Can Sonesta Simply Suites withdraw prior approval for a franchisee's online presence?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e System Website with the website of any other brands we or our affiliates maintain, at any time.
You may not register, own, maintain or use any domain name, homepage, electronic address, website, email address, social media account, username, screen name, other online presence or presence on any electronic, virtual, or digital medium of any kind (collectively, the "Online Presence"), relating to Network Hotels or your Hotel or that includes the Network Marks,
except as approved in advance by us. As a general rule, we do not permit franchisees of Brand Hotels to maintain vanity or other independent Online Presences. You may not list the details or contact information of your Hotel on any vanity or other independent websites or other Online Presence, including any OTAs, without our prior approval. You must establish any Online Presence that we may require, and only establish any other Online Presence that we authorize. All use of Online Presences must be in accordance with the Brand Standards and our other guidelines, including the implementation and maintenance of and compliance with privacy policies, as applicable.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 48–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, Sonesta Simply Suites has the right to withdraw prior approval for a franchisee's online presence. The FDD states that franchisees may not use any online presence relating to Network Hotels or their Hotel or that includes the Network Marks, except as approved in advance by Sonesta Simply Suites.
Sonesta Simply Suites does not generally permit franchisees to maintain vanity or other independent online presences. Franchisees may not list the details or contact information of their Hotel on any vanity or other independent websites or other online presence, including any OTAs, without Sonesta Simply Suites' prior approval. Franchisees must establish any online presence that Sonesta Simply Suites may require, and only establish any other online presence that they authorize.
All use of online presences must be in accordance with the Brand Standards and Sonesta Simply Suites' other guidelines, including the implementation and maintenance of and compliance with privacy policies, as applicable. Given the changing nature of this technology, Sonesta Simply Suites has the right to withhold its approval and to withdraw any prior approval to modify its requirements. This means that even if a franchisee receives initial approval for an online presence, Sonesta Simply Suites can later revoke that approval.