US, Oct. 5 -- Choice Hotels has opened its 600th extended-stay hotel, but the bigger story is a rapidly expanding hospitality sector attracting Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Wyndham, and independent operators. Who actually lives in hotels for weeks or months, what does it cost, and why are hotel companies racing into this market?

Choice Hotels International has opened its 600th extended stay hotel, the Everhome Suites Denver Airport, as some of the world's largest hotel groups accelerate expansion into accommodation designed for travelers staying weeks or months instead of nights. Choice operates four extended stay brands-Everhome Suites, WoodSpring Suites, MainStay Suites and Suburban Studios-and reported nearly 30,000 additional exten...