Group items tagged

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. recently launched Sonesta Essential, a new upper-midscale select-service brand. The company now offers 15 brands. Sonesta Essential is meant to offer easier new builds and conversions with modest brand standards, limited food and beverage requirements and simplified conversion processes, according to the company. "Sonesta Essential is a fresh, new brand carefully designed by Sonesta to deliver a core selection of services compared with other hospitality experiences," said Brian Quinn, Sonesta chief development officer. "With tremendous demand in the select-service category, we are confident that Sonesta Essential will become a leading brand in an exciting, timely and relevant segment." The first two Sonesta Essential hotels will be a franchise in Vacaville, California, which is set to open in late spring 2023, and a managed property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will be converted from a Sonesta Select in the fall of 2023.

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. executed approximately 15 franchise agreements, adding more than 1,900 keys in the first quarter of 2024. These new franchise hotels span Sonesta's brands, including The James, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Essential, Americas Best Value Inn, Red Lion Hotels, Red Lion Inn & Suites, and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta said in a statement. "The 15 signed franchise agreements during the first quarter underscore Sonesta's momentum as we welcome new owners into our growing portfolio and expand our market presence," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's executive vice president and the president of franchise and development. "With a fast, friendly, and flexible approach and a seamless conversion process for our franchisees, we expect continued growth throughout 2024." These agreements highlight Sonesta's appeal as a conversion option compared to larger competitors, the statement added. The company said hotel owners are attracted to the company's focus on maximizing ROI through property rebranding. It offers owners various options across upper upscale, lifestyle, upscale, midscale, extended-stay and premium economy segments.

Sonesta Essential Plainfield, an upper-midscale hotel with 67 rooms, is now open in Indianapolis. The property, owned by Bipin Patel, is the second Sonesta Essential location to launch since the brand's introduction in January. The hotel is near Pioneer Park, Sodalis Nature Park, Indianapolis International Airport, the Indianapolis Zoo, Zip City Indy and the Indiana War Memorial & Museum. Amenities include a fitness center. "We're excited to provide guests with the full range of conveniences offered by Sonesta Essential," said Bipin Patel, owner of Sonesta Essential Plainfield. "From modern sleep amenities to refreshed communal spaces, visitors to Greater Indianapolis now have a fresh choice for dependable and comfortable lodging that caters to their travel requirements."

The Americas Best Value Inn and & Suites Kingwood IAH Airport is now open in Houston. It is owned by Guru Deva Datta LLC led by KC Patel as CEO. The 45-room hotel is near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Kingwood Medical Center and Humble Civic Center. The Kingwood/Humble area also includes parks and trails for hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching, golfing, as well as the Deerbrook Mall. The hotel is pet friendly. "While on the outskirts of Houston and on the footsteps I-69, this Americas Best Value Inn & Suites is in the perfect location for travelers who are looking to explore downtown Houston, with the convenience of being near nature that surrounds the city," Patel said. Sonesta International Hotels Corp. recently completed its purchase of RLH Corp., parent company of the Americas Best Value Inn brand.

Kimberly Midkiff is now director of franchise development and the assurance and marketing program for hihotels by Hospitality International. Prior to that, she was the vice president of development for Sonesta and Red Lion Hotels Corp. Previously, Midkiff was director of sales and operations for JDH Developers, a hospitality real estate firm, according to company. Based in Lakemont, Georgia, she will be responsible for the growth of hihotels' Scottish Inns, Red Carpet Inn, Master Hosts Inns, Downtowner Inns and Passport Inn brands in the Southeast. According to the company, she will provide sales and marketing support and training to franchisees in the area as part of the Assurance & Marketing Program.