LOS ANGELES Following a brief period of adjustment, Embassy Suites Hotels has gotten well back on track, enjoying measurably improved performance over the past several months, according to SVP/Embassy Suites Brand Management Mark Snyder.
At an on-site media meeting at the UCLA Conference here Snyder said that the brand intends to focus developmental efforts on selected urban markets this year, with its short list including San Francisco, Seattle, Sacramento, Boston, New York, Baltimore and Chicago. At this point, Embassy Suites now has 159 properties open, with 10 more openings on tap this year and a goal of 200 sites operating by 2004.
Snyder told HOTEL BUSINESS. that this year s 8% – 10% growth in critical mass will largely be brought about via property-specific built-to-suit development though some conversions will probably be brought into the mix as well. Another avenue aimed at helping the brand expand in secondary and tertiary markets is the continued reliance on Embassy Suites 150-room alternative prototype.
However, Snyder explained, whenever and wherever practical, we prefer to lean on our standard 240-suite property model. (1/18/01)