Hilton’s newest extended-stay hotel chain, which the company announced back in May 2023, finally has a name and the first location should be open for business by the end of this summer.
Originally given the working title, Project H3, the new chain will officially be called LivSmart Studios by Hilton. The first LivSmart Studios, currently under construction in Kokomo, Indiana, is slated to open by late summer of this year, Hilton announced in a release Tuesday morning.
The brand appears to already be a success in terms of owner interest, as Hilton claims more than 350 deals to open outposts are in various stages of negotiation. LivSmart Studios is the newest of Hilton’s 22 brands (including its three club and vacation brands) and was part of the company’s push into more affordable hotel segments last year following the debut of Spark, a so-called premium economy hotel chain.
It had become a bit of a guessing game in the industry as to when Hilton would officially brand Project H3 after some of its competitors moved ahead with official branding for their own extended-stay hotel concepts.
“After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce that LivSmart Studios by Hilton is official,” Isaac Lake, brand leader of LivSmart Studios, said in a statement. “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.”
Why all the extended-stay hotel interest?
LivSmart Studios adds to the growing interest of the broader hotel industry in extended-stay properties, which performed best of any hotel type during the pandemic. Extended-stay hotels typically attract essential workers in fields like construction or healthcare — industries that need people on the road who can’t work remotely — as well as those relying on hotels for temporary residences.
Marriott and Hyatt also launched extended-stay hotel brands — StudioRes and Hyatt Studios, respectively — in the last year.
“From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion,” Chris Silcock, president of Hilton’s global brands and commercial services said in a statement. “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.”
When a LivSmart Studios stay is just right
LivSmart Studios by Hilton hotels will be geared toward travelers expecting to stay 20 nights or longer at a stretch. Hotels will feature common areas like outdoor patios with grills, communal fire pits, fitness centers and laundry areas and retail markets. Hilton previously announced there would be free breakfast with grab-and-go items.
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Apartment-style studios will feature fully-equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, two-burner stovetops and plenty of storage. Multipurpose furniture in the guest rooms will create versatile spaces for working as well as relaxing and, of course, sleeping
Hilton previously indicated to TPG that a unique on-property elite benefit strategy is in the works for LivSmart Studios — something that Marriott also appears to be doing with StudioRes. That is likely to mean won’t get the full roster of elite benefits, nor earn as many points per dollar, as you would at a full-service Hilton property.
Rates at LivSmart Studios are expected to average around $100 per night, TPG previously reported.
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