Personal Finance News
Hilton Announces Name for New Extended Stay Brand
After previously announcing an extended stay brand under the code name “Project H3,” Hilton has now revealed the actual brand banner: LivSmart Studios.
About LivSmart Studios:
Hilton has shared more information on its apartment-style extended stay brand. LivSmart Studios will target the lower midscale market and are intended for guests staying 20 nights or more. According to the company, it has more than 350 deals “in various stages of negotiation, with one 137-room hotel in Kokomo, Indiana now under construction and expected to open late this summer. With the introduction of LivSmart Studios, Hilton now has 22 brands in its portfolio.
As previously announced, LivSmart Studios will feature practical room and property amenities for long-stay guests. This includes offering rooms with an equipped kitchen (full-sized refrigerators, microwave, a two-burner stovetop, and more) as well as multi-purpose furniture and a spacious bedroom. Meanwhile, properties will feature outdoor patios with grills, firepits, and other amenities. Hilton also says that LivSmart Studios will have a “nontraditional lobby experience” meant to be hyper-functional. This includes sightlines to fitness rooms, laundry areas, and a retail market.
What they’re saying:
Commenting on the launch of the new brand, Hilton’s president of global brands and commercial services Chris Silcock said, From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion. At Hilton, we continue to innovate our brands to meet the needs of the ever-evolving traveler, and we are excited to find an opportunity to better serve the long-stay guest with LivSmart Studios.”
Meanwhile, LivSmart Studios by Hilton brand leader Isaac Lake stated, “After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce that LivSmart Studios by Hilton is official. With a resilient $300 billion workforce travel market, the extended-stay segment continues to grow.” Lake added, “It has never been as primed as it is now for this long-stay brand, and we’re thrilled with the initial excitement we’ve received from owners.”
My thoughts:
While I could take or leave the name, LivSmart Studios does sound like the type of place I’d want to stay — even if it wasn’t for 20+ nights. Personally, I just love having a hotel room with a usable kitchenette and other practical features. Of course, the odds of me ever visiting a LivSmart Studios will depend heavily on where they are located (and I don’t see myself visiting Kokomo, Indiana per se). As an interested traveler, though, I’ll be keeping an eye on this new brand.
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