Extended Stay Hotels, the South Carolina, US-based hotel operator, has announced it has applied to the US Bankruptcy Court for Chapter 11 protection.

HVM LLC, a separate company responsible for the management of more than 680 properties across the US and Canada, said the move would have "no impact" on business and that there were no plans to close or sell any hotels. Gary DeLapp, HVM president and chief executive officer, said: "Extended Stay Inc. has turned an important page in restructuring its debt and recapitalising its business, but for hotel guests, the story is the same: the same great service, the same convenient locations, same comfortable, value-priced hotel rooms.

"Our end of the business - hotel operations and administration - remains strong on an operating basis."