CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced updates to Hyatt Studios, the latest select-service brand in the Hyatt portfolio, including executed franchise agreements for the first locations in Mobile, Alabama, and Marysville, California, entering markets where Hyatt’s brand presence is yet to be established. Hyatt Studios is the company’s first upper-midscale extended-stay brand in the Americas.
“Hyatt’s entry into these new markets with Hyatt Studios hotels exemplifies our commitment to developers, guests, and World of Hyatt members,” said Dan Hansen, global head of Hyatt Studios. “We’ve learned that when Hyatt guests stay with a competing brand, they appear to do so for one of two reasons: the absence of a Hyatt hotel within five miles or the choice to stay at a lower chain scale. By enabling guests to choose a Hyatt hotel in new markets, we grow brand loyalty without intra-brand competition and present more white-space options to developers.”
Following Hyatt’s announcement of signed letters of interest for more than 100 Hyatt Studios hotels at the brand’s launch in April, Hyatt now confirms the first Hyatt Studios locations:
Mobile, Alabama (Tillman’s Corner)
3H Group, Inc has entered into a franchise agreement with Hyatt to build the inaugural Hyatt Studios hotel in Tillman’s Corner, just outside Mobile, Alabama. The site will mark Hyatt’s first branded hotel in the area and is located near Mobile Bay’s Gulf Coast, providing extended-stay guests access to the port city. This property is set to open in late 2024.
“We are honored to be a part of this significant milestone with Hyatt,” said Hiren Desai, president and CEO, 3H Group, Inc. “Hyatt’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class service to owners, operators, and guests alike makes them the ideal hospitality company to expand our extended-stay presence in this growing community.”
Marysville, California
Presidio Hotel Development LLC has entered into a franchise agreement with Hyatt for a 113-room Hyatt Studios hotel in downtown Marysville, California, located in Yuba County and part of the North Sacramento area. Expected to open in 2025, the property will have a custom buildout, including dedicated meeting spaces, to serve the needs of both business travelers and those attending local events in the area.
“The experience of working with Hyatt is unparalleled. They authentically embrace their ethos of listening to understand and have created an innovative extended-stay offering, shaped by input from the development community,” said Guneet Bajwa, president and CEO of Presidio Hotel Development LLC. “That, coupled with the adaptability to tailor the product to my market’s demands, are among the reasons we’ve chosen to invest in developing a Hyatt Studios hotel.”
Hyatt Studios Leadership Team
Under the leadership of Dan Hansen, a team has been formed to ensure the brand delivers on its value proposition. Hyatt veteran Jason Ballard has been promoted to the position of Head of Operations, Hyatt Studios, reporting directly to Hansen.
Most recently serving as Hyatt’s vice president of franchise operations, select-service, Ballard helped establish Hyatt’s Franchise & Owner Relations Group (FORG). Since joining Hyatt in 2006, Ballard has held positions in revenue management, capital planning, and operations analytics across all three Hyatt regions—Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Africa, and Middle East. Ballard played a role in establishing the global footprint of the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands.
“Hyatt’s transformative growth demonstrates the importance we place on fostering strong relationships with owners, developers, and franchisees,” said Ballard. “Prioritizing owner satisfaction has allowed us to position Hyatt Studios hotels as a compelling option with competitive market availability. By listening to the needs of our owners and guests, we can now offer solutions for more stay occasions for 40 million World of Hyatt loyalty members.”
The Hyatt Studios brand will join Hyatt’s portfolio in the Timeless collection.
