New Watertown Hotel Ahead of Schedule, Could Open This Summer

A rendering of the new Residence Inn by Marriott hotel being built on Arsenal Street in Watertown.

The new hotel in the East End of Watertown has gone up faster than anticipated, and an official from the group that will manage the Residence Inn by Marriott said the hotel will open ahead of schedule.

The extended-stay hotel will have 150 rooms, and will focus on the business traveler who will be in the area for more than five days, on average, said Steve Battis, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Stonebridge Cos.

The hotel was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in July 2014, and it could be welcoming guests by the summer.

“We are a little ahead of schedule,” Battis said. “We are looking at opening sometime in August.”

All the rooms will have kitchen facilities. Most of the rooms will be studio set ups – with an open floor plan, but there will also be a number of one-bedrooms (with a the bedroom separated from the living room and kitchen) and a few two-bedrooms, Battis said.

While the rooms will primarily be aimed at business travelers, Battis said others enjoy that style of room.

“They are popular with families – folks wanting  little more space,” Battis said. “Also, weekend travelers who just want to visit Boston on vacation.”

Battis said he envisions the Residence Inn attracting people doing business in Watertown, Cambridge, Newton and other surrounding communities. Probably not those doing work in Downtown Boston, however.

The rates have not been set yet, but Battis said they will be competitive in the Boston area. They will also offer discounts for eight or more nights and the lowest rate is for those staying 30 or more nights.

The hotel will not have a full-service restaurant, but it will offer breakfasts, free with the room rate. There will also be events for guests to mingle.

“There will be an evening reception on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with beer and wine and light hors d’oeuvres,” said Battis, who added they will try to include local caterers and upscale food trucks.

Battis works for Stonebridge Cos., a Colorado-based firm which manages nearly 40 hotels in nine states across the country, including three in Manhattan. This will be the company’s first in the Boston area or New England.