Is Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential required to assist in the hiring of my employees?

According to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential does not assist in the hiring of your employees. However, Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential will provide initial brand training to one of your Hotel Representative(s). This training can be virtual, at your hotel, or at another location that they designate. The initial brand training program covers areas such as brand programs, marketing, sales, loyalty, and brand culture. The training program is offered on an as-needed basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of trainers and attendees.

Prior to opening your hotel, or within 90 days of activating your hotel in their system, one of your Hotel Representative(s) must complete the initial brand training program to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's satisfaction. If your trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed by you at any time during the term of your Franchise Agreement, a new Hotel Representative will be required to attend and complete their training program. If Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential determines that your Hotel Representative cannot complete initial training to their satisfaction, they may terminate the Franchise Agreement.

If space permits, Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential may allow you to send additional attendees to the initial brand training. Any individual attending their training program who has not signed the Franchise Agreement or Guaranty may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. You will pay Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential a fee of $1,500 for the initial brand training. If the initial brand training is conducted in-person rather than virtually, you must also reimburse them for their personnel's travel, meals, and lodging expenses, which they estimate to be up to $2,500.

You (or your Principal) may request additional training at the end of the initial training program, to be provided at Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's then current fees as outlined, if your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel. They and you will jointly determine the duration of this additional training. However, if your Hotel Representative completes their initial training program to their satisfaction and you have not expressly informed them in writing at the end of that program that your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel, then your Hotel Representative will be deemed to have been trained sufficiently to operate a Brand Hotel.