LOS ANGELES — It was a week of announcements in Los Angeles at Choice Hotels International’s 59th Annual Convention, where the hotel company’s operators gathered to hear about the opening of the 100th Ascend Hotel Collection property, a Cambria Suites partnership and the 100th Designed to Dream Hotel at Sleep Inn (pictured).
The 100th Ascend Hotel Collection property opened at the Hotel Elan in Calgary, growing the portfolio of independent hotels that was launched in 2008. “Our hotels have always been great stops along the way,” said Steve Joyce, president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “Ascend is forging new ground for us with exciting properties that are, themselves, the destination. Travellers have always looked to Choice for exceptional value. Ascend extends this tradition, delivering great value and amenities at high-end hotels and resorts in some of the world’s most sought-after vacation spots.”
Incidentally, the convention also fêted the completion of the 100th Designed to Dream new prototype renovation program for existing Sleep Inn hotels across the United States. Launched in May 2010, the residential-inspired design features soft lighting, warm colours and nature-oriented artwork. The design seems to be working in Choice’s favour, with news that executed deals and new construction applications for Sleep Inn jumped 145 per cent and 186 per cent respectively between 2012 and 2011.
And, development is on the rise at Choice’s Cambria Suites, too. It’s been announced that the hotel company has entered into a joint venture with California’s Fillmore Capital Partners, LLC and its affiliates to develop multiple Cambria Suites hotel properties. This will be the brand’s first institutional investor.
