InTown Suites
Encyclopedia
Intown Suites is a chain of extended stay facilities in the United States
, headquartered in unincorporated
Cobb County
, Georgia
. The chain caters to traveling workers and guests in transition between homes or apartments. The suites are also suited to individuals and families that experience loss of a home due to storm damage or other natural disasters. Intown Suites is currently one of the fastest growing extended-stay chains in the United States, with 138 locations in 21 states, mostly located in the south and central parts of the country. The company is known for low weekly rates and apartment style amenities.
Currently, weekly rates range from $149 to $259, depending on the market. Guests are charged by the week rather than the night, with no discounts from the weekly rate for stays that are fewer than seven days. However, it is stated on the chain's website that a stay of three nights provides a discount as opposed to a regular hotel.
The chain strives to be the cost/value leader in all markets that it serves. Three locations, all in the Atlanta area, have the lowest weekly rate of $149. Though intended by the company to be profitable, they function in the way a loss leader
does for a business, by attracting customers to the chain on the basis that weekly rates are "as low as $149."
The company, which owns and operates all of its locations rather than franchising them, has become one of the most successful extended-stay companies in the United States, while at the same time, has been considered controversial in its treatment of guests.
Much of this controversy stems from the fact that InTown Suites is a limited service lodging facility. The company offers value to its guests by providing rooms with apartment-style amenities, such as kitchenettes, on-site guest laundry and free high-speed internet. This is provided at low weekly rates. In order to maintain these rates, the company does not provide the amenities offered by more traditional nightly stay hotels, such as soap, shampoo, towel replacements, or daily housekeeping. The chain also usually does not provide swimming pools or free breakfasts. Though cost-conscious extended-stay guests consider the trade-off worthwhile, others accustomed to more traditional lodging report disappointment in the services and have advised that renting a home or an apartment on a short term basis is actually just as cost effective when trading off for security and privacy.
In 1998, Intown Suites expanded from 26 to 76 properties in a $150 million investment that was an alternative to going public.
In 2001, Intown Suites had a room occupancy rate of 87%, compared with a 73% average for the entire industry.
In 2002, Intown Suites expanded by purchasing Suburban Lodges of America for $99 million.
In 2006, Intown Suites acquired all SuiteOne hotels.
In 2007, InTown Suites purchased another 12 Suburban Lodge locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
In 2008, InTown Suites purchased two additional Suburban Lodge locations in Houston, Texas.
Many of the employees are ill-advised and lack customer service skills. The BBB
has numerous complaints against the company particularly for its undesirable employees. The low cost of Intown Suites, many located in suburban areas, has also drawn lower income customers. In some upper-
and middle-class communities, such as one in Minneapolis, police departments
have complained that the locations draw an undesirable population to these areas not accustomed to crime.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, headquartered in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Cobb County
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The chain caters to traveling workers and guests in transition between homes or apartments. The suites are also suited to individuals and families that experience loss of a home due to storm damage or other natural disasters. Intown Suites is currently one of the fastest growing extended-stay chains in the United States, with 138 locations in 21 states, mostly located in the south and central parts of the country. The company is known for low weekly rates and apartment style amenities.
Rates and services
The chain strives to be the cost/value leader in all markets that it serves. Three locations, all in the Atlanta area, have the lowest weekly rate of $149. Though intended by the company to be profitable, they function in the way a loss leader
Loss leader
A loss leader or leader is a product sold at a low price to stimulate other profitable sales. It is a kind of sales promotion, in other words marketing concentrating on a pricing strategy. A loss leader is often a popular article...
does for a business, by attracting customers to the chain on the basis that weekly rates are "as low as $149."
The company, which owns and operates all of its locations rather than franchising them, has become one of the most successful extended-stay companies in the United States, while at the same time, has been considered controversial in its treatment of guests.
Much of this controversy stems from the fact that InTown Suites is a limited service lodging facility. The company offers value to its guests by providing rooms with apartment-style amenities, such as kitchenettes, on-site guest laundry and free high-speed internet. This is provided at low weekly rates. In order to maintain these rates, the company does not provide the amenities offered by more traditional nightly stay hotels, such as soap, shampoo, towel replacements, or daily housekeeping. The chain also usually does not provide swimming pools or free breakfasts. Though cost-conscious extended-stay guests consider the trade-off worthwhile, others accustomed to more traditional lodging report disappointment in the services and have advised that renting a home or an apartment on a short term basis is actually just as cost effective when trading off for security and privacy.
History
Intown Suites was founded in 1988 by David Vickers. During nearly two decades of existence, Intown Suites has proven to be a very successful business, and is currently one of the fastest growing extended-stay chains.In 1998, Intown Suites expanded from 26 to 76 properties in a $150 million investment that was an alternative to going public.
In 2001, Intown Suites had a room occupancy rate of 87%, compared with a 73% average for the entire industry.
In 2002, Intown Suites expanded by purchasing Suburban Lodges of America for $99 million.
In 2006, Intown Suites acquired all SuiteOne hotels.
In 2007, InTown Suites purchased another 12 Suburban Lodge locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
In 2008, InTown Suites purchased two additional Suburban Lodge locations in Houston, Texas.
Criticism
While Intown Suites strives to provide quality lodging and temporary housing at a cost as low as possible, the company has been criticized over various issues for not doing enough to address the issues and clean up the image of the company.Many of the employees are ill-advised and lack customer service skills. The BBB
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
has numerous complaints against the company particularly for its undesirable employees. The low cost of Intown Suites, many located in suburban areas, has also drawn lower income customers. In some upper-
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
and middle-class communities, such as one in Minneapolis, police departments
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
have complained that the locations draw an undesirable population to these areas not accustomed to crime.