This hotel chain is giving people a surprising new way to customize their rooms by offering it without furniture

Brittany ChangSep 3, 2023, 20:25 IST

Guests staying in WaterWalk's unfurnished hotel rooms stay for an average of about 400 nights, Mimi Oliver, CEO of the hotel brand, told Insider.WaterWalk

Hotel chain WaterWalk is doing extended-stay hotels differently: Many of its rooms are unfurnished.
Travelers who book these unfurnished accommodations stay for an average of about 400 nights, the brand's CEO said.

If you enjoy minimalist designs, you'll love WaterWalk: The expanding hotel chain is giving travelers the ultimate form of minimalism by offering completely unfurnished hotel rooms.

No, you're not supposed to sleep on the floor (although I guess you could). Instead, travelers who book these rooms are expected to BYOF — bring your own furniture. But if you're a traditionalist, don't snub WaterWalk just yet: The brand's properties have furnished rooms too.

Hospitality veteran Jack DeBoer founded the hotel chain in 2014. If you don't recognize WaterWalk, you may recognize his previous project. DeBoer, who died in 2021, was also the brainpower behind Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Value Place.

These days, his granddaughter Mimi Oliver helms the company.

WaterWalk

Staying in hotels can be half the fun of traveling. Who doesn't like the giddy feeling of exploring an unfamiliar hotel room with new furniture?

WaterWalk

Its accommodations range from studios to three-bedroom suites.

WaterWalk

While the hotel chain does offer traditional rooms, its unfurnished rooms are what sets it apart from other extended-stay competitors.

WaterWalk

Similar to a traditional apartment, guests looking to stay in the furniture-less suites have to fulfill the typical pre-rental requirements.

WaterWalk

But unlike apartments, the company doesn't offer "leases" — it's still a hotel after all.

WaterWalk

With its furnished rooms, Oliver says the brand is trying to compete with the likes of Homewood Suites.

WaterWalk

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, extended-stay hotels frequently singled out these customers.

WaterWalk

Even now, guests booking WaterWalk's furnished rooms stay for an average of more than 100 nights, she told Insider.

WaterWalk

But on the unfurnished side, this looks a bit different.

WaterWalk

And payments are on a monthly basis. At the Tuscan, Arizona location, an unfurnished one-bedroom starts closer to $1,500 a month.

WaterWalk

WaterWalk's newer properties also include traditional communal hotel spaces like a lounge in the lobby and an outdoor space with fire pits and grills.

WaterWalk

Its locations are "generally" half furnished and half unfurnished, she said.

WaterWalk

WaterWalk's Overland Park, Kansas location is seeing more demand for its blank rooms.

WaterWalk

Sure, empty hotel rooms are unconventional. But so far, the concept is working well for the brand.

WaterWalk

WaterWalk's occupancy rate is "anywhere in the 80s" percent range on a typical basis, Oliver said.

WaterWalk

This success has been pushing the hotel brand to expand fast.

WaterWalk

WaterWalk both builds its hotels from the ground up and converts existing properties.

WaterWalk

The hotel chain has 12 locations around the US from Boise, Idaho to Jacksonville, Florida.

WaterWalk

Construction on a Charleston, South Carolina location will begin early next year.

WaterWalk

I rented a $300 cabana at a luxury Universal resort. It was totally worth it, especially since we stayed at a much cheaper property next door.

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This hotel chain is giving people a surprising new way to customize their rooms by offering it without furniture

These days, his granddaughter Mimi Oliver helms the company.

Staying in hotels can be half the fun of traveling. Who doesn't like the giddy feeling of exploring an unfamiliar hotel room with new furniture?

Its accommodations range from studios to three-bedroom suites.

While the hotel chain does offer traditional rooms, its unfurnished rooms are what sets it apart from other extended-stay competitors.

Similar to a traditional apartment, guests looking to stay in the furniture-less suites have to fulfill the typical pre-rental requirements.

But unlike apartments, the company doesn't offer "leases" — it's still a hotel after all.

With its furnished rooms, Oliver says the brand is trying to compete with the likes of Homewood Suites.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, extended-stay hotels frequently singled out these customers.

Even now, guests booking WaterWalk's furnished rooms stay for an average of more than 100 nights, she told Insider.

But on the unfurnished side, this looks a bit different.

And payments are on a monthly basis. At the Tuscan, Arizona location, an unfurnished one-bedroom starts closer to $1,500 a month.

WaterWalk's newer properties also include traditional communal hotel spaces like a lounge in the lobby and an outdoor space with fire pits and grills.

Its locations are "generally" half furnished and half unfurnished, she said.

WaterWalk's Overland Park, Kansas location is seeing more demand for its blank rooms.

Sure, empty hotel rooms are unconventional. But so far, the concept is working well for the brand.

WaterWalk's occupancy rate is "anywhere in the 80s" percent range on a typical basis, Oliver said.

This success has been pushing the hotel brand to expand fast.

WaterWalk both builds its hotels from the ground up and converts existing properties.

The hotel chain has 12 locations around the US from Boise, Idaho to Jacksonville, Florida.

Construction on a Charleston, South Carolina location will begin early next year.