Hilton reveals name for new extended-stay hotel brand: LivSmart Studios
Hilton's newest extended-stay hotel chain, which the company announced back in May 2023, finally has a name and the first location should be open for business by the end of this summer.
Originally given the working title, Project H3, the new chain will officially be called LivSmart Studios by Hilton. The first LivSmart Studios, currently under construction in Kokomo, Indiana, is slated to open by late summer of this year, Hilton announced in a release Tuesday morning.
The brand appears to already be a success in terms of owner interest, as Hilton claims more than 350 deals to open outposts are in various stages of negotiation. LivSmart Studios is the newest of Hilton's 22 brands (including its three club and vacation brands) and was part of the company's push into more affordable hotel segments last year following the debut of Spark, a so-called premium economy hotel chain.
It had become a bit of a guessing game in the industry as to when Hilton would officially brand Project H3 after some of its competitors moved ahead with official branding for their own extended-stay hotel concepts.
"After much anticipation, we're thrilled to announce that LivSmart Studios by Hilton is official," Isaac Lake, brand leader of LivSmart Studios, said in a statement. "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."
Why all the extended-stay hotel interest?
LivSmart Studios adds to the growing interest of the broader hotel industry in extended-stay properties, which performed best of any hotel type during the pandemic. Extended-stay hotels typically attract essential workers in fields like construction or healthcare — industries that need people on the road who can't work remotely — as well as those relying on hotels for temporary residences.
Marriott and Hyatt also launched extended-stay hotel brands — StudioRes and Hyatt Studios, respectively — in the last year.
"From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion," Chris Silcock, president of Hilton's global brands and commercial services said in a statement. "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."
When a LivSmart Studios stay is just right
LivSmart Studios by Hilton hotels will be geared toward travelers expecting to stay 20 nights or longer at a stretch. Hotels will feature common areas like outdoor patios with grills, communal fire pits, fitness centers and laundry areas and retail markets. Hilton previously announced there would be free breakfast with grab-and-go items.
Apartment-style studios will feature fully-equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, two-burner stovetops and plenty of storage. Multipurpose furniture in the guest rooms will create versatile spaces for working as well as relaxing and, of course, sleeping
Hilton previously indicated to TPG that a unique on-property elite benefit strategy is in the works for LivSmart Studios — something that Marriott also appears to be doing with StudioRes. That is likely to mean won't get the full roster of elite benefits, nor earn as many points per dollar, as you would at a full-service Hilton property.
Rates at LivSmart Studios are expected to average around $100 per night, TPG previously reported.
Related reading:
- The award traveler's guide to Hilton Honors
- How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
- What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
- The best hotel rewards programs in the world
- Best hotel credit cards
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month