Hyatt Hotels Corporation has revealed significant updates to Hyatt Studios, the latest select-service brand in the Hyatt portfolio, including executed franchise agreements for the first locations in Mobile, AL, and Marysville, CA.
“Hyatt’s entry into these new markets with Hyatt Studios hotels exemplifies our commitment to developers, guests and World of Hyatt members,” said Dan Hansen, global head, Hyatt Studios. “We’ve learned that when Hyatt guests stay with a competing brand, they appear to do so for one of two reasons: the absence of a Hyatt hotel within five miles or the choice to stay at a lower chain scale. By enabling guests to choose a Hyatt hotel in new markets, we grow brand loyalty without intra-brand competition and present more white-space options to developers.”
Following Hyatt’s announcement of signed letters of interest for more than 100 Hyatt Studios hotels at the brand’s launch in April, the first Hyatt Studios locations will be:
Mobile, AL (Tillman’s Corner)
3H Group Inc., founded by Hiren Desai, has entered into a franchise agreement with Hyatt to build the inaugural Hyatt Studios hotel in Tillman’s Corner, just outside of Mobile. The site will mark Hyatt’s first branded hotel in the area and is located near Mobile Bay’s Gulf Coast. In addition to attracting tourism, the city has a range of industries in manufacturing, aerospace and commercial retail, further enhancing its midscale appeal. This property is set to open in late 2024.
“We are honored to be a part of this significant milestone with Hyatt,” said Desai, president/CEO, 3H Group Inc. “Hyatt’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class service to owners, operators and guests alike makes them the ideal hospitality company to expand our extended-stay presence in this growing community.”
Marysville, CA
Presidio Hotel Development LLC has entered into a franchise agreement with Hyatt for a 113-room Hyatt Studios hotel in downtown Marysville, located in Yuba County and part of the North Sacramento area. Marysville is an ideal location to develop a Hyatt Studios hotel due to the city’s rapid growth in recent years, which has led to increased demand in the midscale segment, the company reports.
Expected to open in 2025, the property will feature a custom buildout, including dedicated meeting spaces, to effectively serve the needs of both business travelers and those attending local events in the area.
“The experience of working with Hyatt is unparalleled,” said Guneet Bajwa, president/CEO, Presidio Hotel Development LLC. “They authentically embrace their ethos of listening to understand and have created an innovative extended-stay offering, shaped by input from the development community. That, coupled with the adaptability to tailor the product to my market’s demands, are among the reasons we’ve chosen to invest in developing a Hyatt Studios hotel.”
Leadership team expanded
Under the leadership of Hansen, a team has been formed to ensure the brand delivers on its value proposition, the company reports. Hyatt veteran Jason Ballard has been promoted to the position of head of operations, Hyatt Studios, reporting directly to Hansen.
Most recently serving as Hyatt’s VP, franchise operations, select-service, Ballard was instrumental in establishing and nurturing Hyatt’s Franchise & Owner Relations Group (FORG), the company reports. Under his leadership, the Americas Select-Service Franchise portfolio saw its highest-ever owner and operator satisfaction scores.
Since joining Hyatt in 2006, he has held positions in revenue management, capital planning and operations analytics across all three Hyatt regions—Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Africa and Middle East.
In addition to Ballard’s role, Hyatt has enlisted internal experts and external industry professionals, making leadership appointments in finance and commercial services. Furthermore, the team has strengthened its development efforts by recruiting additional team members who are dedicated to advancing the expansion of the brand.
“Hyatt’s transformative growth demonstrates the importance we place on fostering strong relationships with owners, developers and franchisees,” said Ballard. “Prioritizing owner satisfaction has allowed us to position Hyatt Studios hotels as a compelling option with competitive market availability. By listening to the needs of our owners and guests, we can now offer solutions for more stay occasions for 40 million World of Hyatt loyalty members.”
