Planning an extended hotel stay soon? Maybe for business travel, visiting family, or just an epic vacation? Well, you’ll definitely want to weigh your options carefully between Homewood Suites and Staybridge Suites.
These two hotel chains cater to longer visits with suite amenities like kitchens. But which brand truly delivers the comfier (and more cost-effective) home away from home experience?
Let’s take a deep dive comparison to find out! We’ll break down everything from suite sizes and room layouts to free breakfast policies and rewards programs. By the end, you’ll know exactly which extended stay hotel best fits your travel needs.
Kitchen Conveniences
One of the biggest draws of extended stay hotels like Homewood Suites and Staybridge Suites? Those nifty in-room kitchens! Having a kitchen suite can save you huge money compared to constantly eating out for every meal on longer trips. Not to mention, the convenience of being able to cook “at home”!
At Homewood Suites, you’ll find full kitchens with full-size refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, dishwashers, and pots, pans, dishes, and utensils provided.
Meanwhile, Staybridge Suites offers kitchen areas with full-size refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, dishwashers, and dishes, pots, pans, utensils, etc.
As you can see, the in-suite kitchen amenities and appliances are pretty comparable between the two hotel chains. So it’ll come down to things like layout preference when deciding which works best.
Suite Layouts & Sizes
Speaking of suite layouts, there are some key differences between Homewood and Staybridge in this department:
Homewood Suites Layouts:
– Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suite options
– Separate living room/bedroom areas
– One king or two double beds typically
Staybridge Suites Layouts:
– Studio and one-bedroom suite styles
– Single open layout without separate living area
– King or two double bed configurations
For larger families or groups, the two-bedroom suite option at Homewood gives you more privacy with the split floor plan. But if you don’t mind less separated spaces, Staybridge’s roomer studios could be perfect.
Free Breakfast? Fitness Center? What Amenities Are Free?
Here’s a quick rundown of some standard free amenities to expect from each brand:
Homewood Suites:
– Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
– Evening socials with food/drinks (M-Th)
– Fitness centers
– Outdoor pools and grills (at most)
Staybridge Suites:
– Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
– Evening receptions with food/drinks (Tue-Thur)
– Fitness centers
– Pools and outdoor living areas (many locations)
In terms of free breakfast, fitness access, pools, and evening hospitality events – it’s pretty much a tie! Both Homewood and Staybridge score well in this area important to extended stayers.
Location, Reviews & More
Of course, there are numerous other factors that could sway your decision like:
Business Travel – Many corporate neighbors and offices tend to prefer Homewood Suites for their business travel needs.
Pet Policies – Both brands are pet-friendly, but Homewood Suites charges pet fees while Staybridge does not.
Hotel Reviews – Checking recent guest reviews on travel sites can give insight into which brand better delivers on cleanliness, comfort, hospitality, etc.
Location/Convenience – This one depends entirely on where you’re traveling and which hotel options are closest to your destination, family, etc.
I could keep going, but I think you get the idea! The key is carefully evaluating your unique travel priorities and needs. From there, choosing between Homewood Suites vs Staybridge Suites for your longer hotel stay should be a no-brainer.
Calculating Costs & Finding Deals
Of course, budget is a huge factor for most of us when booking an extended stay. So let’s talk numbers! Current rates for a standard one-bedroom suite hover around:
Homewood Suites: $120-180 per night
Staybridge Suites: $100-170 per night
As you can see, Staybridge tends to be a tad more affordable on a nightly basis. However, those savings could be offset by Homewood’s free evening socials (cutting down on meal costs) and two-bedroom option for larger groups.
No matter which brand you lean towards, always compare rates for your specific travel dates across multiple sites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and each hotel’s website. AAA membership or corporate rates can trim room costs too.
You can also try calling the hotel directly to ask about any available discounts, package deals, or extended stay pricing. The more nights you book, the cheaper the nightly rate often becomes!
Rewards Programs
One overlooked aspect when weighing Homewood Suites vs Staybridge Suites? The hotel rewards programs! This is a big deal for frequent travelers who want to rack up points for free night stays.
Homewood Suites falls under the Hilton Honors program. For every $1 spent at Homewood or other Hilton portfolio properties, you’ll earn 10-14 Honors base points. Take advantage of elite status tiers and periodic promotions to really maximize your points haul.
Staybridge Suites is part of IHG Rewards (covering Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, etc). You’ll earn 10 points per $1 spent at most IHG hotels, with periodic bonuses and elite member perks.
The “better” rewards program depends on your typical travel patterns and preferences. But it’s something to consider if you’re a road warrior always looking to earn free nights!
Location and Amenities Win
At the end of the day, the best extended stay hotel choice may simply come down to location and amenities. Obviously, you’ll want whichever brand has properties closest to your desired destination.
But just as important are the on-site amenities for your travel needs! If you’re visiting for work, Homewood tends to offer more amenities geared towards business travelers and corporate housing. The separate bedroom areas are also great for distancing yourself from coworkers or offering more privacy.
Leisure travelers may prefer Staybridge’s open concept studios and sprawling outdoor common areas perfect for relaxing.
Then there are factors like fitness centers, pools, free breakfast quality, parking, nearby restaurants and attractions, and much more to evaluate.
Don’t just book the first extended stay option you find! Take the time to review location conveniences and read recent reviews of the specific hotel amenities. Those little details could make or break your “home away from home” experience.
The Verdict: Which Extended Stay Hotel Is Better?
There’s no definitive “best” extended stay hotel between Homewood Suites and Staybridge Suites. It really depends on your unique travel scenario, group size, budget, desired amenities, and personal preferences.
That said, here’s a quick cheat sheet on who should choose which hotel chain:
Go with Homewood Suites if:
– You need a two-bedroom suite
– You prioritize separate living/sleeping areas
– Hilton Honors points are important to you
– You’ll take advantage of the free evening socials
– Locations near your office or corporate housing are ideal
Staybridge Suites may be better if:
– You prefer one open living space
– Lower room rates are your top priority
– The IHG Rewards program benefits you more
– You don’t need to pay pet fees
– Locations match where you want to stay
Regardless of which extended stay brand you choose, always check rates across multiple sites, compare reviews, and scrutinize the amenities that matter most. That way, you’re sure to score an affordable “home suite home” that delivers convenience and comfort.
Conclusion
So don’t just blindly book the first extended stay option you come across. Really take the time to compare Homewood Suites vs Staybridge Suites based on your specific travel needs, priorities and preferences.
If you need more privacy with separate bedroom areas, extra space for larger groups, or put more value in Hilton’s rewards program – Homewood Suites is likely the way to go. The evening food/drink socials are a nice perk too.
However, if you prefer more open suite layouts, low fees (like no pet charges), IHG rewards, or simply the cheapest nightly rates, then Staybridge Suites may be the better extended stay choice.
At the end of the day though, the “best” option comes down to carefully evaluating:
– Room rates and package deals
– Suite layouts and sizes
– Free breakfast quality
– Fitness centers and pool areas
– Evening food/drink offerings
– Pet policies and fees
– Proximity to your destination
– Hotel reviews and ratings
– Rewards program earnings
– Business vs leisure amenities
Take all those factors into account, and you’ll be sure to have a comfortable, convenient “home away from home” experience at whichever extended stay hotel you pick between Homewood Suites and Staybridge Suites.
So do your research, map out your priorities, and get ready to settle in for that upcoming long-term travel! With a kitchen suite, you may even be able to cook up some lifestyle blogger-worthy avocado toast or healthy meal prep.