BY FRAN GOLDEN
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Marriott opened the first of its moderately
priced, extended-stay hotels, a 95-suite property here, with
officials saying plans call for the chain to have more than 30 of
the properties in place in the next two years and more than 130
TownePlace Suites up and running by 2000.
Like its competitors, which include Summerfield Suites' Sierra
Suites and Choice's MainStay Suites, TownePlace offers clients a
guest room with a working kitchen and facilities that include a
workout room, laundry and swimming pool, but no restaurant.
Marriott added a few extras, however, including 24-hour
staffing, a slightly bigger room configuration and a full oven
rather than the standard microwave and stove.
The prototype TownePlace property here offers 23 two-bedroom
units in addition to studio and one-bedroom offerings.
Marriott does not offer free continental breakfast and regular
cocktail parties as some of its competitors do, but officials said
some social events will be offered on a monthly basis.
Marriott is gearing its new product to those staying 21 days or
more.
Due to the length of stay, TownePlace employees are being
trained to serve as combination managers, housekeepers and local
concierges, offering extra towels and sheets (twice-weekly
housekeeping service is standard) as well as local information and
business services.
The suites are not all two-room but do offer separate living and
bedroom areas and plenty of closet and storage space.
The properties are designed to offer a residential ambience,
with the standard design consisting of two facing buildings with a
"Main Street" running between.
The properties, like the higher-priced Residence Inn product,
are commissionable to agents for stays of up to 30 days.
Daily rack rates are $59 for a studio, $69 for a one-bedroom and
$76 for a two-bedroom unit.
In other hotel news:
* As predicted, hotel rates are on an upswing.
According to the latest Smith Travel Research report, the
average room rate in January was $72.62, which is 7.5% higher than
during the same month a year ago.
The average room rate in hotels in the top 25 markets in January
was $91.10, more than 9% higher than the same month a year ago.
* The Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Tennessee added amenities
on its Renaissance Club Level, including complimentary bottled
water, newspapers, housekeeping service at any time and in-room use
of VCRs or exercise bikes.
* The Radisson Dallas Park Central Hotel completed its $15
million renovation project and is sporting a new lobby, pool and
courtyard area.
Guest accommodations have been enlarged and updated with
oversized desks and such amenities as irons and ironing boards,
hair dryers, voice mail access and a new security system.
The hotel's restaurant also received a face-lift and is
scheduled to reopen in April as Delaney & Murphy
Steakhouse.
* Doubletree Hotels said it acquired the management contract for
the Ramada Hotel at River Park in Norwalk, Conn.
Extensive renovations are to begin on the property in June, and,
after the face-lift, the property is to be reflagged Club Hotel by
Doubletree Norwalk.
The Providence Biltmore Hotel in Rhode Island, completed a $3
million face-lift that included refurbishing of guest rooms, the
lobby and the facade of the property.
New is a Heritage Executive Level on the 12th floor, designed to
be an enclave for business travelers. A new business center also
has been added.
* Ramada is offering business travelers joining its Ramada
Business Card Corporate Program an initial 1,000 free bonus points
and the chance to earn 11 points for every dollar spent at Ramada
properties.
The points are redeemable for free stays at Ramada, airline
tickets, Avis and Alamo Rent A Car discounts and catalog items from
Service Merchandise stores.
Members of the program receive a card with their name and
company name embossed on it.
They also receive special amenities, including daily newspapers,
automatic room upgrades (subject to availability) and check-cashing
privileges as well as express check-in and checkout.