Hilton has unveiled LivSmart Studios by Hilton as the official name of its new studio apartment-style, extended-stay hotel brand.
Created for the long-stay guest who never stopped traveling, even throughout the pandemic, the brand that was given the working title of Project H3 has received tremendous interest from owners and developers in just six months and currently boasts more than 350 deals in various stages of negotiation, according to the company. Construction in Kokomo, IN, broke ground less than five months after the brand was first announced, marking the first hotel under construction for the LivSmart Studios brand. Construction on the future 137-room property is expected to begin this summer.
“From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “At Hilton, we continue to innovate our brands to meet the needs of the ever-evolving traveler, and we are excited to find an opportunity to better serve the long-stay guest with LivSmart Studios.”
Isaac Lake, brand leader, LivSmart Studios by Hilton, said, “With a resilient $300-billion workforce travel market, the extended-stay segment continues to grow. It has never been as primed as it is now for this long-stay brand, and we’re thrilled with the initial excitement we’ve received from owners.”
LivSmart Studios hotels target an underserved segment of guests staying 20 nights or more. Long-stay travelers can expect three signature elements, according to Hilton:
- Deliberate design: Long-stay guests will be welcomed by the hotel’s exterior of warm wood tones and a modern farmhouse-inspired palette with light industrial touches. Properties will also feature outdoor patios outfitted with grills, a communal fire pit and seating.
- Apartment-style studio accommodations: Each room will feature spacious bathrooms, ample storage space, efficient closet design and movable, multi-purpose furniture that allows guests to utilize the space as a place to work and rest. The kitchen area will include a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, two-burner stovetop and more.
- Nontraditional lobby experience: The brand’s hyper-functional lobby allows sight lines from the front desk to the fitness and laundry areas, as well as a retail market.
