Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has debuted its first-ever ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham hotel with the grand opening of the ECHO Suites Spartanburg in South Carolina.
The debut of the 124-room property, managed by Sandpiper Hospitality, marks a major milestone for the brand, which has grown its development pipeline to nearly 270 hotels and more than 33,000 rooms across the U.S. and Canada. Timed amid an influx of infrastructure projects expected across the country over the next decade, additional ECHO Suites are slated to open in Texas and Virginia this year.
“It is our fastest-growing brand,” said Geoff Ballotti, president/CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “I think it will remain our fastest-growing brand for some time given the interest that’s out there for this type of product. The demand for extended-stay products continues to outpace supply.”
The arrival of ECHO Suites coincides with historic infrastructure investments in the U.S., including $1.2 trillion in approved funding as part of the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act. This is coupled with $280 billion as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, driving construction of new chip manufacturing plants across the U.S.
Together, these projects are creating a tailwind for Wyndham and the everyday business traveler, particularly construction and other trade workers, many of whom are in need of long-term accommodations as they travel to job sites across the country. The work is expected to bring a $3.3 billion opportunity in additional room revenue to Wyndham franchisees over the multi-year period of spend.
“Spartanburg, like many other cities around the country, is booming with projects that require long-term, comfortable and affordable stays,” said Philip Cox, owner, ECHO Suites Spartanburg. “ECHO Suites is the answer with a well-designed prototype created with the operator in mind. Plus, when you add in the collaboration with the world’s largest hotel franchisor, it’s a perfect match.”
The purpose-built, new-construction, 124-room ECHO Suites prototype requires under two acres of land and has a highly competitive cost per key. Coming in at approximately 50,000 sq. ft., the prototype is designed to offer 79% of revenue-generating square footage, according to the company. Rooms consist of single- and two-queen studio suites with kitchens as well as efficiently designed public spaces—a lobby, fitness center and 24/7 guest laundry—that are designed to help limit labor needs.
Wyndham has also introduced Mandeep Singh as VP, extended stay operations. He brings more than 20 years of global experience in extended-stay hotels, corporate housing, serviced apartments and multi-family properties. In this new role, he oversees Wyndham’s portfolio of extended-stay brands with a focus on ECHO Suites and the new Waterwalk Extended Stay by Wyndham brand.
“There’s enormous potential in the extended-stay segment, and the opening of our first ECHO Suites in Spartanburg is an exciting example of the brand delivering on that opportunity to our owners,” said Krishna Paliwal, president, Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham/head of architecture, design and construction, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “With the addition of Mandeep Singh, we’re reinforcing our commitment to our ‘owner-first’ philosophy as we continue to grow ECHO Suites to meet the needs of today’s guests.”
In addition to the opening of the first ECHO Suites in Spartanburg, the brand is on track to have 75 hotels open or under construction by the end of 2026 and 300 open hotels by 2032.
