Tag: choice hotels international inc

Cambria Suites, the classy all-suite, all new construction hotel brand that is franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), among the many world’s largest lodging companies, continues to draw demand from developers. Today, the upscale hotel brand announces two hotel franchise agreements inside the rapidly expanding business communities of McAllen, Texas and West Fargo, North Dakota.

In the booming Texas border town of McAllen, located just north of the thriving McAllen-Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), Cambria Suites is operating with very fashionable McAllen Strategic Group LLC and affiliates Hankin Enterprises and Fulcrum Management Corp because the official hotel of the city’s $90 million, 85,000 square foot, world-class convention center and the market’s most upscale lodging option. The Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center shall be a 121 suite, 4-story property in an effort to also offer two banquet rooms and an executive conference room. The hotel may also feature a resort style pool, alfresco front room inspired decor, cabana lounge pods and a fireplace pit.

The West Fargo agreement is with highly respected KAJ Hospitality, which has corporate offices in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mitchell, South Dakota and Wichita, Kansas, and can bring a trendy all-suites Cambria Suites brand hotel to North Dakota to service guests of the longer term conference center within the rapidly developing business community of West Fargo in addition to other visitors to the realm. The daddy and son development, ownership and management team of Kevin and Aaron Johnson will develop a four-story, 103 suite Cambria Suites hotel in West Fargo connected to the longer term 15,000 square foot conference center which KAJ Hospitality can even own and operate.

“Choice Hotels International is experiencing plenty of growth instantaneously, especially within the upscale lodging segment. Cambria Suites is key to our success in that space and it keeps on delivering for us,” said Stephen P. Joyce , president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International. “We were very strategically rolling out this brand, projecting growth and targeting prospering markets like McAllen and West Fargo. Teaming up with great developers as these only makes it easier.”

“Cambria Suites is the ideal brand for these expanding markets,” said Michael Murphy , senior vice chairman of upscale brands for Choice Hotels International. “We are seeing incredible growth within the Fargo, North Dakota and South Texas regions. Multi-national companies are expanding very fast in these cities, attracting business travelers and driving demand for a spacious, upscale lodging option where they could relax and remain productive at the road. We’re working with developers who understand these markets in addition to we do and Cambria Suites hits a sweet spot with these guests.”

In 2012, U.S. Census Bureau rated McAllen among the many ten fastest growing cities within the U . s . a ., largely a result of McAllen FTZ. Bordering Mexico, the McAllen FTZ is among the country’s most active thanks to provisions under the North American Free Trade Agreement which provide tariff and tax relief and other cost-savings to businesses. This has attracted major global companies in recent times, transforming the McAllen metropolitan area into a world hub where multi-national companies have dedicated significant investment and resources. These organizations include: LG, Panasonic, Corning, Motorola and Black & Decker, to call a couple of.  U.S. Customs and Border Patrol McAllen Station also has a significant presence attracting government employees and civilian contractors to support its mission overseeing operation of the FTZ and for patrolling 53 miles of the Rio Grande.

Conveniently located near McAllen International Airport, Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center is situated in close proximity to major interstate highways and diverse international cross border bridges. Town leads the state of Texas in retail sales making it a big shopping and restaurant destination. Right round the corner, guests of Cambria Suites can benefit from the Simon Property Group’s popular 350,000 square foot lifestyle retail center, Palms Crossing. 

“Our team couldn’t be more all for our affiliation with the remarkable Cambria Suites brand,” said Christopher Haridopolos , principal of McAllen Strategic Group LLC. “We look ahead to growing in the ever expanding Cambria Suites family.”

With a population of greater than 25,000, West Fargo is without doubt one of the fastest growing communities in North Dakota reporting a growth rate of 72.9% in 2012, in response to the West Fargo Economic Development Committee. West Fargo is a part of the bigger Fargo/Moorhead MSA which has a population of two20,000 with an annual growth rate of 2.5%. The longer term KAJ Hospitality-developed conference center and connected Cambria Suites hotel are prime examples of this growth. Further, the brand new Sanford Health Medical Center, a $500 million, 371 bed state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in 2016 can also be adjacent to the brand new hotel and conference center. Companies with a enormous or increasing presence nearby include Sanford Health, Titan Machinery, Bobcat, Cat Reman, Catholic Health Initiatives and Case New Holland.

“This is an excessively exciting and bold project for us and we all know Cambria Suites is the suitable fit. We considered many brands but we felt best about working with Choice Hotels,” said Aaron Johnson vp and chief financial officer of KAJ Hospitality. “The support we’ve got received from Choice Hotels and the Cambria Suites team was nothing in need of fantastic and we think that relationship to simply grow. The vision and strategy for the Cambria Suites brand falls right consistent with our vision for KAJ Hospitality.”

Typical to the Cambria Suites brand, the all-suite rooms are larger than standard offering travelers a spacious room to opened up overnight or over several nights. Designed to satisfy the wishes of today’s business travelers, these hotels provide separate areas for travelers to work and rest. Cambria Suites West Fargo is scheduled to start construction in June 2013 and open within the second quarter of 2014. Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center is anticipated to wreck ground within the third quarter of 2013.

These hotels will continue to deliver the consistently high level of fashion at an equally attractive price guests have come to expect with this brand. All Cambria Suites hotels are new-construction and the logo leads the remainder of the upscale lodging segment in guest satisfaction scores as measured by guests’ likelihood to recommend (LTR). As of today, many Cambria Suites hotels are ranked #1 and #2 of their respective markets on TripAdvisor.

“Word of mouth is king and Cambria Suites is leading the conversation,” said Murphy. “We offer visitors a consistent, prime quality guest experience and they’re talking about it. This brand has truly tapped into what travelers today want and wish while at the road – service without stuffiness, style that doesn’t feel sterile and convenience that doesn’t forego comfort.”

Designed as an approach to life hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers greater than only a place to sleep at night. It incorporates a larger lobby to present guests a more social atmosphere, spacious all-suite rooms that come with separate areas to work and rest, providing business and leisure travelers room to sit back, socialize and network.

All Cambria Suites hotels feature Reflect, an informal dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art health club with a chic pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that gives energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

In addition, each suite offers the newest technology, including two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub™ plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to attach their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digicam or CD/DVD player hassle-free. Free high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is on the market during the hotel in order that guests can stay connected.

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Ascend Hotel Collection® from Choice Hotels International, Inc, some of the world’s largest hotel companies, today announced the hole of its 100th hotel, a milestone for the portfolio of independent hotels launched in late 2008. 

The announcement was made on the company’s annual convention in La at the heels of a string of additives that marked the Collection’s expansion into such top destinations as Las Vegas, Napa Valley, Sedona and Baltimore. Because the beginning of the year, Ascend Hotel Collection has opened 30 hotels, catapulting the portfolio to its landmark 100th hotel in lower than five years.

Since its debut in 2008, Ascend Hotel Collection has quintupled in size, adding hotels on three continents and five countries and establishing its position as a pacesetter within the growing trend toward affiliation for independent hotels.

“Ascend Hotel Collection plays a key role in our corporate technique to expand within the upscale segment,” said Steve Joyce , president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “In some ways, the addition of our many Ascend properties is reshaping who we’re at Choice.

“Our hotels have always been great stops along the way in which,” Joyce continued. “Ascend is forging new ground for us with exciting properties which can be , themselves, the destination. Travelers have always looked to Choice for exceptional value. Ascend extends this practice, delivering great value and amenities at high-end hotels and resorts in a few of the world’s most sought-after vacation spots.”

The continuing momentum of the Ascend Hotel Collection is paving the style for robust growth in key markets throughout the next two years. Newly signed agreements demand additional expansion in such markets as Ny city, the Caribbean and international destinations.

“Ascend’s success indicates we’re giving our members exactly what they need – the facility to function independently but with the backing of 1 of the world’s largest hospitality franchisors,” said Michael Murphy , senior vp of upscale brands at Choice Hotels International. “It’s a strong affiliation that’s generating demand from leading developers and owners of independent hotels worldwide. Growth have been particularly strong in North America, and there’s enormous potential for added expansion in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Among the Collection’s significant benefits, Murphy points to its proven track record for driving reservations. Additionally, member hotels maintain their unique identity, while gaining the firepower of the option Hotels global distribution, sales, marketing and technology platforms in addition to a rewards program with greater than 17 million members worldwide. “That’s incredible visibility for an independent hotel,” Murphy talked about.

Hundredth Hotel
Ascend Hotel Collection’s 100th property, Hotel Elan, is the portfolio’s first in Calgary. It joins seven other Canadian locations coast-to-coast, including Quebec City, Ottawa and Halifax. The hotel will celebrate its status because the landmark 100th hotel by rewarding 100 guests with Elite Gold Status inside the Choice Privileges® rewards program.

Like its 99 sister properties, Hotel Elan makes it easy for guests to immerse themselves within the local culture. The contemporary boutique hotel occupies a first-rate spot within the bustling Beltline District, steps from “Uptown 17th Avenue”, Calgary’s shopping, dining and nightlife hub. Guests are within easy walking distance to scores of pubs and ethnic restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. Nearby landmarks include the Scotiabank Saddledome, home to world-class concerts and Calgary Flames hockey; Calgary Tower for spectacular views; University of Calgary and the Calgary Zoo. Hotel Elan can also be minutes faraway from Calgary’s downtown business district, making for a simple commute from hotel to office.

The property has 62 units including guest rooms, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites.  All units are richly appointed with sleek Italian furnishings, a mini-bar stocked with healthy snacks, 42- and 47-inch flat-screen televisions and double-thick walls with special soundproofing for a relaxed night’s sleep. Beds are plush with pillow-top mattresses and headboards with multiple USB ports and internet jacks.  Among the many tech comforts, guests can play content from their smartphones and computers on television monitors. All suites include conference tables for in-room meetings and balconies with striking city views.  In two-bedroom suites, guests luxuriate in deep chromatherapy soaker tubs. The sprawling 974 sq. ft. Executive Two-Bedroom Suites also feature a non-public exercise room with stationary bike, yoga mat and tv.

Additionally, Hotel Elan houses a gymnasium, business kiosk within the lobby and two meeting rooms for gatherings of as much as 15 individuals with state-of-the-art audio and video conferencing equipment. Just off the lobby, the Orchid Room transforms from a breakfast spot to gathering area, where guests can work, socialize and relax. Hotel Elan’s special touches and free amenities add significant value.  Each room has a fifteen-megabyte private/dedicated wired and wireless internet connection. Complimentary items include an everyday fresh, healthy breakfast, heated walkways to the hotel, an underground heated parking garage and telephone calls throughout North America and 73 countries worldwide. 

New Resorts
Among Ascend Hotel Collection’s other notable recent additions, 21 Bluegreen Vacation resorts came online this spring in one of the most country’s premier vacation destinations like Miami, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Orlando. These properties feature luxurious vacation villas with multiple bedrooms and completely equipped kitchens in addition the whole gamut of resort amenities, including private beaches, spas, restaurants, children’s programs, shops and more.

High Guest Satisfaction
The Collection’s hotels garner consistently high guest satisfaction scores in addition to high rankings on TripAdvisor lists of their respective markets.  Several hotels also boast TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence. Prior to now two years, the group’s hotels have captured spots on such high-profile lists as Top 10 Hotels by the ocean in Coastal Living magazine and Top 10 Ny city Hotels by ReviewPro, a corporate that calculates rankings using data from the internet.

“Travelers searching for unique hotels and authentic local experience,” Murphy said, “and that’s exactly Ascend Hotel Collection offers. The group’s remarkable growth, high guest satisfactions scores and robust performance mean we’re speaking the language of franchisees and their guests. The portfolio is an all-around win, with strong attract travelers, developers and independent hoteliers.”

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Choice Hotels International, Inc, one of the crucial world’s largest hotel companies, announces the appointment of Eben Hewitt to Chief Technology Officer based out of the company’s global technology hub in Phoenix, Arizona. On this role, Hewitt will report on to the option Hotels Chief Information Officer, Todd Davis, and oversee Choice Hotels’ technical vision and lead all aspects of Choice’s technology development in applications, architecture, and data—a pivotal role given the company’s strong emphasis on technology and innovation.

Hewitt already possesses a firsthand understanding of the selection Hotels technology and business strategies in addition the corporate culture as a former associate having risen within the ranks to Senior Director of System Architecture. While at Choice Hotels, Hewitt led the team that won the Oracle Corporation Middleware Innovation Award for Architecture, before a short departure in 2012 to function Chief Information Officer for O’Reilly Media, a Silicon Valley innovator. 

“Eben contains all of the skills and proven track record as a technology leader and visionary – plus he knows and thrives within the Choice Hotels culture. We couldn’t be more pleased than to bring him back on this vital role,” said Todd Davis , chief information officer of Choice Hotels International. “The role of CTO is important for our organization, during which technology plays such an important role in our current and future direction. Eben’s broad experience in all aspects of data technology—including application development, architecture and infrastructure—along with knowing the way to apply technology to business development and strategy, enables us to continue to exploit technology to advance our corporate goals and franchisee and guest experiences, especially as we progress as an industry leader in cloud-based systems and mobile technologies.” 

In addition to leading the design and implementation of technology solutions, as CTO, Hewitt will lead Choice’s culture of creative problem solving. Further, Hewitt will actively evaluate the direction and growth of industry technologies and trends to make sure Choice Hotels is staying earlier than technology developments and leveraging these developments for any potential growth opportunities.

Hewitt can also be liable for the oversight of the the company’s technical intellectual property, while leading all information systems planning, including all phases of systems architecture and design; programming; installation and ongoing operations; and upkeep. Further, he’s going to oversee architecture and development standards, policies and procedures and make sure adherence to those standards.

Hewitt is the writer of several books on software development and technology, including some of the earliest books on big data, Cassandra: The Definitive Guide and he was a contributor to 97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know. He has worked in technology as an architect, software developer, systems administrator, manager, and consultant across many industries including media, retail, government, ISPs, and software startups. He serves at the Advisory Board for Arizona State University’s Computer Information Systems department.

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Choice Hotels International, Inc., among the many world’s largest hotel companies, has completed its move and officially checked into its new state-of-the-art global headquarters at 1 Choice Hotels Circle in Rockville, Maryland within the heart of Rockville Town Square.

After greater than 40 years based in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland, the move reflects the company’s continued growth, the strong appeal of its hotel brands—which include industry icons Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, and Econo Lodge and the newer upscale brand Cambria Suites, and the original and upscale Ascend Hotel Collection membership program—as well as Choice Hotels’ want to remain rooted within the Montgomery County community.

Choice Hotels worked with top level developers, architects, designers, project managers and sustainability consultants Foulger-Pratt Companies, WDG Architecture, VOA Associates, rand* construction corporation, AtSite, Inc. and Clear Real Estate Services to develop and manage the graceful new facility. The 135,000 square foot global headquarters maintains the texture of a hospitality company incorporating hotel elements resembling check-in desks at reception, a trendy great room lounge, and a business center for visitors that helps to support tasks inclusive of checking email or printing boarding passes. Featuring a large open, contemporary design, the postulate helps to encourage innovation, efficiency and collaboration.

Today greater than 400 headquarter employees moved in to their new offices at 1 Choice Hotels Circle. Innovative technology and connectivity ensure associates and guests can work and relax within the building and out of doors on greater than 3,500 square feet of patio space which offers an inviting open fire pit and outdoor living furniture in addition to cafe tables. Non-conference room meeting and gathering spaces on every floor were created knowing great ideas come from everywhere.

Choice Hotels International selected Rockville, Maryland-based Foulger-Pratt Companies from a prestigious group of prominent owners and developers within the Washington Metropolitan Area to be the landlord, developer, and general contractor of its new global headquarters. Now celebrating its 50th year of operations, Foulger-Pratt is behind other notable real estate projects consisting of the Park Potomac luxury residential and retail development and the Washington, D.C. Mormon Temple located in Kensington, Maryland for which it served as design consultant and general contractor.

“We chose Foulger-Pratt to develop, own and be the final contractor for Choice’s new world headquarters as a consequence of their excellent history of developing and constructing successful and prestigious commercial office and mixed-use real estate projects within the Washington, DC area,”  said Stephen P. Joyce , president and CEO of Choice Hotels International. “Foulger-Pratt was exceptional to work with throughout this process.  From the onset, they assured us they might develop and construct Class A commercial offices that might meet all of Choice Hotels’ requirements, on time and within budget.  They usually did.  They were even prior to schedule.”

Designed to satisfy the ideas for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the facility’s sustainability features include water consumption that was reduced by 40%, locally sourced building materials and controllable lighting and thermostats. Energy consumption would be further offset through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) sourced from wind power. Foulger-Pratt and building designers WDG Architecture are pursuing a LEED Platinum certification for the entire facility.

The Choice Hotels workspace on floors four through nine was designed by VOA Associates, the architecture firm behind Choice Hotels’ offices in Phoenix, Arizona which function the company’s global technology hub. Just like the Rockville headquarters, the Phoenix facility was in accordance with an open design to aid foster innovative ideas and teamwork. Other parties involved with this project include: rand* construction corporation, because the general contractor for the decision Hotels workplace; AtSite, Inc. as project manager and LEED consultants; and Clear Real Estate Services as project manager.