Fairfield by Marriott

Fairfield by Marriott is a franchised economy to midscale hotel brand of Marriott International. The properties target guests willing to accept fewer amenities for lower prices. Cost-saving measures included standardized building architecture and bedding, and the absence of a full-service restaurant, but a complimentary hot breakfast.^[1]

Fairfield by Marriott

Logo used from 2019
Industry	hospitality industry
Founded	October 1987
Number of locations	1,169 (30 June 2021)
Area served	Worldwide
Website	https://fairfield.marriott.com/

As of June 30, 2021, the brand had 1,169 hotels with 114,986 rooms with an additional 387 hotels with 47,476 rooms in the pipeline.^[2] Amenities at most properties include a pool, whirlpool, health club, same-day dry cleaning, vending machines, free Wi-Fi, an ergonomic desk and chair, a complimentary hot breakfast, and in-room television.^[3] The brand was named Fairfield Inn & Suites between 1987–2019.

Overview

Logo of the former brand, Fairfield Inn & Suites (1987–2019)

Marriott International developed the concept for Fairfield Inn in the late 1980s to compete with other economy limited-service (ELS) hotel chains (below $45 a night) like Days Inn, Hampton Inn, and Red Roof Inn. The first location opened in October 1987 in Atlanta, Georgia.^[4][5] Management implemented scorecard terminals to allow guests to rate the hotels as either 'excellent', 'average', or 'poor'. Marriott was then able to track important metrics and provide superior customer service. Additionally, employee selection emphasized the appointment of friendly and positive staff, which also reduced turnover. This was achieved by providing higher wages than competitors (at the time being in the top 25% of wages within the lodging industry).^[6]

The brand formerly included properties dubbed "Fairfield Suites"; however, in 1998, those properties became the separate SpringHill Suites chain within the Marriott corporation. Many properties feature both suites and rooms, and these were called "Fairfield Inn & Suites."^[7] The chain has generally moved away from outside-opening doors in its more recent constructions, preferring traditional interior halls.

In 2004, brand head Liam Brown wanted the brand to move from the budget tier of hotels into the moderate tier by renovating newer locations and closing aging ones. The brand introduced coffee in the hotel rooms, express check-out, and newspaper delivery.^[8][9]

In 2013, the brand expanded to Asia.^[10] In 2019, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Tech Center opened, the 1000th Fairfield property worldwide.^[11] In August 2020, the brand expanded to Peru.^[12] In April 2021, Marriott tested a contactless vending machine at Fairfield Inns.^[13] In June 2021, the first brand location in Europe opened.^[14]

Concept

The brand name comes from the Fairfield Farm in Hume, Virginia, which J. Willard Marriott purchased as a family retreat. Originally owned by the King of England, the farm reminded Marriott of the western ranches of his childhood. After being refurbished in 1997, Fairfield Farm opened as Marriott's only bed and breakfast, The Inn at Fairfield Farm.^[15]

Accommodations

Typical newer Fairfield location, Canton, Michigan

Typical late 1990s - early/mid 2000s location, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Historical

		US	Non-US		Total
2006[16]	Properties				518
	Rooms				46,589
2007[17]	Properties	529	8		537
	Rooms	46,930	947		47,877
2008[18]	Properties	560	9		569
	Rooms	49,678	1,109		50,787
2009[19]	Properties	620	9		629
	Rooms	55,622	1,109		56,731
2010[20]	Properties	648	10		658
	Rooms	58,510	1,235		59,745
2011[21]	Properties	667	13		680
	Rooms	60,392	1,568		61,960
2012[22]	Properties	678	13		691
	Rooms	61,477	1,568		63,045
2013[23]	Properties	691	17		708
	Rooms	62,921	2,044		64,965
2014[24]	Properties	704	17		721
	Rooms	64,362	2,089		66,451

From 2015

		North America	Europe	Middle E. & Africa	Asia & Pacific	Caribbean Latin Am.		Total
2015[25]	Properties	761			2	5		768
	Rooms	69,970			314	788		71,072
2016[26]	Properties	828			5	7		840
	Rooms	76,432			918	1,056		78,406
2017[27]	Properties	895			14	10		919
	Rooms	82,699			2,268	1,467		86,434
2018[28]	Properties	940			26	13		979
	Rooms	88,052			4,403	1,833		94,288
2019[29]	Properties	1,001			42	14		1,057
	Rooms	94,063			7,050	2,036		103,149
2020[30]	Properties	1,061			58	13		1,132
	Rooms	99,901			9,300	1,863		111,064
2021[31]	Properties	1,112			78	14		1,204
	Rooms	105,330			11,970	1,971		119,271
2022[32]	Properties	1,141			96	16		1,253
	Rooms	108,338			14,283	2,222		124,843
2023[33]	Properties	1,153			119	18		1,290
	Rooms	109,445			17,361	2,576		129,382