What Do Business Travelers Want Most? -- "I Need My Space"

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- What matters most to business travelers when it comes to increasing their productivity on the road? Free Internet is wonderful, smart workspace design is a must and a free hot breakfast is the icing on top – but the ultimate deal breaker is simply, they need their space!

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As the leader in the extended stay hotel segment, Residence Inn knows that being on the road for a longer period of time brings its challenges for travelers who need to continue their life's routines and stay productive when away from the home office. Constantly researching the evolving needs of this unique group of traveler who has stays lasting a work week or longer, the brand recently partnered with Popular Mechanics to do an online survey of more than 1,600 readers, an audience that takes innovation very seriously. 

The message was clear as the results revealed that 37 percent of frequent business travelers consider a spacious, comfortable suite the most important factor in boosting their business productivity while on the road. The good news is that an average Residence Inn studio suite, the brand's standard room type, measures 469 square feet, 28% larger than the national average hotel room[i]. Earlier this year, Residence Inn also unveiled a new design that focuses on a larger, more productive work area with an emphasis on natural light to create a more spacious suite. This new design speaks directly to the needs of long stay business travelers, 51 percent of whom surveyed by Popular Mechanics work past normal office hours on the road and spend much of this time in their rooms. 

Guests have plenty of room to spread out in the more than 620 Residence Inn locations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Europe. With fully equipped kitchens and separate living space in every Residence Inn suite, they can enjoy meals at the table or kitchen counter rather than on their lap in bed, and spread out their electronic lifelines in a dedicated workspace or on a comfortable sofa.

The Popular Mechanics survey revealed that business travelers can't live without their laptops, more-so than tablets, e-readers and MP3 players. These business travelers can also feel comfortable holding an impromptu business meeting in their suite or walking around freely while conducting conference calls. Staying fit on the road is easy with flexible spaces to stretch, practice yoga or catch up on a P90X workout in the suite.

"Extended stay travelers want to have designated zones for all their activities. They don't want to eat where they work and vice versa.  Our spacious suites separate out these areas and allow them to live and work on the road like they would when they are at home," said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn by Marriott.

In addition to major business hubs such as New York and Chicago, Residence Inn by Marriott is seeing extended stay travel on the rise in cities from Miami to Dallas. Since 82 percent of business travelers stay in their rooms to do their work[ii], room size is important, especially in metropolitan areas where every square foot counts.

• Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/River North offers 401 square foot rooms close to the Merchandise Mart, the Loop business district and steps from Chicago's "Magnificent Mile."
• Residence Inn Miami Airport South features 500 square foot rooms in the heart of the city's metropolitan area, near University of Miami, South Beach and just one mile from Miami International Airport.
• Residence Inn Dallas Market Center offers 550 square foot rooms, conveniently located right between the American Airlines Center, Victory Park and the Dallas Medical center.
• Residence Inn Beverly Hills features suites starting at 500 square feet just blocks from Rodeo Drive and in close proximity to Cedars-Sinai and UCLA Medical Center.
• Residence Inn by Marriott New York/Times Square provides all of the comforts of home and space to spread out, mere steps from skyscrapers housing the biggest corporations.

In addition to spacious suites with functional work spaces, Residence Inn by Marriott offers complimentary free hot breakfast, free wifi, laundry facilities and complimentary grocery delivery, providing great value for road warriors.

For more information or to book a stay, please visit: www.residenceinn.com; www.marriott.com or call 1-800-MARRIOTT. For business travel tips, breaking news on the brand and to connect with other business travelers, like Residence Inn on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/residenceinn.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Popular Mechanics empowers readers to navigate the increasingly complex, technological world around us. The magazine, published monthly by Hearst Magazines, inspires, instructs and influences nine million curious readers. Their mindset - the hunger to know, the desire to investigate and learn - drives them to explore, experiment and experience a wide range of interests. Issues engage readers with breakthroughs in the latest innovations in science and technology; educates with informative "how-to" stories on automotive, the home and digital technology; and motivates action with product reviews and comparison tests of the newest equipment and products. Popular Mechanics is also the #1-ranked men's monthly magazine when it comes to reaching an environmentally conscious audience. The brand is a 21st-century must-read, with a robust Web site (popularmechanics.com) and an award-winning tablet edition.

[i] Source: American Hotel and Lodging Association, Typical Midscale Guest Room Size (source: JN+A & HVScompass' 2011 Hotel Cost Estimating Guide)

[ii] Source: iAd survey of Residence Inn by Marriott guests

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.