NORTH BETHESDA, Md. — Choice Hotels International, Inc. is expanding its portfolio of innovative solutions for its extended-stay hotel conversions with the introduction of Lobby in a Box – a proprietary and exclusive to Choice modular design package that allows hoteliers to transform public spaces, such as lobby dining areas, into multi-functional, revenue-generating spaces in as little as 120 days for its Suburban Studios and MainStay Suites brands.
Delivered in a ready-to-assemble crate, Lobby in a Box empowers owners to easily adapt their lobby spaces to meet the specific needs of long-staying guests, who typically prefer an in-room dining experience thanks to the fully equipped kitchens in guestrooms of extended-stay properties. This approach offers a versatile alternative to convert the standard lobby dining spaces in transient hotels and enables hoteliers to create new income opportunities for the MainStay brand by incorporating a marketplace that features on-the-go food-and-beverage options, essential travel items and more.
Building on the success of the company’s Kitchen in a Box – a turnkey solution that has enabled owners to install fully equipped kitchens into guestrooms in as little as three to four months – Lobby in a Box continues to drive Choice’s expansion into key extended-stay markets with high barriers to entry, where conversions offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative to new construction.
“At Choice Hotels, we are proud to be pioneers and innovators in the extended-stay segment,” says Matt McElhare, VP and lead for Extended-Stay Brands for Choice Hotels. “As the demand for extended-stay accommodations continues to exceed supply, solutions like Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box are helping franchisees seize opportunities in a growing market while providing long-staying guests a superior, tailor-made experience. Our goal is to simplify the conversion process and help maximize hotel owners’ return on investment by giving them the tools to create spaces that can be both functional and profitable.”
Since its launch in the spring of 2022, Kitchen in a Box has been used in more than 30 open hotels, with six more in the pipeline, including three that are also incorporating Lobby in a Box into their renovations.
