Must a Sonesta Simply Suites franchisee participate in all booking programs designated through the booking engine?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must use the booking engine we designate, participate in all booking programs we designate through the booking engine, and may not use any other booking engine for your Hotel. We have entered into agreements with intermediaries for various distribution channels, pursuant
to which such distribution channels and online travel agencies ("OTAs") (which may include Agoda | Priceline, Booking.com, Hotwire, Expedia, and other third party intermediaries providing travel products for sale electronically to travel agents, corporations, meeting planners, and consumers) will offer your hotel room inventory through their websites including, in some cases, rooms at loyalty program member rates (the "Third-Party Distribution Program"). You must participate in the Third-Party Distribution Program, using only those channels that we designate for Brand Hotels.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 42–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must use the booking engine designated by Sonesta Simply Suites and participate in all booking programs designated through that booking engine. Franchisees are explicitly prohibited from using any other booking engine for their hotel.
Sonesta Simply Suites has agreements with intermediaries for various distribution channels, including online travel agencies (OTAs) like Agoda | Priceline, Booking.com, Hotwire, and Expedia. These OTAs offer hotel room inventory through their websites, sometimes at loyalty program member rates, as part of the "Third-Party Distribution Program." Franchisees are required to participate in this Third-Party Distribution Program, but only through the channels that Sonesta Simply Suites designates for Brand Hotels.
This requirement ensures brand consistency and potentially leverages negotiated rates and programs through approved channels. However, it also means franchisees have limited control over booking channels and must adhere to Sonesta Simply Suites's chosen distribution strategy. Prospective franchisees should consider the implications of this requirement on their revenue management and marketing strategies.