Every One of Wyndham’s Hotel Brands, Explained
Skift Take
Updated on October 1, 2024
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is one of the six largest hotel companies in the world, with more than 9,100 properties in over 95 countries. Its brands span a range of styles, price points, and amenities — from the iconic utilitarian charm of its biggest brand, Super 8, to the unapologetic luxury of Registry Collection, whose properties include Grand Residences Riviera Cancun.
Wyndham’s revenue mainly comes from its 24 brands. The fastest-growing brands include Wyndham, Wyndham Grand, Wingate, Trademark Collection, and ECHO Suites Extended Stay.
Besides franchising, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is known for its loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards — which has about 101 million enrolled members.
“We had the highest absolute quarterly RevPAR [revenue per available room, a key industry metric] ever recorded for our brands,” said president and CEO Geoff Ballotti in late 2022. “Our franchising business is performing at record levels, and our brands are attracting more interest than ever from owners and developers.”
Some brands that have the Wyndham name in them aren’t run by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Specifically, Travel + Leisure is a separate company whose Wyndham Destinations unit manages timeshare brands like Club Wyndham.
Here, we break down Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ brands based on the company’s categories.
Wyndham’s Hotels & Resorts’ Collections and Brands
Distinctive: Registry Collection Hotels, Wyndham Grand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts
Upscale: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Trademark Collection
Lifestyle: Esplendor, Dazzler, Vienna House, TRYP, Wyndham Alltra
Midscale: Wyndham Garden, Wingate, La Quinta, AmericInn, Baymont, Ramada, Ramada Encore
Economy: Microtel, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge
Extended Stay: Hawthorn, Waterwalk, ECHO Suites
Distinctive
Registry Collection
- Global footprint: 16 hotels in 5 countries.
Wyndham Take: “With thoughtful design, brilliant service, and unsurpassed attention to detail, our handpicked hotels and resorts are designed to deliver incredible experiences in spectacular destinations. Go ahead and indulge your wanderlust—we’re here waiting.”
Skift Take: This is where you find the oceanfront infinity pools and full-service spas. Each of The Registry Collection hotels is truly distinct, with 15 properties in Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, all with independent architectural details true to their destination. The brand debuted in June 2021, and was built around the idea of selecting independent luxury hoteliers in leading urban and resort destinations to establish a portfolio offering, while maintaining their individuality. From BVLGARI bath products to mixology classes, the flagship resort, Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, offers a secluded beachfront getaway with plenty of onsite and offsite entertainment options.
Wyndham Grand
- Global footprint: 70 hotels in more than 15 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Located in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, these hotels are infused with local culture and style, creating distinctive environments. From new construction in key markets to historic properties with iconic presence, Wyndham Grand gives owners a powerful advantage in the competitive, upper-upscale marketplace.”
Skift Take: Like many of its competitors, Wyndham offers its premium amenities and personalized hospitality experiences through Wyndham Grand. The brand elevates its upscale Wyndham hotels to offer a refined and well-designed experience that is also friendly and approachable. For affluent business and leisure travelers willing to pay a premium, Wyndham Grand provides contemporary rooms and suites decorated in a polished, yet comfortable manner. Every location is unique with its architecture and character, but visitors can always find pools, spa facilities, and artisanal restaurants at all Wyndham Grand properties.
Dolce
- Global footprint: 18 hotels in 10 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham is a uniquely-positioned upper-upscale brand with global leadership in group hospitality. Meeting and conference facilities equipped with superior technology, along with a sophisticated food and beverage program, have contributed to Dolce’s reputation for a unique approach to the art of hospitality.”
Skift Take: This brand is the creative spirit in Wyndham’s portfolio, distilling the essence of learning and discovering in its hotel offering. Each hotel location is different in its exterior and interior, with Dolce Sitges in Spain featuring outdoor lounges similar to the top of a cruise ship and The Summit in Cincinatti, Ohio, featuring eclectic art pieces and architecture that resemble a modern museum.
Events are Dolce’s expertise. From the design of IACC-certified meeting spaces to proactive staff trained for event services, the brand is known to facilitate enriching environments for unique business and social experiences. The brand pioneered an all-inclusive Complete Meeting Package (CMP) that is curated specifically for event planning and creative F&B offering. Both business and leisure guests will find elevated experiences and stays at Dolce hotels.
Upscale
Wyndham
- Global footprint: 168 hotels in 35 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Wyndham connects with consumers by delivering the features that you would expect in a world-class hotel, including beautifully appointed lounge areas, smartly detailed guest rooms, distinctive dining options, and well-designed meeting spaces.”
Skift Take: Wyndham hotels capture the brand’s versatility for guests around the world, providing an upscale experience that redefines hospitality by going the extra mile. Travelers enter through grand lobbies that reinforce the brand’s goal of giving guests a fresh perspective and can find well-designed amenities, rooms decorated with destination flairs and spacious conference rooms with a view. This brand prides itself on a service culture committed to delivering attentive guest support, and also provides option for customizable traveler experiences.
Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- Global footprint: 185 hotels in 25 countries, with 85 in the pipeline.
Skift Take: On the philosophy that travel is an independent and personal pursuit, the Trademark Collection is a soft brand that not only encourages guests to take control of their destination experiences but also independent hoteliers with their individuality as part of its independent boutique collection. As the largest lifestyle brand under Wyndham, the Trademark Collection attracts both business and leisure travelers alike with its distinct upper-midscale and above properties and flexible amenities. Properties range from independent, historic and signature types and can be found in primary and secondary markets across the world. While each location comes with its own character, the brand still remains true to Wyndham’s consistency in delivering guest-focused services and experiences.
Wyndham Take: “The Trademark Collection by Wyndham is a collection of independently-minded upper-midscale and above properties. Just as no two travelers are alike – every Trademark Hotel is distinctive, taking on the character of the place in which they’re built.”
Lifestyle
Esplendor by Wyndham
- Global footprint: 9 hotels in 4 countries.
Wyndham Take: “A new concept in boutique accommodations, Esplendor by Wyndham blends avant-garde design with unique guest experiences. Using an innovative eye, the brand transforms and restores historical, architectural jewels, combining on-trend details with distinct comforts reflective of each hotel’s unique surroundings.”
Skift Take: Esplendor hotels offer unique, aesthetic accommodations and position to target sophisticated travelers looking for something they can’t find elsewhere. These hotels are currently located in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. From beautiful exteriors to stunningly decorated lounge areas, guests are not only surrounded by art collections, but also feel like they stayed in a piece of art. This competitive differentiator sets premium rooms and amenities at Esplendor apart from other lifestyle brands.
Dazzler
- Global footprint: 14 hotels in 4 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Featuring sleek decor and exceptional service, Dazzler Hotels represent an exciting synthesis of comfort and functional aesthetics. Centrally located in some of Latin America’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Dazzler offers easy access to local hotspots and top attractions.”
Skift Take: Corporate and leisure travelers will find locations of Dazzler hotels to their advantage when visiting cities in Latin America. Currently, Dazzler hotels are located in Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. The upper-midscale lifestyle brand provides convenient access to business areas, local tourist attractions and excellent gastronomy. Modern lobbies dazzle guests right when they enter and rooftop pools often provide great views of the city. The brand is all about balancing tailored guest services with attainable comforts in guest rooms. Like other brands part of Wyndham’s portfolio, Dazzler also provides complimentary breakfast and fully equipped gyms.
Vienna House
- Global footprint: 41 hotels in 5 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Vienna House is a renowned hospitality brand across Europe catering to a wide demographic of business and leisure travellers, with a portfolio of high-quality hotels, including both Vienna House and Vienna House Easy hotels, located in many sought-after destinations across Europe.”
Skift Take: Wyndham announced its acquisition of Vienna House from the HR Group in September 2022, expanding its portfolio of upscale offerings in Europe. Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham president and CEO, in the press release stated that “Vienna House’s guest-centric culture, strong brand recognition and ambitious brand development plans align with [Wyndham’s] distribution goals, making it a perfect match to continue [Wyndham’s] international growth and reinforces [Wyndham’s] position and commitment to the region.”
Vienna House is a well-recognized symbol of hospitality in Europe. In particular, nearly three-quarters of its hotels are located in Germany. The brand strives for a balance between capturing imagination and keeping things simple through three hotel concepts. The Vienna House offers chic city hotels curated to keep up with trends for its like-minded target audience of food connoisseurs and design creatives. Vienna House Easy provides more smart-casual urban living accommodations with local hosts, bakery-style breakfasts, co-working lobby and flexible conferencing options. Vienna Townhouse facilitates Bohemian, boutique-style guest houses for a home-like environment with breakfast-and-bed options.
TRYP
- Global footprint: 53 hotels in 15 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Every TRYP embodies the local flavor, rhythm, and beat of cities around the world, offering guests a personal retreat at the heart of an amazing cosmopolitan experience.”
Skift Take: Traveling urban explorers will find TRYP hotels as the perfect fit. With a strong global footprint, the brand’s properties reflect the local lifestyle of their urban cities. From creative lounge designs to decorated guest rooms, the brand builds on a millennial-focused mindset for its interiors. Staff are in-the-know about immersive local experiences and guests will have no shortage of places to visit or things to do in cities like Manila, Cologne and San Paolo. The hotel itself hosts a comfortable place to recharge, with facilities ranging from lobby minibars and continental buffets to different room layouts, free Wi-Fi and other modern amenities.
Wyndham Alltra
- Global footprint: 3 hotels in Mexico.
Wyndham Take: “As the 22nd brand to join the Wyndham portfolio, this lifestyle brand is backed by Wyndham Rewards, the #1 hotel loyalty program according to U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. These all-inclusive resorts attract groups and gatherings of all sizes and offer modern venues with ideal amenities for every occasion.”
Skift Take: Wyndham Alltra aspires to be an all-inclusive travel accommodation for all leisure gatherings and occasions. Launched in 2022, the brand currently has three locations in Mexico, and delivers leisure with beach resorts, large outdoor pools and gourmet F&B options for a dynamic and intuitive escape. Wyndham Alltra’s Playa del Carmen location is adult-only, and its Cancun and Nuevo Vallarta locations are family-friendly.
Midscale
Wyndham Garden
- Global footprint: 149 hotels in 25 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Wyndham Garden combines excellent service, best-in-class amenities, and technology that delivers the efficient and welcoming elements that guests want. With a lens on the little details, and a focus on delivering stress-free, easy travel, guests find peace of mind when traveling for business or pleasure.”
Skift Take: A nature-inspired, relaxing experience is reflected in the brand’s designs, from open bar and lounge areas to well-decorated lobbies. Guest rooms and shared guest areas are often complemented by earthy tones and have ample natural lighting. As Wyndham’s fastest growing brand over the past five years, Wyndham Garden targets convenience-minded travelers and is often located close to business centers, airports or suburban areas. Popular with Generation X and millennial travelers, this brand takes the approach of putting guests in control with innovative amenities so they feel completely at ease during their stay.
Wingate by Wyndham
- Global footprint: 196 hotels in 4 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Wingate by Wyndham is a hotel for modern travelers, offering inviting lobbies, ergonomic workspaces, welcoming lounges, and flexible meeting spaces for guests looking to stay connected and productive.”
Skift Take: From 24-hour business centers to in-room ergonomic workspaces, Wingate tailors to the modern lifestyle of a working professional. Targeting white-collar business and bleisure travelers, the brand’s room designs and amenities reflect values of staying connected, productive and balanced. For a reasonable nightly rate, Wingate has all the extras you need on your business trip, including free wifi, meeting space, printing, exercise facilities, in-room coffeemaker, microwave, and more–all at no extra cost. The brand emphasizes a clean “look” with earthy tones to create a comfortable balance between business and leisure.
La Quinta
- Global footprint: 918 hotels in 10 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Dedicated to guest service and satisfaction, La Quinta by Wyndham offers an elevated stay in a contemporary setting. With thoughtful amenities and friendly service, this brand consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience that keeps travelers waking up on the bright side.”
Skift Take: La Quinta Inn & Suites, being one of Wyndham’s largest brands, has been redefining the upper midscale space since its inception in 1968. New construction and quality conversions give these properties a modern flair. Similar to other Wyndham midscale offerings, La Quinta hotels also include everything from free daily breakfast and on-site convenience stores to fitness centers and business meeting rooms. In 2015, La Quinta launched its Del Sol design prototype, featuring exterior LED lighting, indoor and outdoor pools, and contemporary color and architectural schemes for optimizing revenue per available room (RevPAR). After getting acquired by Wyndham in 2018, the brand expanded internationally and saw interest from Latin America, Europe and Asia.
AmericInn
- Global footprint: 215 hotels in the U.S.
Wyndham Take: “Representing American values, this brand is committed to making a difference for the people who stay with us, and the communities in which we operate. AmericInn is smart and contemporary, offering simple, straightforward amenities.”
Skift Take: This one is looking to host you and your family on an epic road trip. Positioned as “America’s Welcoming Neighbor”, AmericInn combines a small-town brand in the Midwest with the scale of Wyndham’s franchise to host families, sports teams and group travelers. Its wooden interiors and old-fashioned furniture create a warm sense of welcome, which is representative of the brand’s focus on providing friendly and genuine hospitality. The best part: many of their locations allow your furry friends to tag along.
Baymont
- Global footprint: 500+ hotels in 5 countries.
Wyndham Take: “As the hotel next door, Baymont delivers hometown hospitality every day with our comfortable room design, friendly service, Baymont Breakfast Corner, and freshly baked cookies.”
Skift Take: Everything is designed to generate a sense of familiarity at Baymont hotels. Both leisure and business travelers alike are greeted with hometown hospitality. The chain focuses on connecting with guests to create experiences that are simple, attainable and generous for a relaxing stay. Baymont went through several exchange of hands. After being sold in 2004 to La Quinta Corporation, it was then passed onto private equity firm, Blackstone Group, through the acquisition of La Quinta. After Blackstone converted some units of what was then Baymont Inn to La Quinta, the Baymont brand was then sold to the predecessor of Wyndham Hotels, Cendant Hotel Group, in 2006.
Ramada
- Global footprint: 851 hotels in 70 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Ramada is the brand for travelers around the world who enjoy a better experience and are willing to pay for it. They appreciate a good deal and dedicate the time and resources to research and plan their trip.”
Skift Take: Ramada is one of only a select few members of the Wyndham portfolio with global footprint. Each location is often decorated with its regional flair to provide guests with a more in-depth local experience no matter where they travel in the world. Having the most airport locations out of all Wyndham brands, Ramada targets more affluent travelers seeking a premium yet convenient stay.
This brand takes its “Sample the World” positioning quite literally, featuring select locations across North America that are designed to host you in your next culinary-inspired getaway. The brand launched its first-ever Chief Eats Officer posting at the end of 2022 in search for a “food-obsessed, social media–savvy adventure-seeker” to act as a brand ambassador for culinary discovery. The gig involves documenting three weeks of travel and food discovery all sponsored by Ramada and a $10,000 payday.
Ramada Encore
Wyndham Take: “From business trips where the agenda is jam packed, to leisure breaks where every minute counts, at Ramada Encore by Wyndham we think of what’s next so guests don’t have to. Our functional design and helpful staff provide travellers with time and space for each step on their journey.”
Skift Take: Launched in 1990, Ramada Encore serves practical leisure and business travelers and strives to provide guests relax, refresh and connect in their busy travel schedule. After re-branding in 2018, the brand took on a refreshing and more vibrant personality with an updated logo, and introduced The Hub–Ramada Encore’s signature open plan and flexible lobby spaces for social activities. Multi-functional island bars were also added to shared spaces, along with booth seating and co-working areas. Updated room features include glass-panelled bathroom pods with walk-in showers. Guests will find modern amenities and vibrant social areas great for building connections during their trip.
Economy
Microtel
- Global footprint: 356 hotels in 5 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Committed to modern design, affordable comfort, and exceptional service, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham continues to be a leader in its class, over-delivering on guest expectations in both quality and value.”
Skift Take: Microtel is about smart designs that create a simple but stylish experience. Properties are all-new construction with modern rooms, making it the only all-new construction economy hotel chain. The seeks to serve practical, educated business and leisure travelers with a personality and atmosphere that makes up its award-winning services. Efficiency is at the core of its value offering, as spaces are engineered toward productivity and efficiency to serve its guests’ busy schedules. Microtel strives to deliver simple, consistent experiences on top of the usual Wyndham amenities such as free breakfast, internet connection and fitness centers.
Days Inn
- Global footprint: 1,516 hotels in 25 countries.
Wyndham Take: “We focus on the little things that surprise and delight our guests to help them enjoy their stay and kick off each day with a little extra oomph. Like the sun, we are energized to provide a warm smile and great service to our guests every time they stay with us.”
Skift Take: Days Inn wants you to wake up with a burst of energy, like the rising sun in its logo, with small details that add a boost to your stay. Under its simple-looking exteriors, vibrant colors in lobbies and guest rooms exemplify an upbeat personality, which is echoed by healthy breakfast options and pools or fitness centers available at each location. This value brand is versatile and can be found anywhere ranging from small towns and roadsides to metropolitan city centers and destinations–convenient for all types of travelers or trips. Days Inn has one of the largest global footprints of all brands in Wyndham’s portfolio, which is part of what fuels its strong performance in the economy hospitality segment.
Super 8
- Global footprint: 2,691 hotels in 10 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Rest up at Super 8 by Wyndham with free breakfast, high-speed WiFi, and more. Convenient locations around the world give you the freedom to roam and a comfortable place to spend the night.”
Skift Take: An American road original, Super8 is focused on providing authentic, trusted and true experiences to elevate your next road trip. For those that like to hit the road with spontaneity for adventure, this brand can be found near major highways around the world. In fact, over half of the brands’ guests decide on their accommodation the same day they arrive at the hotel. The value offering embodies the spirit of the open road and promises a welcoming experience for all guests, no matter their ultimate destination. College students on their first road trip or independent owners on a cross-country expedition can expect to find free continental breakfast and down-to-earth facilities.
Howard Johnson
- Global footprint: 287 hotels in 15 countries.
Wyndham Take: “You can count on us when your family wants to take a trip without feeling like they’ve gone too far from home. It’s the same warm, friendly experience we’ve offered for decades–because we know that honest hospitality never goes out of style.”
Skift Take: Founded by Howard Johnson, the eponymous hotel brand began in 1954 as an extension of Johnson’s original restaurant chain. After being acquired by Wyndham in 2006, the brand has modernized guest rooms with redesigns in honor of its tradition of innovation, while still keeping its classic orange and turquoise color theme. As a classic hotel chain, Howard Johnson invests in creating emotional connections for guests to build loyalty. Properties are usually two to five-story buildings and are best suited for family-oriented travelers, as kids can typically stay for free.
Travelodge
- Global footprint: 441 hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
Wyndham Take: “Every great journey starts with a great night’s sleep. As your base camp for adventure, Travelodge by Wyndham helps you kick off each morning on the right foot–whether you’re taking a group trip to a national park or on the road with your travel sports team.”
Skift Take: Travelodge aspires to be the base camp for adventure and leisure travel oriented towards the outdoors. Properties can often be found close to nature. In fact, in the United States, 75% of Travelodge hotels are located within one hour of a national park. The brand’s California heritage leads its strong footprint across the west coast and guides a laid-back and pragmatic spirit for a comfortable feeling in its lobby and guest room designs. Travelers can find in-room coffee and leisure facilities in a typical Travelodge hotel. These one to two-story hotels prioritize making their guests feel rested and refueled to start the next day of adventure on the right foot.
Extended Stay
Hawthorn
- Global footprint: 72 properties in 5 countries.
Wyndham Take: “Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham is the hotel for guests who value the essential elements of their daily routine. When they find themselves away from home for any period of time, they want access to the facilities and services they need to maintain this regimen and feel comfortable on the road.”
Skift Take: Hawthorn Suites is a midscale extended stay that has everything and more from your apartment at home, offering kitchen suites, complimentary hot breakfast, fitness facilities and weekly social hours, etc. Comfort is the keyword here, and locations can range from suburban resorts to those near hospitals and airports. In June 2022, Wyndham announced the opening of a first-of-its-kind dual-branded hotel concept between Hawthorn Suites and La Quinta.
Compared to other hotel categories, extended stays recovered faster by RevPAR [revenue per available room] post-pandemic. Marriott made similar bets on extended stay from its full-year report on 2022 developments. According to JLL, U.S. select service and extended stay hotels saw a record-breaking investment volume of $20.4 billion in 2022, representing 51 percent of all U.S. hotel investment volume. Similar development and investment activities are likely to continue in 2023.
WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham
Global footprint: 11 properties in the U.S.
Wyndham Take: In April 2024, Wyndham expanded into the upscale extended stay segment through a strategic relationship with WaterWalk, adding 11 hotels and over 1,500 rooms to the Wyndham ecosystem. Some units are fully furnished, while others are unfurnished for long-term residential.
Skift Take: Located in key markets such as Tucson, Jacksonville, and Wichita, the offerings are slightly more elevated than Wyndham’s existing economy and midscale extended stay brands.
ECHO Suites
- Global footprint: 170 properties in the U.S. in the pipeline.
Wyndham Take: “ECHO Suites was crafted to help maximize efficiencies and reduce operating costs, all while providing a “home away from home” optimized for longer-term guests. Born from the core values of being simple, minimal, and modern, the brand focuses on providing guests with efficiently designed spaces and thoughtful essentials, providing the foundation of a great stay.”
Skift Take: The newest member of the Wyndham portfolio, ECHO Suites is an all-new construction project targeting economy extended stay travelers. This fast-growing brand, announced in November 2022, attracted the attention of many developers and currently has 170 developments in the pipeline across the U.S. The concept is to give guests “a great extended stay experience, so that, like an echo, they repeat it, over and over again,” said CEO Ballotti in the brand unveil.
—Additional reporting and editing by Sean O’Neill