Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion into the upscale extended stay segment through a strategic relationship with WaterWalk, launching the WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham brand.

This move adds 11 hotels and more than 1,500 rooms to Wyndham's ecosystem, marking the 25th brand in its portfolio.

The newly branded hotels, located in key markets such as Tucson, Jacksonville, and Wichita, complement Wyndham's existing economy and midscale extended stay offerings.

 They cater to guests seeking an elevated stay with the comforts of home.

Founded by the late Jack DeBoer in 2014, WaterWalk is now led by CEO Mimi Oliver, DeBoer’s granddaughter.

WaterWalk's unique LIVE|STAY model positions it in the upscale segment, offering fully furnished STAY units for traditional extended stays and unfurnished LIVE units for guests desiring a more personalised, long-term residence. The brand's flexibility allows it to adapt to changing markets and customer needs.

Mimi Oliver commented on the relationship with Wyndham, stating, "WaterWalk's success is the culmination of decades of experience in extended stay combined with a relentless pursuit for driving innovation and delivering exceptional guest experiences. We believe WaterWalk is our best brand yet and our decision to bring it into the Wyndham portfolio is a pivotal moment in its evolution."

WaterWalk joins ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham and Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham as part of Wyndham's extended stay offerings. With the Wyndham Advantage, WaterWalk hotels gain access to marketing, distribution, and resources from the world's largest hotel franchisor.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts chief development officer Chip Ohlsson highlighted the demand for extended stay options, saying, "Our vision is to offer the industry's most robust portfolio of extended stay brands and the addition of WaterWalk marks an important step in that direction—helping ensure we have an offering in every segment, for every owner and every guest."

In addition to this expansion, Wyndham has invested more than $275m in the past five years in technology to support efficiency and owner profitability. This includes property and revenue management systems, mobile check-in and checkout, and OTA reconciliation.

Furthermore, Wyndham has recently celebrated a milestone with 15 hotel openings and 50 signings in its Women Own the Room programme within over two years of its launch.