Is the $2,500 fee for the Digital Floor Plan for an Embassy Suites hotel refundable?
Embassy_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ter systems while you are operating an eforea spa. There are no contractual limitations on the cost of this obligation.
Digital Floor Plan
You must pay $2,500 for the preparation of a Digital Floor Plan for your Hotel. HSS will have the Digital Floor Plan prepared by a local vendor. The floor plan will be used by us and our affiliates, including Hilton Honors Worldwide, to allow Hilton Hono
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 53–67)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Embassy Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must pay a $2,500 fee for the preparation of a Digital Floor Plan for their hotel. This plan is prepared by HSS through a local vendor and is used by Embassy Suites and its affiliates, including Hilton Honors Worldwide. The purpose of the digital floor plan is to allow Hilton Honors guests to select their room from a map of the hotel and to enable digital check-in.
The FDD clearly states that this $2,500 fee is paid to HSS before the hotel opens. This upfront payment is required to facilitate the creation of the digital floor plan, which is a key component of the guest experience and operational efficiency at an Embassy Suites hotel.
Importantly, the 2025 Embassy Suites FDD specifies that the $2,500 fee for the Digital Floor Plan is not refundable. This means that once the fee is paid to HSS, it will not be returned to the franchisee under any circumstances. Prospective franchisees should factor this non-refundable fee into their initial investment calculations and be aware that it is a mandatory cost associated with opening an Embassy Suites hotel.