LOOKING AHEAD

article by Pamela Spradlin Mahajan

photos by Molly Kuplen

When Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot opened its first Shawnee location in September 2019, it looked as if the inn was on track for a successful first year. But just a few months later, COVID-19 struck, and business as we knew it came to a grinding halt.

“Whatever we dreamed of, we never thought that could happen in the hotel industry. It was stressful,” says Sonny Singh, regional manager and director of operations for Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. “Eight out of 10 rooms were empty. It was a crazy time, but we survived with the help of PPP loans, and we tightened our belt for a couple of months … we made it work.”

Singh’s company is far from the only business that needed help surviving during the pandemic. According to the Small Business Administration, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans amounted to $790 billion in 2020–2021.

In addition to relying on loans, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott was forced to reduce its staff from 20–25 employees to 10–15 employees. They also temporarily closed the neighboring Comfort Inn and Suites, owned by the same management company, and directed customers to Fairfield Inn & Suites during the peak of the pandemic, when the staff was often only booking one or two rooms a day.

As COVID rates decline and travel begins to increase, Singh is hopeful business will steadily improve. Still, getting back to how things were before the pandemic is going to take some time. “Business is picking up some, it’s not fully there,” Singh says. “Our research suggests the return to pre-COVID levels could take until 2024 or later.”

Fairfield Inn & Suites is now up to 50–55% occupancy versus the 38% occupancy the company experienced earlier in the pandemic. Their projected pre-pandemic occupancy levels were 70–75%. Singh points out that while leisure travel seems to be increasing, corporate travel — a major source of income for all hotels — is still lagging. The Shawnee hotel relies on corporate travelers, who previously accounted for at least 60% of business, to fill the hotel during the week when leisure travelers typically aren’t around.

Maa Amba Inc., the management company that owns Fairfield Inn & Suites, had been searching for land to purchase in Shawnee since 2016. The company purchased its current property in 2018 from a church that planned to relocate. Maa Amba’s initial plans for the property included a shopping strip as well as several hotels. Though the company still plans to develop a shopping center, those plans are currently on hold until business picks up.

For families and business travelers looking for accommodations in the Shawnee area, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott has a lot to offer. In addition to a lobby for relaxing and mingling, a free breakfast with items such as mini waffles, fruit, and omelets is included in the room rate. With a contemporary look and feel, the hotel offers conveniences such as free Wi-Fi and a microwave and refrigerator in every room. An indoor swimming pool and a fitness center are also available. Seniors 62 years and older can receive a discounted rate.

“Fairfield Inn & Suites in Kansas City/Shawnee is a truly stunning example of a contemporary look and feel,” Singh says. “We are delivering both function and comfort with our new design and decor that elevate the Marriott brand.”

Competing with hotels such as Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites is located 13 miles from downtown and 30 miles from the Kansas City International Airport. It has 78 newly opened rooms, including 16 suites.

Maa Amba chose the Shawnee location because it’s “in the middle of everything,” says Singh. The hotel is near the corner of Midland Drive and Renner Road, a short distance from I-435. Multiple restaurants as well as the B&B Theaters Shawnee 18 are in the immediate vicinity.

Many conventions and other events, which have been almost nonexistent for the past two years, are returning in 2022. From races at the Kansas Speedway to Sporting KC games to concerts by musicians such as Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, opportunities for travel are increasing. Since more people visiting Kansas City means greater demand for hotel rooms, Singh and his staff are cautiously optimistic about the future.

“It’s slowly opening up, so we are hopeful that this year will be a little better than last year,” Singh says.

A beautifully designed lobby includes spots for relaxing and mingling, as well as space to enjoy the free breakfast each morning.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Shawnee

Opening Year: 2019

Pre-Pandemic Occupancy Rate: 70–75%

Pandemic Occupancy Rate: 38%

Total Number of Rooms: 78

Number of Suites: 16

Rooms Empty During the Pandemic: 8 out of 10

Miles to Downtown Kansas City: 13

Miles to KCI Airport: 30

Search the website for Shawnee: Fairfield.Marriott.com