Are you looking into staying at a hotel suite but wondering what to expect or curious about all of the different options you might encounter?
We did extensive research on various cities in the US to get an idea of what you can come to expect in a hotel suite in terms of both price and experience.
Check out the article below which will break down everything you need to know about hotel suites including the different types (premium, presidential, etc.), cost, and questions about upgrades.
Table of Contents
What is a hotel suite?
A hotel suite is a type of hotel room that offers guests more space and often more amenities than a standard guest room. Hotel suites can come in many different forms and the price range and square footage can range dramatically. Keep reading below for the full breakdown!
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What are the different types of hotel suites?
There are quite a few different types of hotel suites you might encounter when traveling. However, for the most part, you can lump hotel suites into four different categories which we did below.
Junior suites
A junior suite can take a lot of different forms. In some cases, it might be more of a studio room that is essentially just a wide-open hotel room or loft. There may be an extra nook for the bed area or sitting area but it is usually just one open space.
Other times, there may be a partition between the living area and the bedroom but the bedroom is not fully enclosed. You should have more room than a standard hotel room but it is not always by a large margin. While junior suites are at the bottom of the suite food chain some of them can be quite stunning so don’t dismiss the idea of booking one!
Standard suite
The standard suite is the base level suite offered by the hotel. If you have hotel elite status, this is often the type of suite that you are given as an upgrade. Usually, the defining characteristic is that this suite is more spacious than a guest room and has a bedroom that is separate from the “living room” area. There may be a dining area and in terms of bathrooms you may have one or two.
Note: At an extended stay property, a standard suite may also have a kitchen area.
For hotels that offer all suites or nearly all suites for accommodation, this is usually the type of suite offered (although some will offer two bedroom suites). Also, at some hotels you might be able to connect suites to each other.
Often there is a step up from the standard suite that is called something like a “deluxe suite.” These may be bigger than the standard suite or offer better views, balconies, etc. The price increase for these is generally not as high as it is for a premium suite and in some instances it might only be a marginal increase.
You may also come across the term “executive suite” although typically this is referring to a room on an executive floor.
Executive floors tend to be higher up in the hotel and rooms on those floors (which could be non-suites) get special privileges like access to the hotel club lounge.
So an “executive suite” could just mean that it is a suite located on the executive floor. Or, in some instances it could be an indicator that the suite is of the more premium variety.
Premium suite
Premium suites can come in a lot of different forms and this where you generally start to really notice the price increase.
Some hotels may not offer premium suites while others will have a few different premium suite versions. For example, the W is a good example of a hotel that offers different types of premium suites (Cool Corner, Fantastic, Wow, Extreme Wow, etc.).
The square feet in premium suites usually takes noticeable leap from a standard suite.
Also, you may find these premium suites to be a lot more swanky or interesting in terms of the design, view, floor level, etc. They tend to have a different personality and feel than a standard room or suite.
For example, we booked a bi-level loft at the Niagara Falls Marriott and it was a double decker room with tremendous views of the falls.
One of the coolest premium suites we stayed in was in Las Vegas at the Cosmopolitan in what they call a wraparound terrace suite, which had some amazing views of the Bellagio.
Another unforgettable premium suite came in the form of an overwater bungalow in the Maldives. This was what they called a “retreat villa” which is a type of premium suite that has a separate room for spa treatments.
Note: Some of these suites may have special services attached to them like butler service, which will definitely be the case if it is called something like a “butler suite.”
Presidential suite
The presidential suite is usually the most expensive suite offered by a hotel. The price for a presidential suite often jumps up dramatically from a premium suite and so does the square footage.
Presidential suites can take a lot of different forms.
Often, you have multiple ultra-luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms. The furniture and interior design gets turned up to a maximum and you might have beautiful chandeliers, unique decor/artwork, and huge tv screens to enjoy.
There may only be a couple of bedrooms but you could also see something like a three bedroom, three bathroom set up.
There will probably be a dining room and don’t be surprised to find a full kitchen in the presidential suite or a mini bar (alcohol may or may not be complimentary).
Some presidential suites offer unique amenities like a library, theater, mini-gym, or plunge pool.
You’ll most certainly have access to butler service or some type of 24 hour, on-demand suite service.
Also, there’s a good chance you’ll have access to special perks like complimentary spa services, which could include in-room treatment. If you need transportation to and from the airport, limo service may be included.
Presidential suites are often are on the penthouse level and have sweeping, panoramic views and large balconies or open terraces.
Sometimes all of the suites on the penthouse level are presidential but other times there may be non-presidential suites on the penthouse level.
Also, sometimes the “penthouse suite” is a notch above the presidential suite.
Other suites that might be on par or even above a presidential suite include “governor suites” and “royal suites.”
How expensive are hotel suites?
We did extensive research and took a look at a handful of hotels in each of the major cities in the US in order to figure out what the average prices were for hotel suites.
Before jumping into the figures we arrived at, here is a quick overview of our methodology.
First, we examined the cheapest suites which were the standard suites.
For premium suites, we chose hotel suites that were between the cheapest and most expensive. We focused on rooms that were a good degree higher in price than the standard suite so we avoided choosing rooms like “deluxe suites” which were just a slight step above the standard suite.
And finally, for presidential suites we essentially chose the most expensive suites available in a hotel. Pricing for presidential suites was a little bit difficult to obtain for some locations so in a few cases we based the price on an estimate provided by the hotel.
Below were our findings for average hotel suite prices:
- Standard Room: $424.38
- Standard Suite: $719.18
- Premium Suite: $1,669.46
- Presidential Suite: $3,560.20
These prices show that on average a presidential suite is 738% more expensive than a standard room. The price difference from a standard suite to a premium suite was a 132% increase. And the price difference from a standard room to a standard suite was a 69% increase.
Note: Because we were focused on hotels offering a full range of suites, our data points were more focused on higher-end hotels. We also focused on larger cities which generally have higher prices.
How many people can stay in a hotel suite?
A lot of times the maximum occupancy for a hotel suite is the same as a standard room which may be three or four adults or perhaps two adults and two children. Some of the larger suites with multiple rooms may have higher occupancy. For example, some of the presidential suites we researched allowed between eight and 16 people!
How to get upgraded to hotel suites
There are quite a few methods to obtaining hotel upgrades and I have an extensive guide you should check out for all of the latest tips.
For your average booking made with someone who is not elite, it’s going to be pretty rare to get upgraded to a hotel suite. Most likely, an upgrade would land you to a deluxe room or at best a junior suite but you never know what can happen.
If you have top level elite status, that is often your best bet for getting automatic upgrades at the time of check-in. These will usually be limited to the standard suites but sometimes you can get bumped up to premium suites. I’ve even seen reports online of people getting upgraded to a presidential suite but that would be much more rare!
One of the easiest ways to get upgraded to hotel suites is to use upgrade certificates. These are awards that are issued out to elite members after they hit certain milestones. These certificates come in different forms for different programs.
Sometimes you might be guaranteed an upgrade at the time of booking and other times you may have to wait until a few days before check-in.
Booking suites with points
Booking hotel suites with points is doable at some properties and brands but not all.
Some loyalty programs may limit you to standard rooms or standard suites. However, some will open up expensive suites to points bookings (but just be prepared for some outrageous award prices sometimes).
Hotel suite prices
Below is all of the data from our research for hotel suite prices. A handful of properties from each city was chosen mostly based on their inventory. We included a snapshot of the pricing for each suite and also the average prices for each location.
We also added the price of a standard room so that you can get a sense of how much more expensive a hotel suite is versus a standard hotel room.
New York, NY
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $602.91
- Standard Suite: $1,088.41
- Premium Suite: $2,344.61
- Presidential Suite: $8,544.81
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Conrad New York Downtown | $391 | $420 | $685 | $3,625 |
| Park Hyatt New York | $795 | $1,395 | $3,795 | $9,295 |
| InterContinental New York Barclay | $293.55 | $721.05 | $816.05 | $1,101.05 |
| The St. Regis New York | $756 | $1,421 | $1,659 | $3,703 |
| The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park | $779 | $1,485 | $4,768 | $25,000 |
Los Angeles, CA
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $440.93
- Standard Suite: $907.94
- Premium Suite: $1,334.77
- Presidential Suite: $2,972.05
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills | $703 | $2,134 | $3,201 | $4,850 |
| Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa | $322 | $522 | $772 | $3,172 |
| InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown | $296.63 | $350.72 | $431.87 | $657.27 |
| SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills | $329 | $489 | $539 | $2,555 |
| The West Hollywood EDITION | $554 | $1,044 | $1,730 | $3,626 |
Chicago, IL
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $320.60
- Standard Suite: $519.12
- Premium Suite: $1,359.40
- Presidential Suite: $3,308.40
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Waldorf Astoria Chicago | $436 | $572 | $848 | $6,547 |
| Park Hyatt Chicago | $402 | $722 | $1,482 | $1,802 |
| Conrad Chicago | $319 | $474 | $707 | $3,443 |
| InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile | $162.99 | $240.61 | $2,291 | $2,791 |
| W Chicago – City Center | $283 | $587 | $1,469 | $1,959 |
Houston, TX
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $427.80
- Standard Suite: $670.20
- Premium Suite: $2,483.60
- Presidential Suite: $5,114
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Hilton Americas – Houston | $255 | $499 | $799* | $1,210* |
| Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria | $450 | $734 | $7,050 | $7,051 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Houston | $545 | $865 | $1,120 | $8,370 |
| Marriott Marquis Houston | $430 | $724 | $1,510 | $5,000* |
| Hotel Granduca Houston | $459 | $529 | $1,939 | $3,939 |
Phoenix, AZ
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $599.11
- Standard Suite: $834.91
- Premium Suite: $1,148.21
- Presidential Suite: $1,740.71
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | $648 | $954 | $1,036 | $1,260 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Palomar Phoenix | $331.55 | $426.55 | $569.05 | $901.55 |
| The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale | $906 | $1,082 | $1,699 | $3,344 |
| The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | $607 | $959 | $1,434 | $1,795 |
| Royal Palms Resort and Spa | $503 | $753 | $1,003 | $1,403 |
Philadelphia, PA
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $389.02
- Standard Suite: $705.22
- Premium Suite: $1,982.62
- Presidential Suite: $4,266.42
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| The Rittenhouse Hotel | $629 | $719 | $3,689 | $5,099 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia | $650 | $1,230 | $2,400 | $9,920 |
| The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton | $204 | $259 | $2,361 | $3,255 |
| Kimpton : Hotel Monaco Philadelphia | $233.10 | $323.10 | $368.10 | $1,313.10 |
| Loews Philadelphia Hotel | $229 | $995 | $1,095 | $1,745 |
San Antonio, TX
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $348
- Standard Suite: $541.20
- Premium Suite: $1,220.40
- Presidential Suite: $1,711.60
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk | $352 | $652 | $802 | $2,302 |
| The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio | $281 | $308 | $2,564 | $4,735 |
| Hotel Emma | $595 | $1,015 | $1,795 | $2,095 |
| Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk | $275 | $432 | $602 | $772 |
| Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk | $237 | $299 | $339 | $749 |
San Diego, CA
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $441.40
- Standard Suite: $672.40
- Premium Suite: $1,560.40
- Presidential Suite: $2,580.40
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton | $969 | $1,250 | $3,685 | $4,994 |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | $189 | $414 | $789 | $989 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa | $645 | $920 | $2,420 | $4,220 |
| The Guild Hotel, San Diego, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel | $229 | $289 | $309 | $679 |
| The Westin San Diego Downtown | $175 | $489 | $599 | $2,020 |
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $330.80
- Standard Suite: $435.80
- Premium Suite: $1,538.80
- Presidential Suite: $2,592.20
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| The Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton | $268 | $312 | $578 | $1,044 |
| Virgin Hotels Dallas | $309 | $536 | $1,105 | $1,511 |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas | $549 | $629 | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Kimpton : Pittman Hotel | $186 | $242 | $326 | $466 |
| W Dallas – Victory | $342 | $460 | $685 | $2,940 |
Austin, TX
Average Prices
- Standard Room: $343.20
- Standard Suite: $816.60
- Premium Suite: $1,721.80
- Presidential Suite: $2,771.40
| Hotel Name | Standard Room | Standard Suite | Premium Suite | Presidential Suite |
| The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel | $239 | $359 | $434 | $684 |
| Hyatt Regency Austin | $243 | $579 | $654 | $879 |
| The Driskill | $234 | $734 | $1,734 | $2,234 |
| Austin Proper Hotel | $549 | $1,589 | $3,054 | $6,249 |
| W Austin | $420 | $822 | $2,733 | $3,811 |
*Estimated price based on information from hotel
Final word
As you can see, prices for hotel suites can come in a pretty wide range. Obviously, the more luxurious and upscale the property the higher the price will typically be but prices also fluctuate widely based on seasonality.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
