ROCKVILLE, Md. – Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, announced robust system growth with the addition of 88 newly opened franchised properties during the first quarter of 2013. Additionally, the company has executed a total of 83 new domestic contracts within the first quarter of 2013, a 30-percent increase over the same period of the prior year.
Ascend Hotel Collection, a membership program comprised of exquisite independent hotels, continued its exceptional growth into the first quarter of 2013, with 28 new membership agreements signed compared to three membership agreements during the same time last year. Much of this growth is a direct result of Choice Hotels International’s strategic marketing alliance with timeshare company Bluegreen Vacations, a relationship which enables the company to further extend the Ascend Hotel Collection portfolio into even more outstanding resort destinations.
During the first three months of 2013, openings include hotels in 28 U.S. states and 11 countries, adding more than 6,500 guestrooms to the company’s existing rooms which stand at more than half a million. The Choice Hotels portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travelers a full spectrum from premium economy to upscale hotels and resorts.
“We are especially pleased by the positive reception we’ve seen to our upscale brands, as well as the significant traction we’re gaining in major urban markets,” said David Pepper, senior vice president of global development for Choice Hotels International. “Across all brands, the development environment has improved for new construction, so much so that we believe 2013 is on track to be considerably stronger than last year for franchise development.”
Select properties that opened during this year’s first quarter include:
Arroyo Pinion Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection – Sedona, Arizona
The stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona have colorful names like ‘Thunder Mountain,’ ‘Lizard Head,’ and ‘Coffeepot,’ and right across the street from these landmarks you will find the Arroyo Pinion Hotel. Guests of Arroyo Pinion, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, will love its proximity to nature, including the world-renowned Red Rock Crossing and scenic Oak Creek Canyon, as well as the easy access to shopping in Uptown Sedona, with its impressive array of art galleries. Local eateries range from casual chic to five-star elegance and those who wish to explore Sedona’s mystical vortexes will have plenty of local guides to lend a hand. Guests can also enjoy the spirit of relaxation with in-room whirlpool tubs and patios available in many rooms. Free continental breakfast and a free daily newspaper make the Arroyo Pinion a perfect spot for business and leisure travelers.
Hotel Cromwell, a Clarion Collection hotel – Stevenage, Great Britain, UK
History pairs with modern luxury at the stately Hotel Cromwell, part of the Clarion Collection portfolio of hotels, located in Stevenage, Great Britain. Converted from a farmhouse which was once home to John Thurloe, secretary to Oliver Cromwell, guests can sample the local character at the nearby Hatfield House and the splendid Knebworth House. Families will particularly enjoy the neighboring Harry Potter World, Woburn Safari Park, Whipsnade Zoo, and Paradise Wildlife Park. A visit to London is just minutes away via rail or the A1. Dining options include the elegant Oliver’s Restaurant and its excellent wine list, as well as the hotel’s tavern and lounge. Business and leisure travelers alike will appreciate the flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, trouser press, and tea & coffee making facilities available in each and every room.
Comfort Inn Midtown West/Manhattan – New York, NY
The brand new Comfort Inn Midtown West, located in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan has easy access to everything New York City has to offer. Minutes away from marquee attractions including Times Square, Broadway and the Empire State Building, the hotel also is close to Central Park, 5th Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Center. Welcoming interior corridors transport you conveniently and safely to the spacious rooms. Guests – whether they’re in the Big Apple for business or pleasure – will appreciate the free wireless high-speed Internet access, free in-room coffee, and a free hot and delicious breakfast featuring eggs, meat, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal and more, including your choice of hot waffle flavors.
Clintwood Sleep Inn & Suites – Clintwood, Virginia
Travelers will rest well amidst the trees and rolling hills of southwestern Virginia at The Sleep Inn & Suites® hotel in Clintwood, Virginia. This simply stylish Designed to Dream® hotel features soft lighting and soothing, nature-oriented artwork, as well as the Sleep Inn brand’s signature showers, plush bedding, large workspaces with ergonomic chairs and high-definition flat-screen televisions with cable programming. Local history is close at hand with the Ralph Stanley Museum and Dr. Phipps Family Museum located just up the road. Guests will re-energize with a workout in the on-site exercise room and keep productive at the hotel’s business center.
Choice Hotels also introduced the following hotels during the quarter:
DOMESTIC
Ascend Hotel Collection
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Arroyo Pinion Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection member
Sedona
AZ
45
Carmel Mission Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Carmel
CA
165
St. James Hotel New Orleans, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
New Orleans
LA
86
Admiral Fell Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Baltimore
MD
80
The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Baltimore
MD
38
Pier 5, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Baltimore
MD
66
Clarion Inn
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Clarion Inn & Suites University Center
Auburn
AL
118
Clarion Hotel Medical Center
Little Rock
AR
263
Clarion Hotel
Fort Mill
SC
197
Clarion Inn
Cleveland
TN
59
Comfort Inn & Suites
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Comfort Inn
Benson
AZ
62
Comfort Suites
Texarkana
AR
82
Comfort Inn
Morro Bay
CA
32
Comfort Suites Sarasota
Sarasota
FL
97
Comfort Suites
Bossier City
LA
83
Comfort Inn
Jackson
MS
53
Comfort Inn
Tupelo
MS
58
Comfort Inn & Suites By Worlds of Fun
Kansas City
MO
86
Comfort Inn
Fayetteville
NC
61
Comfort Inn Midtown West
New York City
NY
89
Comfort Inn
Saint Clairsville
OH
54
Comfort Inn & Suites
Alva
OK
60
Comfort Inn
Clarksville
TN
60
Econo Lodge
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Little Rock
AR
33
Econo Lodge
Rockville
IN
31
Econo Lodge
Hammonton
NJ
94
Econo Lodge
Jamestown
ND
39
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Williamsburg
VA
100
Econo Lodge
Woodstock
VA
40
Quality Inn & Suites
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Quality Inn
Atmore
AL
49
Quality Inn & Suites
Thomasville
AL
40
Quality Suites
Stratford
CT
82
Quality Inn
Altamonte Springs
FL
80
Quality Inn
Sarasota
FL
61
Quality Inn & Suites
Griffin
GA
49
Quality Inn Conference Center
Logansport
IN
80
Quality Inn & Suites
Coralville
IA
63
Quality Inn Deep Creek Lake
Mc Henry
MD
75
Quality Inn
Henderson
NC
120
Quality Inn & Suites
Hobbs
NM
65
Quality Inn & Suites
Watertown
NY
95
Quality Inn
Canton
OH
61
Quality Inn
Houston
TX
88
Quality Inn & Suites
Houston
TX
62
Quality Inn
Chesapeake
VA
59
Quality Inn
Evanston
WY
100
Rodeway Inn
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Rodeway Inn
Imperial
CA
90
Rodeway Inn
South Gate
CA
52
Rodeway Inn
Sarasota
FL
96
Rodeway Inn & Suites
Macon
GA
40
Rodeway Inn
Skokie
IL
134
Rodeway Inn & Suites
Hoisington
KS
31
Rodeway Inn
Alexandria
LA
40
Rodeway Inn
Whitehall
MT
33
Rodeway Inn
Jersey City
NJ
50
Rodeway Inn
Albuquerque
NM
109
Rodeway Inn & Suites
Roseburg
OR
52
Rodeway Inn
North Charleston
SC
77
Rodeway Inn & Suites
Austin
TX
48
Sleep Inn
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Sleep Inn at PGA Village
Port Saint Lucie
FL
17
Sleep Inn & Suites
Clintwood
VA
53
Suburban Extended Stay
Hotel Name
City
Country/State
Rooms
Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Quantico
Stafford
VA
95
INTERNATIONAL
Ascend Hotel Collection
THE THIEF, an Ascend Hotel Collection hotel
Oslo
Norway
120
Clarion Inn
Clarion Collection Hotel Helsing
Helsingborg
Sweden
63
Clarion Collection Hotel Cromwell Stevenage
Stevenage
United Kingdom
76
Comfort Inn & Suites
Comfort Inn Centrepoint
Lismore
Australia
41
Comfort Inn Bushmans
Parkes
Australia
30
Comfort Inn Suba
Ahmedabad
India
36
Comfort Hotel Amadeus Roma
Rome
Italy
24
Comfort Inn Ciudad de Mexico Santa Fe
Mexico City
Mexico
196
Comfort Hotel Arctic
Lulea
Sweden
94
Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge Statesman Ararat
Ararat
Australia
19
Econo Lodge Grafton
Grafton
Australia
31
Econo Lodge
Golden
Canada
38
Quality Inn & Suites
Quality Hotel Bayside Geelong
Geelong
Australia
68
Quality Inn Margaret River
Margaret River
Australia
55
Quality Hotel Petrolina
Petrolina
Brazil
132
Quality Hotel & Conference Centre
Campbellton
Canada
61
Quality Hotel Alisee Poitiers Nord
Chasseneuil, Futuroscope Cedex
France
75
Quality Hotel Green Palace
Monterotondo
Italy
100
Quality Inn Lake Taupo
Taupo
New Zealand
40
Quality Hotel Bodensia
Boden
Sweden
100
Quality Hotel Stadshotellet Skelleftea
Skelleftea
Sweden
113
Quality Hotel Sundsvall
Sundsvall
Sweden
201
Quality Hotel Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds
United Kingdom
71
Quality Hotel Colchester
Colchester
United Kingdom
50
Quality Hotel Kings Lynn
Kings Lynn
United Kingdom
50
Quality Hotel Peterborough
Peterborough
United Kingdom
70
