Who invoices and collects the one-time reservation implementation fee for a Sonesta Simply Suites Hotel?

According to Sonesta Simply Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the one-time reservation implementation fee, which ranges from $650 to $1,745, is invoiced and collected by Sonesta Simply Suites, even though it is charged by their third-party Central Reservation System provider. This fee is payable when the franchisee's hotel becomes active in the Central Reservation System.

For a prospective Sonesta Simply Suites franchisee, this means that upon the activation of their hotel within the Central Reservation System, they will receive an invoice directly from Sonesta Simply Suites for this one-time fee. It is important for franchisees to budget for this expense, as it is a mandatory part of the technology setup required to operate the hotel under the Sonesta Simply Suites brand. The funds are then remitted to the third-party provider.

This arrangement, where the franchisor handles the invoicing and collection of fees on behalf of a third-party provider, is not uncommon in franchising. It streamlines the payment process for the franchisee and ensures that the necessary systems are properly implemented and maintained. Franchisees should ensure they understand the full scope of technology requirements and associated costs, including this one-time fee, during their due diligence process.