Trying to Decide Between Springhill Suites and Residence Inn? This Guide Has All The Answers
You’ve looked at endless hotel options, but you keep going back and forth over Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn. As two of Marriott’s most popular extended-stay brands, they definitely have some similarities. But which one better fits your travel needs?
As an experienced travel writer (and total hotel junkie!), let me break it down for you in simple terms. This detailed Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn comparison will help you pick the perfect “home away from home” for your upcoming trip.
What Are Springhill Suites and Residence Inn?
Let’s start with a quick overview of what each Marriott brand is all about.
Springhill Suites markets itself as an all-suite hotel for both business and leisure travelers. Every room is designed as a mini-suite with separate living and sleeping areas. The vibe aims to be stylish yet laid back.
Residence Inn, on the other hand, is considered Marriott’s extended-stay brand. While they offer traditional rooms, their focus is on multi-room suites ideal for longer visits. You’ll find more residential amenities like full kitchens.
Both promise a comfortable stay with extra space and home-like amenities. But as you’ll see, some nuanced differences emerge when you compare Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn head-to-head.
Room Options – Suites vs Traditional Hotel Rooms
Since both hotel chains prioritize suite-style accommodations, let’s first compare their typical room options and layouts.
At Springhill Suites, you’ll only find studio and one-bedroom suites. These range from around 300-600 square feet and feature:
– Combined living/sleeping area with a sofa or sofa bed
– Small kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker
– Work desk with ergonomic chair
– Separate bathroom
Residence Inn offers a wider array of multi-room suites, including:
– Studio suites similar to Springhill (~300-400 sq ft)
– One-bedroom suites (450-700 sq ft) with separate living room
– Two-bedroom suites (900-1500 sq ft) with one or two bathrooms
Additionally, Residence Inn has some traditional hotel rooms without full kitchens for shorter stays.
Advantages of suites: More privacy and residential feel with defined sleeping and living spaces. Ideal for families or extended stays.
Downside: Costs more and may feel unnecessarily big for single travelers or overnight stops.
Amenities That Matter Most
When comparing Residence Inn vs Springhill Suites amenities, a few key factors can make or break your stay:
Free Breakfast
Both brands offer free hot breakfast, but Residence Inn gets kudos for their robust morning buffets with cooked-to-order items. Springhill keeps it simpler with continental staples.
Pool, Gym, Wifi
Expect an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary wifi at virtually all locations. Though amenity size and quality can vary.
Pet Policies
Love traveling with your furry friend? Both are pet-friendly, though Residence Inn charges higher pet fees ($100+ vs $75-100 at Springhill).
Parking and Shuttles
Complimentary parking is the norm at both brands. Many offer airport shuttles too, particularly locations near major transit hubs.
While the core amenities are comparable, Residence Inn gets an edge for their often-superior breakfast and thoughtful extras like weeknight social hours.
Locations – Where Can You Find Them?
Marriott’s distribution heavily favors Residence Inn with over 800 locations worldwide, compared to around 400 Springhill Suites hotels.
Both are well-represented across the United States and Canada. But internationally, Residence Inn has more of a presence in Mexico, Europe, India, and the Middle East.
You’ll find both brands near major airports, suburban office parks, and other convenient areas for business travel. Residence Inn may have an edge for family leisure destinations too.
Work or Play? Business vs Leisure Stays
Speaking of business or leisure, which Marriott brand makes more sense for each?
For Corporate Travel: Residence Inn feels geared slightly more towards longer corporate stays and relocation housing with spacious multi-room suites, kitchens, free WiFi, and workspaces.
For Families: Need space for the whole crew? Residence Inn’s suites fit more people. But both offer perks like free breakfast, pools, and pet-friendly rooms.
For Couples: Springhill’s studios or one-bedrooms suit couples well without wasted space. Though rates are lower at both versus romantic boutique hotels.
Need meeting facilities? You’ll find them at many Residence Inn locations versus just basic rooms at Springhill Suites.
Neither is a bad choice for any stay purpose. But extend your timeframe or travel with a group, and Residence Inn becomes more compelling.
The Bottom Line – Costs and Value
At the end of the day, price is a huge factor when comparing Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn. But how do their rates stack up?
Typical Nightly Rates:
– Springhill Suites: $100 – $300
– Residence Inn: $130 – $400
As you’d expect, Residence Inn averages higher nightly rates due to their larger suites, extra amenities, and more premium positioning overall. Though rates can range dramatically based on location, travel dates, and demand.
But are those higher rates worth it at Residence Inn? It depends on your priorities and travel needs.
For shorter stays under a week, Springhill Suites is usually the better value. Their studio suites provide ample comfort at very reasonable prices.
For extended stays or family travel, Residence Inn’s enhanced amenities and residential-style suites are worth paying more. You’re getting more space and homely perks.
Overall, both hotel chains enjoy solid reviews and guest satisfaction scores hovering around 4/5 on popular travel sites. Attentive service and cleanliness are consistently praised at each brand.
So Springhill Suites or Residence Inn – Which Should You Book?
At the end of this Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn showdown, here’s my advice:
Go with Springhill Suites if:
– You want a simple, all-suite experience at an affordable rate
– You’re traveling solo, as a couple, or just need basic accommodations
– You prioritize free breakfast and standard amenities over extravagance
– You’ll only be staying for a few nights
Book Residence Inn for:
– Lengthier visits a week or longer where extra space is appreciated
– Family travel – their larger suites are ideal to accommodate kids
– Corporate housing or long business trips with workday requirements
– If you value elevated amenities and services like full kitchens
There’s no definitively “better” brand across the board. It truly depends on your specific travel situation, group size, length of stay, and personal priorities.
But now you have all the insights to weigh the key similarities and differences between Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn. Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free stay!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both Springhill Suites and Residence Inn are excellent extended-stay options under Marriott’s umbrella. You really can’t go wrong with either for affordable, comfortable accommodations with residential amenities.
The choice comes down to your travel needs and budget. Springhill Suites offers outstanding value for shorter stays or solo travelers wanting a spacious studio suite. While Residence Inn’s larger multi-room suites shine for families, groups, corporate travelers, and anyone needing home-like amenities for longer visits.
Hopefully, this guide has cleared up the key differences and similarities between the two brands. You should now feel confident deciding whether the streamlined comfort of Springhill Suites or the elevated residential experience of Residence Inn better suits your upcoming travel plans.
No matter which you pick, get ready to enjoy the top-notch amenities, service, and rewarding stay that you’d expect from Marriott. Safe travels!
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like me to expand on about choosing between Springhill Suites vs Residence Inn? I’m happy to provide any other comparisons or tips to help make your decision easier.