S T R AT EG I C S U G G E S T I O N
A New Kind of Hotel stayAPT Suites expands in Florida with a convenient location near the Capitol
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f you’re still debating the pros and cons of hotel versus Airbnb for Session and committee weeks in Tallahassee, Marsha Shalley would like to add a new and different possibility into the mix. She’s Florida’s Regional Director of Sales for stayAPT Suites, a new sort of
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INFLUENCE Summer 2025
extended stay hotel that offers the best of both worlds — reasonable prices combined with apartment-style living. “From a sales standpoint we’re able to keep our rates down because we are an independent brand. We don’t have that national recognition,” she explains. “And we don’t have the loyalty points and all of those other things you pay when you stay.”
She’s talking about parking, resort fees, and whatever additional charges vacation rental sites cook up. The company might be onto something. The independent franchise has only been around since 2021 and is on its way to opening its 50th property. Tallahassee’s hotel is the third in Florida, with others located in Ocala and Pensacola. In Tallahassee, each of the 62-rooms is a well-appointed 500+-square-foot suite with a kitchen area featuring fullsized appliances, separate living and sleeping areas and two sizeable televisions. General room rates run about $139 a night, but drop to $99 if you stay 30 days or longer. As per usual, all bets on low prices are off on football and graduation weekends. The pitch is all appealing, but stayAPT’s three biggest selling points are location, location, and location. With its Apalachee Parkway view, the hotel is one mile away from the Capitol — a four-minute drive and 18-minute walk. (Sorry, can’t do anything about the pretty decent uphill hike if you’re hoofing it.) All the rooms open to a contained courtyard, and the property is secure — only those with room keys have access to the interior. Pets are welcome with a $25 daily fee, and only up to $100 for longer stays. There is a downside, aside from the odd name that is pronounced “stay A-P-T.” Or, just for grins, you could quote the hit song by K-pop superstar Rosé and Bruno Mars and call it “ah-pa-tay.” To keep rates low the staff is minimal; the front desk is only open during daytime hours. Late check-ins are handled via lockboxes in the lobby. You can check in via stayAPT’s app, which also can turn your phone into your room key. There’s no swimming pool, although there is a very nice patio area with comfortable seating as well as a gas firepit and a grill. A full room
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By Rosanne Dunkelberger