Hilton Hotels announced ‘LivSmart Studios by Hilton’ as the official name of its new studio apartment-style, extended-stay hotel brand. Created for the long-stay guest who never stopped traveling, even throughout the pandemic, LivSmart Studios has received tremendous interest from owners and developers in just six months and currently boasts more than 350 deals in various stages of negotiation. In fact, construction in Kokomo, Ind. broke ground less than five months after the brand was first announced, marking the first hotel under construction for the LivSmart Studios brand.
LivSmart Studios by Hilton is the newest addition to Hilton’s portfolio of 22 world-class brands. The lower midscale, extended-stay solution provides a reliable and consistent foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most of every day.
“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.”
“From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “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.”
“After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce that LivSmart Studios by Hilton is official,” said Isaac Lake, brand leader, LivSmart Studios by Hilton. “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.”
LivSmart Studios hotels address a clear void in the market by targeting an underserved segment of guests staying 20 nights or more. This intentional approach positions LivSmart Studios as a disruptive force in the extended stay market by meeting the distinct needs of longer-term guests with essential amenities for an exceptional stay experience. Long-stay travelers can expect three signature elements, including:
Deliberate Design: Long-stay guests will be welcomed by the hotel’s inviting exterior of warm wood tones and a modern farmhouse-inspired palette with light industrial touches. Properties will also feature outdoor patios outfitted with grills, a communal fire pit and comfortable seating to make it truly feel like home.
Spacious Studio Apartment-Style Accommodations: The adaptable layout of the thoughtfully crafted suites will provide comfort and functionality. Each room will feature spacious bathrooms, ample storage space, efficient closet design, and movable, multi-purpose furniture that allows guests to utilize the space as a place to work and rest. The kitchen area is also especially important to long-stay travelers and will include a fully equipped kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, two-burner stovetop and more.
Nontraditional Lobby Experience: The brand’s hyper-functional lobby allows sight lines from the front desk to the fitness and laundry areas, as well as a simple retail market, creating a safe and welcoming environment for long-stay guests looking to grab a great cup of coffee, fit in a workout or start their laundry.
LivSmart Studios by Hilton will participate in Hilton Honors, Hilton’s award-winning guest loyalty program for the company’s portfolio of nearly 7,400 properties worldwide. Members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, exclusive member discounts, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.
In October, Hilton celebrated the groundbreaking of the brand’s first hotel. Construction on the future 137-room property in Kokomo, Indiana is expected to open by late summer of 2024.