MainStay Suites Chesapeake in Chesapeake, Virginia, is now open. The three-story, 77-room property, owned by Ray Patel, is the first new-construction hotel to feature Choice Hotels' proprietary “Lobby in a Box” and “Kitchen in a Box” packages for extended-stay customers.
It features a multi-functional lobby with a marketplace for meals, travel items and flexible seating, while enabling easy installation of in-room kitchens, Choice said in a statement.
“Choice Hotels’ packages have helped us add efficiency and value to this newly built property and elevate the extended-stay experience for our guests,” said Patel. “From the on-the-go marketplace to the multi-use lobby to in-room kitchens, these innovations create a functional experience tailored to travelers in the Chesapeake market.”
The project was designed by Parth Hospitality, led by Parth Thakkar, with construction by Thor, Jr. and architecture by Tymoff + Moff Architects.
“As we continue our momentum in the extended-stay category, MainStay Suites Chesapeake marks a milestone as the first new-construction hotel to feature Lobby in a Box,” said Matt McElhare, Choice Hotels’ vice president of extended-stay brands. “These innovations provide a turnkey approach that allows franchisees to meet the rising demand for extended-stay accommodations efficiently, while enhancing the guest experience with spaces that feel like home.”
The property installed more than 330 solar panels, partly funded by a Small Business Administration loan for energy-efficient projects with support from Hebron Savings Bank, the statement said.
Ron Burgett, Choice Hotels’ senior vice president of extended-stay development, said the company is committed to helping franchisees maximize their investment with efficient, high-quality solutions that address market needs.
“By integrating Kitchen in a Box and Lobby in a Box into new construction projects, we empower owners to meet rising demand in the extended-stay segment with efficiency, flexibility, and guest-focused design,” he said. “This turnkey approach supports growth while advancing innovation in hotel development and conversions.”
In October, Choice unveiled "Lobby in a Box," a modular design package that streamlines extended-stay hotel conversions and enhances the guest experience.
Opened in 2024, the Signia by Hilton Atlanta near Mercedes Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena, will begin hosting the Hunter Hotel Conference next year.
Speaking on a panel at the Hunter Hotel Conference are, from left, Vision Hospitality President and CEO Mitch Patel; Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group; and Robert Webster, vice chairman at CBRE.
