What is required before a Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential Hotel can open for business?
Sonesta_Select_Sonesta_Essential Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ted to our Central Reservation System, or, if no connectivity is available for a particular distribution channel, through your authorized Property Management System unless directed or approved by us in advance in writing.
E. Business Opening. You agree not to open your Hotel until:
- (1) we notify you in writing that your Hotel meets our Brand Standards and specifications;
- (2) you have obtained all applicable licenses and permits;
- (3) you have complied with our training and brand introduction requirements (unless we have agreed in writing to allow you to complete them after the Opening Date);
- (4) you hire a staff to operate your Hotel, and train such staff to protect the Marks in compliance with the Brand Standards;
- (5) you have complied with all your development obligations specified in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2, as applicable, and we notify you in writing that your Renovation Work or Construction Work, as applicable has been completed to our satisfaction;
- (6) you obtain and install the Computer System to our standards and specifications;
- (7) the Initial Fee has been paid in full and you pay other amounts then due to us and our affiliates; and
- (8) you provide us with all requested documentation, including but not limited to certificates for all required insurance policies.
You agree to open your Hotel for business by the date set forth on Exhibit A (the "Opening Date") unless we otherwise agree in writing. If you are acquiring an existing Brand Hotel, the Opening Date will be the date you close on the acquisition of the existing Brand Hotel. If you fail to open your Hotel under the Marks by the Opening Date, you will pay to us, as damages for failure to open on time and not as a penalty, our then-current Opening Date rescheduling fee (currently up to $5,000).
3. FEES.
A.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 84)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are several requirements that must be met before a hotel can open for business. Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential must provide written notification that the hotel meets their Brand Standards and specifications. The franchisee must also obtain all applicable licenses and permits required to operate the hotel.
Additionally, the franchisee must comply with Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's training and brand introduction requirements, unless the company agrees to allow completion after the opening date. A staff must be hired and trained to operate the hotel and protect the Marks in compliance with the Brand Standards. The franchisee needs to comply with all development obligations specified in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 and receive written notification that the Renovation Work or Construction Work has been completed to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's satisfaction.
Furthermore, the franchisee must obtain and install the Computer System to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's standards and specifications. The initial franchise fee must be paid in full, along with any other amounts due to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential and its affiliates. Finally, the franchisee must provide all requested documentation, including certificates for all required insurance policies. Opening the hotel before receiving written authorization from Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential constitutes unauthorized use of the Marks and a material breach of the Franchise Agreement, potentially leading to damages as outlined in Section 14.G(3) of the Franchise Agreement.