Wyndham’s latest budget extended-stay brand launches today in the U.S.

Travelers in the U.S. now have a new choice in the rapidly expanding extended-stay hotel sector.

Wyndham's newest brand, Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, opened its first hotel this week in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This 124-room property marks the debut of the new extended-stay brand, contributing to an expanding array of options from Wyndham and its competitors, including Marriott International, Hilton, and Hyatt.

The industry’s move towards extended-stay brands is driven by various factors, and Wyndham executives are particularly optimistic about ongoing infrastructure projects in the U.S. as a boost for future Echo Suites locations. Additionally, the company values the resilience of extended-stay demand, even during economic uncertainty.

"The occupancy rates in the extended-stay segment are outperforming the rest of the industry right now," Wyndham CEO Geoff Ballotti stated in an interview with TPG this week.

A significant wave of construction across the country is anticipated as a result of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2021, along with the $280 billion spending package for chip manufacturing facilities in 2022. Construction workers will need accommodations while on the job, however.

Wyndham executives believe that the construction activity from these combined packages could create a $3.3 billion opportunity for increased room revenue for Wyndham franchisees.

"There’s a lot of construction happening nationwide," Ballotti noted. "We’re already witnessing benefits for our hotels in numerous markets."

Echo Suites Spartanburg features a combination of single and two-queen studio suites equipped with kitchens. Common areas include a fitness center, lobby, and 24/7 laundry facilities. Since Echo Suites targets the economy segment of extended-stay hotels, guests should not expect complimentary breakfast — that amenity is reserved for Wyndham's upscale Hawthorn Suites brand. Wyndham also operates WaterWalk Extended Stay, a hybrid brand offering both furnished and unfurnished units for longer stays.

Guests at Echo Suites can expect clean, furnished, and affordable accommodations. Rates will differ by market, but Echo Suites Spartanburg offered rates as low as $84 per night for stays this week. Complimentary housekeeping is provided every two weeks — typical for extended-stay hotels where guests often stay at least 10 nights — though guests can pay for more frequent cleanings if desired.

According to Ballotti, the Wyndham mobile app also provides a range of amenities, from cookware to soap and shampoo, for guests to order before their arrival.

In line with expectations from Wyndham's competitors regarding their extended-stay brands, Echo Suites is poised for rapid expansion. The company has already secured agreements for 270 Echo Suites hotels, with plans for 75 to either open or be under construction by the end of 2026. By 2032, the brand aims to have 300 hotels operational.

"Considering the infrastructure bill and its funding allocations, it’s no surprise that the states receiving the most funding are also where we have the most executed and signed contracts for Echo Suites by Wyndham," Ballotti stated.