Wyndham has launched its 25th brand, following a strategic agreement with upscale extended stay brand WaterWalk.
Now known as WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham, the brand adds a total of 11 US properties and 1,500 rooms to Wyndham’s portfolio, in locations including Tuscon, Jacksonville and Wichita.
WaterWalk was founded in 2014 by the late Jack DeBoer, an American entrepreneur and hotelier who also created Residence Inn (now Residence Inn by Marriott), Candlewood Suites (now part of IHG’s portfolio) and Summerfield Suites (now part of the Hyatt House brand).
The WaterWalk concept includes STAY units which are fully furnished and cater to guests looking for a traditional extended-stay, residential-like experience, and LIVE units which are unfurnished, allowing guests to create their own long-term space.
The brand joins Wyndham’s two existing extended stay brands – the established midscale Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham, and the economy Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham which was launched in 2022.
Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham officially launched as group’s 24th brand
The news comes as major hotel groups continue to grow their extended stay offerings. In the last 12 months Hyatt has launched the upper midscale Hyatt Studios, while Marriott unveiled the “affordable midscale” StudioRes and Hilton launched the lower midscale LiveSmart Studios.
Commenting on the news Chip Ohlsson, Chief Development Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said:
“In the last year, guest demand for the extended stay segment reached record highs, which has been underscored by demand from owners and developers looking for new opportunities to partner with Wyndham.
“Our vision is to offer the industry’s most robust portfolio of extended stay brands and the addition of WaterWalk marks an important step in that direction—helping ensure we have an offering in every segment, for every owner and for every guest.”
