Red Roof Inn’s new extended-stay brand will debut in Fort Lauderdale

The Ohio-based Red Roof Inn hotel chain will introduce its new extended-stay brand in Fort Lauderdale.

A 129-unit hotel is scheduled to open Tuesday at 3031 West Commercial Boulevard under the new brand, HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof.

The first HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof will open at a hotel formerly known as Crossland Fort Lauderdale.

The Red Roof Inn chain plans to open 30 HomeTowne Studio locations at existing hotels in 15 states and to spend $50 million to convert the hotels to its new extended-stay brand.

Units at the Fort Lauderdale hotel will have a kitchenette, full-sized refrigerator, microwave oven and a kitchen table and chairs. Guests are allowed to have one pet per room at no cost.

HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof also will provide free WiFi, high-definition television sets with flat screens, on-site laundry service and complimentary U.S. phone service.

Marina MacDonald, chief marketing officer of Red Roof Inn, told the Sun-Sentinel that extended-stay hotels now account for about 25 percent of new hotel construction. [Sun-Sentinel] – Mike Seemuth