ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham has been ranked the number one extended stay hotel brand in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards announced on August 13, 2026. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts dominated the extended stay segment by capturing the top three positions, with Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham and WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham ranking second and third respectively.
ECHO Suites’ Rapid Market Expansion
Launched in 2024, ECHO Suites has quickly expanded with more than 20 hotels operating and over 300 contracts awarded across the United States. Newly opened properties include locations in Savannah, Georgia; Bozeman, Montana; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The brand
focuses on guests staying a week or longer, offering suites equipped with in-room kitchens and essentials tailored for extended stays, blending affordability with comfort.
Hawthorn Extended Stay’s Market Presence and Performance
Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham operates over 100 hotels globally, delivering spacious apartment-style accommodations with well-equipped kitchens. The brand supports flexible development options including new builds, conversions, and dual-brand initiatives. Recent openings in Nashville, Tennessee; Mebane, North Carolina; and Corpus Christi, Texas reflect ongoing expansion. Hawthorn maintains a 135% Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) Index compared to midscale competitors.
WaterWalk Extended Stay’s Upscale Offerings
WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham manages 11 hotels across the U.S., including properties in Huntsville, Alabama; Phoenix,
Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. The brand employs the LIVE|STAY model, offering fully furnished suites for typical extended stays and unfurnished residences for longer-term living. WaterWalk’s 126-unit Gen 2.0 prototype emphasizes efficient design and reduced operating costs serving multiple market segments. Year to date through June 2026, WaterWalk has achieved a 103.2 Occupancy Index, improving 5.4% year over year.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ Scale and Technology Investments
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates approximately 8,400 hotels in nearly 100 countries, comprising 25 brands including ECHO Suites, Hawthorn Extended Stay, and WaterWalk Extended Stay. The company’s portfolio represents over 873,000 franchised and affiliated rooms. Wyndham’s loyalty program enrolls more than 126
million members worldwide. The company has invested upwards of $450 million over eight years in technology, including AI-powered tools like Wyndham Connect and Wyndham AI Concierge to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and support franchisees.
Each brand provides distinct accommodation benefits: ECHO Suites features suites with kitchens for dependable extended stay comfort; Hawthorn offers residential-style spacious units; WaterWalk includes in-unit washers and dryers, fitness centers, pools, and outdoor communal spaces. These amenities align with evolving traveler preferences for stays ranging from a week to several months.
According to Mike Mueller, President of Extended Stay Brand Operations at Wyndham Hotels
& Resorts, the USA TODAY readers’ recognition of all three Wyndham extended stay brands validates the company’s strategic portfolio design. ECHO Suites achieving the top ranking within two years of its first opening demonstrates market acceptance and the strength of Wyndham’s offerings.
Extended stay lodging continues to expand rapidly nationwide, with Wyndham uniquely positioned as the only major hotel company holding the top awards across economy, midscale, and upscale segments. Its diversified brand portfolio supports sustained growth by addressing a wide range of guest needs and market opportunities in this high-demand category.
