Company Overview for Howard Johnson
This brand is among the best-known of midpriced hotel chains.
Howard Johnson motor lodges are a product extension of Howard Johnson restaurants, which lined the U.S. Interstate Highway System at the beginning of World War II. Today, Howard Johnson operates more than 500 hotels in 14 countries. The brand is a mainstay throughout North America and is gaining ground in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, India and China. The brand offers four tiers that differ slightly: Howard Johnson Express Inn (most basic amenities), Howard Johnson Inn (add swimming pool), Howard Johnson Hotel (add exercise room and adjacent restaurant), Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (add bell and room service, express check-out and banquet facilities).
Families are in the forefront at Howard Johnson hotels. Under the Kids Go HoJo program, children receive a package of puzzles, games and crayons at check-in. Some locations feature Crayola Kids Rooms, which give children their own playroom in which to relax and have fun. Designed to spur the imagination, the rooms are decorated with Crayola brand lamps, clocks, easels and accessories. Child-size tables and chairs make artwork projects easy. Family-oriented videos and children's books are available, too.
Howard Johnson's invitation to families extends to the household pet. Its Wags-to-Whiskers program operates in more than 170 hotels in North America. The pet-friendly policy includes a welcome kit. Guests are asked to advise the housekeeping staff to use a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner when they check out of their rooms.
The brand encourages business travelers by offering discounts of 5% to 10% off standard rates to guests who have a Howard Johnson Corporate Account.
Business and leisure travelers alike receive such services as free incoming faxes and local phone calls. Rooms are equipped with a work desk and chair, a desk-top phone, data port and work lighting. Additional standard amenities are a cordless phone, an in-room coffeemaker, a clock radio and a complimentary weekday newspaper.
Each franchisee decides on the amenities that will be offered at a particular location. Some operate Howard Johnson restaurants, some have alternate restaurant brands and others have no dining facilities on-site. Such relaxation amenities as indoor pools, whirlpools and fitness centers are available at some locations.
The Howard Johnson Government Program offers reduced rates and a full Continental breakfast to state, provincial and federal military employees, as well as to foreign military and government employees. Senior citizens receive a 20% discount at participating hotels. HoJo also offers special rates for groups and provides such services as free baggage-handling.
Howard Johnson's parent company is Cendant. Cendant recently split its company into four parts: Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide, Travelport and Avis Budget Group. Wyndham Worldwide controls Cendant’s lodging enterprise and is the world’s largest lodging franchisor by number of hotels. Besides Howard Johnson, Wyndham Worldwide