Wyndham Hotels & Resorts secured the top three positions in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Extended Stay Hotel Brand, announced on August 13, 2026. ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham was ranked number one, while Hawthorn Extended Stay and WaterWalk Extended Stay brands ranked second and third respectively, making Wyndham the only major hotel company to dominate all economy, midscale, and upscale extended stay segments in this nationwide public vote.
Wyndham’s Extended Stay Brands and Recent Expansions
ECHO Suites, launched in 2024, offers suites designed for guests staying one week or longer with in-room kitchens and essential amenities. The brand prioritizes operational efficiency
with nearly 79% revenue-generating square footage and a compact footprint. ECHO Suites currently has more than 20 hotels open and over 300 contracts awarded, including recent openings in Savannah, Georgia; Bozeman, Montana; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham operates more than 100 hotels worldwide, providing spacious apartment-style accommodations with well-equipped kitchens. It has a 135% RevPAR Index against its midscale competitors. Recent Hawthorn locations include Nashville, Tennessee; Mebane, North Carolina; and Corpus Christi, Texas.
WaterWalk Extended Stay runs 11 hotels across the U.S., including in Huntsville, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. WaterWalk features the LIVE|STAY model
with fully furnished suites and unfurnished residences. Its Gen 2.0 126-unit prototype aims to reduce operating costs and serve diverse guest needs. Through June 2026, WaterWalk posted a 103.2 Occupancy Index, increasing 5.4% year over year.
Wyndham’s Scale, Technology, and Loyalty
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates roughly 8,400 hotels across about 100 countries on six continents, managing 25 brands including ECHO Suites, Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, and La Quinta. Its Wyndham Rewards loyalty program has enrolled over 126 million members globally.
Over the past eight years, Wyndham invested more than $450 million in technology, including AI-driven tools such as Wyndham Connect and Wyndham AI
Concierge. These technologies aim to improve franchisee operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and increase direct bookings while lowering labor expenses.
Strategic Brand Positioning and Market Demand
The emergence and growth of ECHO Suites address increasing national demand for extended stay accommodations. Developed with leading institutional extended stay developers, ECHO maximizes construction and operational efficiencies to optimize owner returns. Wyndham’s extended stay portfolio covers economy, midscale, and upscale market segments, offering distinct lodging options tailored to different traveler durations and preferences.
Mike Mueller, President of Extended Stay Brand Operations at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, emphasized that the company’s portfolio was designed to provide appropriate experiences for all
types of extended stay travelers while offering flexibility for owners and developers. The 2026 USA TODAY readers’ rankings affirm Wyndham’s leadership in extended stay hospitality.
USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Selection Process
The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice nominees are chosen by a panel of travel experts, with winners determined through public voting nationwide. Wyndham’s sweep of the top three spots in the best extended stay hotel category illustrates the company’s strong presence in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the lodging industry.
