JOPLIN, Mo. — Just south of Interstate 44 tucked away behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant is TownePlace Suites by Marriott. This extended stay hotel contains 74 suites on four floors and boasts a comfortable atmosphere.
"We're an extended stay property," said Jamie Crosser, director of sales. "We have all the values of a small apartment and all the hometown greatnesses of Joplin." The focus of the property is allowing guests to balance work and life with comfort, flexibility and affordability.
Attracting those guests and retaining them as return guests in today's economy is the hotel's challenge, according to Crosser. "Our challenges are more on the extended stay side. Some businesses in the area have changed their budgets and haven't budgeted for extended stays. One or two night stays are very common. However, we have great numbers compared to last year. Extended stay is still 30 percent."
Crosser's offensives to overcome the hotel's challenges include proactive prospecting and partnerships.
"We are getting out and getting the business," she said. "We don't sit around on our hands and wait for people to come to us. We go get 'em.
"I'll go visit the companies that haven't stayed with us in a long time to remind them that we're here. We're easy to forget about, since we're tucked away from everybody else."
Partnerships with Northpark Mall and Downstream Casino also are proving beneficial.
A representative sample of one of the available extended stay guest suites at TownePlace. Joshua Babb/JBJ
"We ran a very light package to start out the holiday season," said Crosser. "Our guests received a special online rate to stay with us and a coupon book to Northpark Mall worth $100."
The partnership was a success, as the hotel generated $34,000 from 436 room nights; 68 percent of which were new reservations to the Joplin area.
Crosser plans to offer a similar package for Easter. This time, a special hotel rate will be offered with a coupon that will provide a discount to see the Easter Bunny at Northpark Mall.
"We're also working with the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau," said Crosser. "And Downstream Casino has committed some rooms to us."
The partnerships may provide promotional value, but Crosser contributes the hotel's success to the people who work there. "Our staff is wonderful; we have very low turnover. That means you see the same people every time you come back to stay with us. We have great management within the company. We have the same general manager, Bob Dall, who opened the hotel five years ago. I think it's the best hotel in Joplin."
TownePlace has the hardware to backup Crosser's claims. The hotel has received over 24 Guest Satisfaction awards over the five years it has been open. Some of the more recent awards include: Central Region Platinum Awards for Guest Service and Highest QA Score; and Highest Guest Service Scores for Maintenance and Up Keep, Cleanliness, Arrival Experience and Bath Experience.
TownePlace Suites offers many business and guest services and features a meeting room with 180 square feet of total meeting space. For a complete list of hotel features, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jlnts-towneplace-suites-joplin. Contact TownePlace Suites at (417) 659-8111 for more information on special rates and packages.
