Hyatt House vs Residence Inn: Choosing the Right Extended Stay Hotel

When planning an extended stay or family vacation, choosing the right hotel can make a big difference in your overall experience. Two popular extended stay hotel chains that cater to travelers looking for apartment-style accommodations are Hyatt House and Residence Inn by Marriott. Both offer spacious suites with separate living areas and kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and amenities designed for longer stays. But how do they compare, and which one might be the better choice for your needs? Let’s take an in-depth look at Hyatt House vs Residence Inn to help you decide.

Overview of Hyatt House

Hyatt House is Hyatt’s extended stay brand, offering apartment-style suites for travelers staying five or more nights. The chain has over 100 locations across the United States and internationally. Key features of Hyatt House properties include:

• Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens
• Separate living and sleeping areas
• Complimentary hot breakfast with made-to-order omelets
• H Bar serving evening food and cocktails
• 24/7 Guest Market
• Fitness center and pool at most locations
• Pet-friendly policy
• Free WiFi
• Business center

Hyatt House aims to provide a residential feel with the amenities of a hotel. The modern, apartment-style suites are designed to make guests feel at home, whether staying for a few nights or a few months.

Overview of Residence Inn

Residence Inn by Marriott is one of the largest extended stay hotel chains, with over 800 properties in the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. Residence Inn offers:

• Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens
• Separate living and sleeping areas
• Free hot breakfast buffet
• Evening socials with complimentary food and drinks (select nights)
• Fitness center and sport court
• Pool at most locations
• Free grocery delivery service
• Pet-friendly policy
• Free WiFi
• Business center

Residence Inn focuses on providing a home-like environment for extended stay guests, with spacious suites and amenities to make longer stays comfortable. The brand emphasizes social connection, with evening events designed to help guests mingle.

Room Types and Layout

Both Hyatt House and Residence Inn offer similar room types, with studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites available. However, there are some differences in the typical layout and feel of the rooms.

Hyatt House rooms tend to have a more modern, sleek aesthetic. The kitchens often feature stainless steel appliances and contemporary finishes. Living areas typically include a sectional sofa that can double as a pullout bed. Bedrooms are separated from the living area by a sliding barn door in many properties.

Residence Inn rooms generally have a more traditional apartment feel. Kitchens may have a homier look with wood cabinets. Living rooms often feature a regular sofa bed. In one-bedroom suites, there’s usually a solid door separating the bedroom from the living area.

Both chains offer full kitchens with full-size refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, and dishwashers. They also provide cookware, dishes, and utensils.

One potential differentiator is that some Hyatt House properties offer rooms with bunk beds, which can be great for families with kids. However, as one traveler noted, the bunk bed rooms may be smaller overall than a standard two-queen room.

When it comes to room size, there can be variation between individual properties. However, Residence Inn rooms are often slightly larger on average. For example, a standard one-bedroom suite at Residence Inn may be around 500-600 square feet, while a comparable Hyatt House suite might be 400-500 square feet.

Complimentary Breakfast

Both chains offer free breakfast for guests, but there are some differences in the offerings.

Hyatt House features a complimentary Morning Spread breakfast with rotating hot items like eggs, bacon, and sausage. The highlight is the Omelet Bar, where you can get fresh omelets made to order. There’s also oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, and pastries available.

Residence Inn provides a hot breakfast buffet with items like scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and breakfast potatoes. Many locations have a waffle station. There’s also a selection of cereals, pastries, fruit, and yogurt.

While both offer a solid breakfast selection, Hyatt House’s made-to-order omelets are often cited as a standout feature by guests. However, Residence Inn’s larger number of properties means you may find more consistency in the breakfast offerings across different locations.

Evening Social Hours

Both chains offer some form of evening social gathering for guests, but the specifics vary.

Hyatt House has the H Bar, which serves a full dinner menu along with beer, wine, and cocktails. While food and drinks are not complimentary, it provides a convenient onsite option for dinner and socializing.

Residence Inn offers The Residence Inn Mix on select weeknights, usually Monday to Wednesday. These social events feature complimentary light dinner fare and drinks. The specific offerings rotate, but may include things like burgers, tacos, or pasta bars.

For travelers looking to mingle with other guests, Residence Inn’s free evening socials can be a nice perk. However, Hyatt House’s full-service bar may appeal more to those who prefer a traditional restaurant/bar setting.

Amenities and Services

When it comes to other amenities and services, both chains offer similar features aimed at making extended stays comfortable:

Fitness Centers: Both Hyatt House and Residence Inn properties typically have onsite fitness centers with cardio equipment and free weights.

Pools: Most locations of both chains feature swimming pools, though this can vary by property.

Business Centers: Both offer business centers with computers and printers available for guest use.

Guest Laundry: Self-service laundry facilities are available at both Hyatt House and Residence Inn properties.

Pet-Friendly: Both chains welcome pets at most locations, though specific policies and fees may vary.

Grocery Service: Residence Inn offers complimentary grocery shopping service, where staff will pick up groceries for you (you pay for the groceries). Hyatt House doesn’t typically offer this service, but does have a 24/7 market for purchasing snacks and essentials.

Shuttle Service: Some properties of both chains offer complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions or airports, but this varies widely by location.

While the core amenities are similar, Residence Inn’s grocery shopping service could be a nice perk for extended stay guests. On the other hand, Hyatt House’s 24/7 market might be more convenient for grabbing quick items anytime.

Loyalty Programs

For frequent travelers, loyalty programs can be an important factor in choosing a hotel chain.

Hyatt House is part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Members can earn and redeem points for free nights, room upgrades, and other perks across Hyatt’s portfolio of brands. World of Hyatt is known for having valuable points and good elite status benefits, though Hyatt’s smaller footprint means fewer opportunities to earn and redeem points compared to some larger chains.

Residence Inn is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, one of the largest hotel loyalty programs. Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned and redeemed across Marriott’s extensive portfolio of brands. The program offers a wide range of redemption options and elite status levels, though some travelers find the points less valuable per point than Hyatt’s.

For travelers who stay frequently at a variety of hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s larger network of properties might be advantageous. However, for those who can concentrate their stays, World of Hyatt’s strong benefits could be more rewarding.

Pricing and Value

Pricing can vary significantly depending on location, time of year, and specific property. In general, Hyatt House and Residence Inn tend to be in a similar price range, often slightly higher than more basic extended stay chains but lower than luxury extended stay options.

One factor to consider is that Residence Inn has a much larger number of properties, which can sometimes lead to more competitive pricing in areas with multiple Residence Inn locations. Hyatt House’s smaller footprint means less competition between properties of the same brand.

Both chains frequently offer promotions and package deals, especially for longer stays. It’s worth checking both brand websites and third-party booking sites to compare prices for your specific dates and location.

When considering value, remember to factor in the included amenities like free breakfast and evening socials (at Residence Inn), which can help offset the room rate.

Location and Availability

One of the biggest differences between Hyatt House and Residence Inn is the number and location of properties.

As of 2024, there are over 125 Hyatt House locations worldwide, with the majority in the United States. Hyatt House properties are often found in urban and suburban areas, as well as near airports.

Residence Inn has a much larger footprint, with over 870 properties worldwide. This means you’re much more likely to find a Residence Inn in your destination, especially in smaller cities or towns. Residence Inn locations can be found in urban, suburban, and even some resort destinations.

For travelers who prioritize consistency and want to stick with one brand across multiple destinations, Residence Inn’s larger network could be a significant advantage. However, Hyatt House’s smaller, more curated collection of properties might appeal to those who prefer a boutique feel.

Guest Reviews and Satisfaction

Both Hyatt House and Residence Inn generally receive positive reviews from guests, but there are some trends in feedback:

Hyatt House often receives praise for:
• Modern, sleek room designs
• Comfortable beds
• Made-to-order omelets at breakfast
• Friendly staff

Common critiques of Hyatt House include:
• Smaller room sizes at some properties
• Inconsistent enforcement of quiet hours
• Limited on-site dining options beyond breakfast

Residence Inn is frequently complimented on:
• Spacious rooms
• Full kitchens with good amenities
• Comfortable beds
• Evening socials with free food

Criticisms of Residence Inn sometimes include:
• Dated decor at some older properties
• Inconsistent breakfast quality across locations
• Noise issues in some suite layouts

Overall, both chains tend to score well on major review sites, with average ratings typically in the 4 out of 5 stars range. However, as with any hotel stay, individual experiences can vary greatly depending on the specific property and circumstances of the stay.

Choosing Between Hyatt House and Residence Inn

So, which chain should you choose for your extended stay? Here are some factors to consider:

Choose Hyatt House if:
• You prefer a more modern, sleek aesthetic
• You value made-to-order omelets at breakfast
• You’re a World of Hyatt member and want to earn or use points
• You’re traveling with kids and want a room with bunk beds (where available)
• You like having a full-service bar on-site

Choose Residence Inn if:
• You want a larger room
• You value complimentary evening socials
• You’re a Marriott Bonvoy member
• You want more location options, especially in smaller cities
• You would use the free grocery shopping service

Ultimately, both Hyatt House and Residence Inn offer comfortable extended stay options with many similar amenities. The best choice will depend on your specific needs, the locations available in your destination, and any loyalty program preferences you may have.

Tips for Booking Extended Stays

Regardless of which chain you choose, here are some tips for getting the most out of your extended stay booking:

1. Book directly with the hotel for the best rates and to ensure you earn loyalty points.

2. Look for extended stay rates or packages, which often offer discounts for longer stays.

3. If you’re a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, check for member rates or special offers.

4. Consider upgrading to a larger room type for longer stays – the extra space can make a big difference in comfort.

5. If you have specific needs (like a quiet room or one near the elevator), make your request at the time of booking and follow up directly with the hotel before your stay.

6. Take advantage of the kitchen by shopping for some groceries – it can save money on dining out and make your stay feel more home-like.

7. Participate in the evening socials or manager’s receptions when available – it’s a great way to meet other guests and enjoy some complimentary food and drinks.

Conclusion

Both Hyatt House and Residence Inn offer solid options for travelers seeking extended stay accommodations. Hyatt House stands out for its modern design, made-to-order breakfasts, and association with the highly-regarded World of Hyatt program. Residence Inn shines with its extensive network of properties, spacious rooms, and complimentary evening socials.

By considering your specific needs, loyalty program preferences, and the available properties in your destination, you can choose the extended stay hotel that will make you feel most at home during your trip. Whether you opt for Hyatt House or Residence Inn, you’ll likely enjoy a comfortable stay with the conveniences of home and the amenities of a hotel.