InTown Suites

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Intown Suites

Type
Founded	1988 (Atlanta)
Headquarters	USA
Industry	Lodging, extended stay
Website	www.intownsuites.com

Intown Suites is a chain of extended stay facilities in the United States, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia that caters to traveling workers and guests in transition between homes or apartments. It is currently one of the fastest growing extended-stay chains in the United States, with 139 locations in 21 states, mostly located in the south and central parts of the country. The company is known for low weekly rates and apartment style amenities.

1 Rates and services
2 History
3 Criticism
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Rates and services

Currently, weekly rates range from $159 to $349, depending on the market. Guests are charged by the week rather than the night, with no discounts from the weekly rate for stays that are fewer than seven days. However, it is stated on the chain's website that a stay of three nights provides a discount as opposed to a regular hotel.

The chain strives to be the cost/value leader in all markets that it serves. Until recently, two locations, both in the Atlanta area, had the lowest weekly rate of $149. Though intended by the company to be profitable, they functioned in the way a loss leader does for a business, by attracting customers to the chain on the basis that weekly rates are "as low as $149." Both these properties now charge $159 per week, the same amount as several other facilities in the state of Georgia.

The company, which owns and operates all of its locations^[1] rather than franchising them, has become one of the most successful extended-stay companies in the United States, while at the same time, has been considered controversial in its treatment of guests.

Much of this controversy stems from the fact that InTown Suites is a limited service lodging facility. The company offers value to its guests by providing rooms with apartment-style amenities, such as kitchenettes, on-site guest laundry and free high-speed internet. This is provided at low weekly rates. In order to maintain these rates, the company does not provide the amenities offered by more traditional nightly stay hotels, such as soap, shampoo, towel replacements, or daily housekeeping. Though cost-conscious extended-stay guests consider the trade-off worthwhile, others accustomed to more traditional lodging report disappointment in the services and have advised that renting a home or an apartment on a short term basis is actually just as cost effective when trading off for security and privacy.

[edit] History

Intown Suites was founded in 1988 by David Vickers.^[2] During nearly two decades of existence, Intown Suites has proven to be a very successful business, and is currently one of the fastest growing extended-stay chains.

In 1998, Intown Suites expanded from 26 to 76 properties in a $150 million investment that was an alternative to going public.

In 2001, Intown Suites had a room occupancy rate of 87%, compared with a 73% average for the entire industry^[3].

In 2002, Intown Suites expanded by purchasing Suburban Lodges of America for $99 million. ^[4]

In 2006, Intown Suites acquired all SuiteOne hotels. ^[5]

In 2007, InTown Suites purchased another 12 Suburban Lodge locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

So far in 2008, InTown Suites has purchased two additional Suburban Lodge locations in Houston, Texas.

[edit] Criticism

While Intown Suites strives to provide quality lodging and temporary housing at a cost as low as possible, the company has been criticized over various issues for not doing enough to address the issues and clean up the image of the company.

Many of the employees are ill-advised and lack customer service skills. The low cost of Intown Suites, many located in suburban areas, has also drawn lower income customers. In some upper- and middle-class communities, such as one in Minneapolis, police departments have complained that the locations draw an undesirable population to these areas not accustomed to crime.^[6]