Bethesda, Maryland-based hotelier Marriott is expanding its Bonvoy brand with a new franchise of serviced apartments — a long-term accommodation that offers furnished apartment-like rooms with hotel amenities, including housekeeping and concierge services.
Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will include Marriott’s first serviced apartments in the U.S. and Canada, though the company has not yet announced any locations. Marriott has been active in serviced apartments for 26 years through its Marriott Executive Apartments in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
The company will introduce the apartments at the luxury market level with designs that reflect the local area. Each apartment will include a separate living room and bedroom, a full kitchen and an in-unit washer and dryer.
With the launch of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott intends to take advantage of growing consumer interest in more living space and home-like amenities for longer trips, according to a press release.
"Travelers planning vacations and long business trips today are seeking more choice in accommodations, and the introduction of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy responds to those trends,” said Stephanie Linnartz, president of Marriott International in the release.
The model is designed to give Marriott’s owners, developers and franchisees the flexibility to either build a new building or convert an existing one into a new brand location. In addition to the apartments, building amenities will include a welcome lounge, gym and host desk. Food and beverage services and meeting space will not be provided.
The buildings will be serviced on a “light staffing” model, with one host and weekly housekeeping, according to the website.