Clean, clever, efficient design builds on Motel 6 experience

Studio 6 prototype guest room.

TORONTO—A year after it unveiled a sleek, functional design for its Motel 6 economy hotels, Accor North America has come up with a similar design for Studio 6, its sister brand for the economy extended stay segment.

And although current Canadian interest is in conversion of existing properties into Studio 6s, Irwin Prince, president of Realstar Hospitality, Canadian franchisor for the brands, sees great opportunities for the new prototype starting next year.  Right now, there is just one Canadian Studio 6 located in Mississauga.  But Realstar is looking at four or five possible conversion deals in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

“Right now, new construction financing is a challenge,” says Prince, though that situation might change by early next year when the new design is ready to roll.

There are many similarities to the new generation Motel 6 design—once again Accor retained London, England-based Priestman Goode to come up with ways to decrease construction costs and increase functionality.

The prototype fits a lot into 280 square feet for the king room, and 318 for the double queen room.  Innovative design elements include the pedestal beds allowing for storage below the bed, flat form mattresses and no box springs, indirect lighting that brightens the space but unclutters the bedside table, and a settee in the corner that can be used for sitting, dining, or doing homework or crossword puzzles.  The flat-panel television comes with a media panel, and wireless Internet is a given.
 
Both bathrooms and kitchens have granite countertops, and while rooms with bathtubs are available, most have walk-in showers.  There’s a small wall-mounted TV guests can watch as they sit at the bar-style kitchen counter, eating their meals.

Green features include the flooring, which, like that used in the Motel 6 design, is made of pre-consumer recycled materials, plus low-energy lighting, recyclable light bulbs, low-flow-showerheads, aerators for faucets and high energy efficiency laundry facilities. “It can be upgraded to become an LEED-certified building.  The basics are all there,” says Prince.

“Studio 6 costs less that any other economy segment hotel in the market.  Everything else is upscale—we’re solidly a bread and butter, middle of the market economy segment hotel.”

Accor is currently building its first prototype in the Dallas area, and the design will be available in Canada starting in 2010.