The lounge with the breakfast bar beyond.

Innovation and change in brand standardisation becomes an issue when branding. In Europe the drivers of high standards have not been the chain hotels but rather the innovative independents. The groups have adopted innovations pioneered elsewhere because of the need to stay competitive, and whilst the business model for the US is admired and mimicked here, their design standards are not universally admired. The comparison of the prototype rooms with the new rooms of Chantilly is instructive in this context, as are remarks made to the effect that the prototypes can influence the brands standards in the USA.

Kitchenettes have ovens, dish washers, microwaves and a list of take-away places that deliver... Rollover to see the European prototype equivalent

Central to Chantilly is the lounge with its large double sided fireplace for fires in winter (the reverse gives a welcoming fire at the end of the reception area). The lounge area acts as a communal area, and hosts the managers reception three nights a week, where over free food and drinks the manager is able to act as a catalyst to a networking meeting, whilst at the same time making sure their own marketing is being effective. Food service is normally restricted to breakfast (included in the room rate) but as every suite has an efficient kitchenette the guest can cook or reheat for themselves as is appropriate for a ‘home from home’. Whilst on one side of the lounge is the food area, on the other is the business suite, with web access on two computers which also allow access to printers and other services.There is a small library of books, and an automated DVD library. The hotel also has a separate boardroom available, and free web services are available to the laptop equipped ‘road warrior’ throughout the hotel.

The suites are large and have plenty of storage space. Whilst linen and towel services are similar to a normal hotel, housekeeping is not, being restricted to bed make-up, bathroom clean and a quick vacuum around, with clean linen coming in for a new guest or just once a week – although a guest can request a linen change at any time. If you drop a book face down on the floor it will still be there when you come back – just like home.

Rooms are very well equipped with generous work desks in addition to the breakfast bar. This means that you can cook and eat whilst leaving work laid out on the desk, as it doesn’t have to double as a dining area. This also means that the desk is equipped with a proper office chair whilst the breakfast bar has a couple of dining chairs. The rooms are let at a room rate, which means that a spouse or children can come and stay in the room over the weekend, as a change from the guest having to go home. This flexibility is designed to encourage the long stay guest to treat the hotel truly as a ‘home from home’, and the room rate is higher for short stays as opposed to longer stays. This obviously enables the manager to work out deals with local companies so that consultants or workers from other company sites can easily be accommodated.

Rather like a resort hotel this requires more drawer and wardrobe space than a normal hotel and this is generously accommodated in a room plan that allows for a dressing room area outside of the bathroom between it and the bedroom. It also has its own small launderette, and a well equipped gym and a swimming pool. In the outdoor areas between the bedroom blocks are small courtyard gardens containing the barbecue units which are also available for guests use.