Extended stay brand comes full circle with new hotel in the same state where brand launched in 1996.
ATLANTA – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces a major milestone for Candlewood Suites hotels as the brand celebrates the opening of two new properties – Candlewood Suites Birmingham/Homewood (Alabama) and Candlewood Suites Manhattan (Kansas) – and a portfolio now exceeding 300 hotels. The brand was purchased by IHG in 2003 and has since grown rapidly, nearly tripling in size. The brand is poised to continue its rapid growth, with more than 75 hotels currently in the pipeline.
“We are excited to reach this major milestone,” said Robert Radomski, vice president Brand Leadership, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites. “The Candlewood Suites brand has grown by 100 hotels over the past few years, and our most recent opening in Manhattan, Kan., is just a short drive from Wichita, Kansas where the brand originated in 1996.”
The new Candlewood Suites Manhattan, Kan., hotel has 84 suites and is located at 210 Blue Earth Place in the newly developed downtown area. The hotel is directly across the street from the Flint Hills Discovery Center and provides convenient access to Kansas State University; the U.S. Army’s 100,000-acre Fort Riley, home of the 1st Infantry Division; and the Manhattan Town Center mall.
“We’re pleased to bring the first extended stay property to Manhattan and honored to play a role in growing the Candlewood Suites brand in Kansas. It is thrilling to return to the birthplace of the brand as we hit this important milestone,” said Beth Lohman, general manager, Candlewood Suites Manhattan. “This opening is also exciting for us because this development is an integral part of Manhattan’s revitalized downtown.”
The new Candlewood Suites – Birmingham/Homewood hotel has 81 suites and is located at 400 Commons Drive in Homewood, Ala., approximately eight miles from downtown Birmingham. The hotel offers easy access to Interstate 65 and the Birmingham School of Medicine and Medical Center. Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city, also offers many nearby attractions including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to the vibrant ‘Magic City’ of Birmingham and to all that Candlewood Suites hotels have to offer,” said Kathryn Lomasney, general manager, Candlewood Suites Birmingham/Homewood. “Our guests will love the design of our spacious suites, and the hotel’s amenities will allow them to live comfortably and keep a daily routine similar to that of home.”
Candlewood Suites hotels are focused on comfort, space and value, and all feature a combination of studio and one-bedroom suite floor plans with a fully equipped kitchen, executive desk, DVD player, recliner and telephone with voice mail, plus free local calls along with a variety of home-like amenities, including free wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, free on-site Guest Laundry facilities and the 24-hour Candlewood Gym. Unique to Candlewood Suites hotels, guests can also enjoy the convenience of the Candlewood Cupboard, where a variety of beverages, breakfast items, snacks, frozen entrees and sundries can be purchased on the honor system at any time and where guests can enjoy complimentary, freshly brewed Maxwell House coffee.
Also operating on the honor system is the Candlewood Suites brand’s newest addition, the Lending Locker, featured at both of the new properties. The Lending Locker allows guests to borrow common household items to enhance their extended visit, including desk fans, blenders, board games and more. Additionally, guests can visit the free Lending Library, where movies and music are available for use in the guest suites, as well as enjoy the Gazebo Grill, with gas grill and outdoor dining area for guest use.
The Candlewood Suites Manhattan, owned by Flinthills Hospitality and managed by Noble Hospitality, and the Candlewood Suites Birmingham/Homewood, owned by Lakeshore Holdings, LLC, and managed by N8, LLC, are both franchised by affiliates of IHG.
All Candlewood Suites hotels participate in IHG’s guest loyalty program, priority Club Rewards, the industry’s first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program with 71 million members.
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