market, coupled with two well-segmented brands from Choice, is a powerful combination that has us poised for success in this dynamic segment," Bell Hospitality chairman Garland Bell said in a statement.