IHG has signed agreements to open two
new Staybridge Suites, the first major hotel brand to focus on the
extended stay business guest in the UK, in Birmingham and Newcastle in
2008. This announcement follows the signing today of an agreement between IHG
and Trinity Hotels to develop the hotels, which IHG will manage under
the Staybridge Suites brand on a 20-year management contract.

Staybridge Suites Aston will be located on Aston Park Way in the Aston
Science Park, close to Birmingham city centre, and will offer 120
suites. Subject to planning approval, construction will start in autumn
2007.

 

The 120-suite Newcastle hotel will occupy a prime city centre site in
Melbourne Street, ideally located for the city’s main business district.
Construction of Staybridge Suites Newcastle will commence in July 2007.

 

Each Staybridge Suites hotel will contain spacious one bedroom and
studio suites, with modern interior design to create a residential ‘home
from home’ environment for extended stay business travellers - those who
typically stay more than five nights. All suites will include a fully
equipped kitchen, with public areas incorporating a Hub Kitchen and
Living Room with open fire, the Pantry, a 24/7 mini convenience store
and an outdoor terrace with barbecue.

 

IHG-commissioned research shows that business travellers on long-term
assignments want to stay in something distinctly different from a
regular hotel room and the brand has already proved highly successful in
the US, with the recent opening of the100th Staybridge Suites. 

 

The Staybridge Suites brand was launched in the UK in 2005 with the
announcement to open a 124-suite hotel in Brentford and a 113-suite
property on London’s South Bank. The Aston and Newcastle hotels will be
the third and fourth Staybridge Suites hotels in the UK.

 

John Wagner, Vice President of Staybridge Suites, commented: “I am
delighted that we have signed contracts to bring the Staybridge Suites
concept to Birmingham and Newcastle. Both cities are economic hubs with
a diversity of local and international businesses and industries, so we
are confident that long-term business travellers will be attracted by
accommodation specifically designed for their needs - a home rather than
a hotel.”

 

“We plan to open 22 Staybridge Suites hotels across the UK within four
years. With four projects now signed and others in the pipeline, I am
confident that Staybridge Suites will soon become in demand by today’s
business travellers.” 

 

Mike Birchall, Managing Director of Trinity Hotels, said: “Hotels are a
new area of development for our group. Staybridge Suites, with its
exciting business traveller concept, makes an attractive business
partner and we are very much looking forward to working with them.”

 

Staybridge Suites is continuing to look for sites close to business
districts and transport hubs in key cities across the country.
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