Would you stay in a hotel with a stranger? Marriott is set to introduce communal rooms for up to 16 people that share a living and dining area
- The new communal areas will be introduced at Marriott's Element hotels
- Guests will have their own bedrooms and bathrooms, but share everything else
- Four rooms will lead into a kitchen, dining and lounge area
- The chain believe it to be a good way for families and colleagues to stay together while still enjoying some privacy
If you believe that 'strangers are simply friends you haven't met yet', you could be making a lot more if you stay at some Marriott hotels in the near future.
The largest hotel chain in the world is planning to make communal rooms in some of its hotels that will be shared by between six and 16 guests.
The idea, which is still in the design stage, would be rolled out in 23 Element hotels which is the chain's eco-conscious, extended stay brand.
Guests will have their own rooms to sleep in, but they will share a kitchen, dining room and lounge area.
Marriott is planning to make communal rooms in some of their hotels that will be shared by between six and 16 guests
However, it won't be just families and business colleagues who will be able to reserve; random strangers will also be able to book the individual rooms
'We took a look at why people travel and what people need,' Toni Stoeckl from Marriott told USA Today.
'Our lobbies have become more communal and social hubs, but we saw a need for something in between. There are a lot of opportunities for people to have their shared common space and be together but still have their private space.'
'Really it's about a much more shared economy these days. It's much more about socializing and a sense of community when you travel,' Stoeckl told KTLA.
The communal spaces consists of a block of about 3-4 rooms surrounding a common living room and kitchen area (above, artists impression)
The Element brand is popular with young business travelers. The brand provides rooms at a lower price point with many of the amenities found in higher-end hotels.
'The day-to-day traveler today, they are self-sufficient, they carry their own bags, they're looking for ease of travel, they're looking for a quality sleep experience, they're looking for some food and beverage, but they're not necessarily looking for the full service experience,' said Eric Jacobs to USA Today.
'They're there for a night. Do they really need a huge spa and banquet spaces?'
Some of the rooms are already being trialed out in Marriott's own 'innovation lab' based at its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, although none actually exist in any of the hotels just yet.
Bedrooms and bathrooms are private but they open up into the shared living space
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