In a U.S. market where extended-stay is becoming one of the most contested growth arenas for midscale and upscale properties, Hilton Worldwide's brands earned a commanding first-place finish in the extended-stay portion of BTN's annual Hotel Survey.
Hilton topped second-place Hyatt Hotels Corp. by more than a tenth of a point on an ascending one-to-six scale. Indeed, first, second, third and fourth place in this year's extended-stay survey were separated by more than a tenth of a point—establishing more distinct positions than in last year's tight rankings. However, the ratings across all four hoteliers improved significantly on 2025 scores.
The extended-stay sector is an attractive place to compete, boasting resilient demand, lower operating costs than traditional hotels and more room for expansion relative to traditional select-service brands.
After recording a year-over-year revenue per available room decline in January, U.S. extended-stay hotels' RevPAR growth accelerated during the first half of 2026, according to extended-stay lodging analytics firm The Highland Group.
Increases in demand growth at U.S. extended-stay hotels have been "consistently higher than the long term average," according to Highland, including a 6 percent year-over-year gain during the second quarter. At the same time, the projected 4.5 percent supply growth in 2026 is below the long-term average. Extended-stay rooms under construction also fell 30 percent between the back half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, to "just over half the number reported two years ago."
Those market conditions make for stronger hotelier pricing power in the sector, which could make rate negotiations difficult for corporate buyers.
Hilton's Dominant Lead
Hilton earned the highest ratings in six categories in the extended-stay portion of BTN's Hotel Survey: traveler safety and security, product quality and service consistency, rate availability and transparency, sales empowerment and responsiveness, partnership approach to corporate business and data quality and reporting.
Hilton's presence in extended-stay is mostly centered in its Home2 Suites and Homewood Suites brands. Upper midscale Home2 Suites is Hilton's fastest-growing brand, with more than 900 properties globally and nearly 750 hotels under development. Upscale Homewood Suites has more than 560 properties worldwide.
In January, Hilton launched Apartment Collection, supported by a partnership with accommodations provider Placemakr, to grow apartment-style inventory through development deals with multifamily property owners. There are currently three Apartment Collection properties open in Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, with a Pittsburgh property slated to open later this year.
Hilton also continues to grow its midscale, workforce-targeted LivSmart Studios brand, which launched in 2025 and now has five properties open with more expected this year.
Hilton VP of global business travel sales Christiane Cabot Bini said that, along with growing its extended-stay portfolio, Hilton has made a concerted effort to support the unique needs of long-term stays for corporate travel. Hilton has a dedicated sales team with extended-stay expertise that sits within its business travel sales division—and it's a team that's been growing, according to Cabot Bini.
"They're working directly with workforce customers, relocation partners and insurance housing providers every single day," Cabot Bini said. "We want to build longstanding partnerships, and we've been doing that with the customers in these segments."
Cabot Bini pointed to Hilton's virtual card partnership with Conferma as one example of how the company supports workforce organizations because "the vast majority of the people they're deploying are on virtual credit cards."
Hyatt's Home-Like Feel
The Hyatt Studios Mobile's breakfast seating Source: Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Hyatt Hotels Corp. scored highest in two Hotel Survey extended-stay categories: traveler safety and security and onsite programming.
The hotelier's extended-stay portfolio features upscale Hyatt House and newcomer Hyatt Studios, an upper-midscale brand launched last year that accommodates long-stay and transient guests.
Hyatt Studios currently has six properties located in secondary and tertiary U.S. markets, though the brand last year signed a development deal to bring 50 Hyatt Studio properties to China.
Hyatt House currently has about 150 open hotels across 129 cities around the globe. The brand is positioned to grow in urban, airport and college campus destinations, according to Hyatt's developer site. Its properties feature apartment-style kitchen suites, meeting space, workout facilities and social spaces, including outdoor patios and the H Bar for dining and beverages.
"There's a lot of thought and design that goes into making sure that we're accommodating people that are coming in for those longer stays," said Hyatt SVP global sales and commercial services for the Americas Alice Harrington-Caravello, "that they feel comfortable in the space they have and it feels more cozy like their home."
Marriott's Undeniable Scale
The Element Salt Lake City Downtown Source: Marriott International
Marriott International has one of the largest extended-stay portfolios of any hotel company in the world and earned the top score for strategic locations for business needs in the extended-stay portion of BTN's Hotel Survey for the third straight year.
Marriott's extended-stay portfolio features six brands: Residence Inn, Element by Westin, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, StudioRes and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy.
New kid on the block StudioRes opened its first property last year in Fort Myers, Fla. Growth of the midscale brand will center on new builds in the U.S. and Canada and conversions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to Marriott's developer site. As of June 30, the brand currently had 12 properties open in the U.S. and Canada.
Marriott chief commercial officer for the U.S. and Canada Andy Kauffman told BTN via email that extended-stay remains an important part of the company's growth strategy.
"Our strategy is centered on being in the places our guests need to be, close to business centers, infrastructure projects, healthcare hubs and other demand drivers," Kauffman said in a statement. "We see significant opportunity to serve travelers seeking longer stays while also delivering efficient, attractive development opportunities for owners."
IHG's Steady Growth
The Atwell Suites Austin Airport Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts
While IHG Hotels & Resorts didn't receive the highest score in any of the extended-stay criteria, it improved on its total score from last year by more than a tenth of a point.
Its extended-stay portfolio comprises Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites and its newer Atwell Suites brand, launched and opened in 2022.
As of June 30, upper midscale Atwell Suites has 11 existing properties with 61 in the development pipeline across the Americas and Greater China. Midscale Candlewood Suites has about 433 properties open with 204 in the development pipeline, while there are about 355 upscale Staybridge Suites open with 152 in the pipeline.