On August 13, 2026, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts secured the top three positions in USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Extended Stay Hotel Brand. ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham was ranked first, followed by Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham in second place, and WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham at third. Wyndham became the only major hotel company with leading extended stay brands spanning the economy, midscale, and upscale segments.
ECHO Suites’ Rapid Growth and Design Features
Launched in 2024, ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham quickly expanded to over 20 hotels currently open and has awarded more than 300 contracts. The brand is designed
for guests staying a week or longer, offering suites with in-room kitchens and essential amenities. The hotels feature nearly 79% revenue-generating square footage, a compact footprint, and operational efficiencies developed alongside major institutional extended stay developers. New ECHO Suites locations include Savannah, Georgia; Bozeman, Montana; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Hawthorn Extended Stay’s Market Presence
Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham operates more than 100 hotels worldwide, with recent openings in Nashville, Tennessee; Mebane, North Carolina; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Its apartment-style accommodations include spacious living areas and well-equipped kitchens. Hawthorn holds a 135% RevPAR Index compared to midscale competitors, reflecting strong performance and demand in the
sector.
WaterWalk Extended Stay Market Position and Performance
WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham has 11 hotels in the United States, including properties in Huntsville, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. The brand offers fully furnished suites for traditional extended stays and unfurnished residences for longer-term living, featuring in-unit washers and dryers, fitness centers, pools, and outdoor spaces. WaterWalk achieved a year-to-date Occupancy Index of 103.2 through June 2026, a 5.4% increase year-over-year and above its competitive set.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Scale and Technology Investments
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates approximately 8,400 hotels across nearly 100 countries, representing over 873,000 franchised and affiliated rooms under 25 hotel brands, including ECHO Suites, Hawthorn, and WaterWalk. The
Wyndham Rewards loyalty program has more than 126 million members worldwide. Over the past eight years, Wyndham invested more than $450 million in technology initiatives, including AI tools like Wyndham Connect and Wyndham AI Concierge, to enhance franchisee operations and guest experiences.
Official Statement and Award Selection
Mike Mueller, President of Extended Stay Brand Operations at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the portfolio’s tailored offerings for various extended stay travelers and developers’ flexibility in choosing suitable brands for their markets. He emphasized that ECHO Suites securing the top spot two years after its launch is a strong endorsement from the traveling public. USA TODAY 10Best
Readers’ Choice nominees are chosen by travel experts, with winners determined through public voting.
Extended Stay Demand and Wyndham’s Brand Strategy
Extended stay is among the fastest-growing segments in hospitality. Wyndham’s portfolio covers economy, midscale, and upscale market segments, providing options matching diverse traveler and developer needs. The company’s focus includes supporting long-term growth and operational efficiencies through brand differentiation and technological innovation.
