New Residence Inn Opens in East Bay Township, Expands Extended Stay Options
After years of delays, Residence Inn by Marriott opened in East Bay Township on November 16, 2025, offering kitchen equipped extended stay suites, an indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary breakfast, and plans for a rooftop bar to open later. The project adds to a wave of hotel development across the region, with a Staybridge Suites project under way next door, a change that could reshape local lodging supply and municipal tax revenue.
Residence Inn by Marriott opened in East Bay Township on November 16, 2025, marking the culmination of a project that experienced years of delays. The new hotel brings extended stay suites with kitchen facilities to Grand Traverse County, plus amenities that include an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast. The developer also plans a rooftop bar that will open at a later date.
The opening expands the county s inventory of full service and extended stay lodging at a time when multiple hotel projects are moving forward elsewhere in the region. The developer indicated a Staybridge Suites project next door is under way, signaling a clustering of hospitality investment along this corridor. For residents and local businesses that rely on tourism, conferences, and seasonal workers, the additional capacity has immediate and longer term implications.
From a market perspective, the arrival of a branded extended stay option targets guests who need longer stays such as visiting professionals, relocating families, and leisure travelers seeking kitchen equipped rooms. Increased supply can relieve pressure on room availability during peak tourism periods, but it may also create downward pressure on occupancy rates and average daily rates if demand does not keep pace with new rooms. For local hoteliers, that dynamic will be important to monitor in the coming months.
Municipal and fiscal implications matter for taxpayers and policymakers. New hotel operations typically contribute to transient lodging taxes and property tax rolls, and ongoing occupancy can support jobs in hospitality, housekeeping, food service, and maintenance. Local officials will likely watch short term construction employment and the longer term tax and sales revenue that accompany steady visitor stays.
Longer term trends suggest the hotel market is diversifying toward extended stay formats and amenity rich properties. For Grand Traverse County, the Residence Inn opening and the adjacent Staybridge Suites project signal investor confidence in sustained travel demand. Residents can expect more lodging options and evolving competition in the hospitality sector, while local leaders should track occupancy, rates, and fiscal returns to gauge whether the new supply strengthens the county s tourism economy.
