PHOENIX, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ascend
Collection membership program from Choice Hotels International
continues its expansion with new member properties in gateway
cities in the United States and
Canada.
These lodgings are Clifton Hotel, Miami's South
Beach, Florida's first LEED
Gold hotel; The National Hotel and Suites, the network's first
property in the capital city of Ottawa; and Hotel Elan, marking the
collection's debut in Calgary. The
new additions bring the portfolio's roster to eight hotels in
Canada and more than 75 properties
worldwide.
Other recent additions include new boutique hotels in key
markets: Hotel de Point in New
York three miles from LaGuardia Airport, enVision Hotel
Boston and The Blake Hotel New Orleans. The momentum continues,
with signed contracts for new members in destinations like
Las Vegas, Philadelphia and British Anguilla.
Launched in the fall of 2008, Ascend Hotel Collection today has
upscale independent hotels in the United
States, Canada, the
Caribbean, Scandinavia and
Costa Rica. The fast-growing
portfolio has a proven track record for driving reservations, with
a contribution rate from Choice Hotels of more than 58 percent for
2011, the highest among the Choice family of 11 brands.
As part of Ascend Hotel Collection, member properties maintain
their independent brand identity, while adding the firepower of
Choice's global distribution, marketing and technology. The hotels
gain a presence on ChoiceHotels.com, one of the industry's most
visited websites, drawing 100 million visits annually. They acquire
an industry-leading property management system, enabling them to
manage reservations in real time. They also gain a loyalty program,
Choice Privileges, with more than 15 million rewards members
worldwide.
"Ascend Hotel Collection is on a roll, with recent debuts and
expansions in major urban markets," says Michael Murphy, senior vice president of upscale
brands at Choice Hotels. "Each hotel has a unique personality that
celebrates its location. Our newest members are close to the
action. That makes them great fits for our guests, who like to
immerse themselves in the destination and live like the locals when
they travel." Following are the latest additions to Ascend Hotel
Collection.
The Clifton Hotel South Beach, Miami
Beach – In the heart of the Art Deco District, the
Clifton South Beach Hotel sits on Collins Avenue one-half block
from the beach and a short stroll to South Beach's famous nightlife, shops and
restaurants. This 35-room boutique hotel underwent a
multi-million-dollar eco-renovation and reopened in 2010 with its
historic, Art Deco facade refreshed and redesigned interiors that
are fresh, hip and environmentally friendly. The contemporary decor
features custom furnishings made locally with bamboo, guestrooms
outfitted with modern LED lighting and custom Giclee photographic
prints of the Florida Everglades. As the City of Miami Beach's first LEED-certified building,
the Clifton boasts comfortable mattresses created from renewable
materials and soft pillows made of recycled bottle fibers that are
allergen-free and anti-microbial. Among the many other green
features: solar power, an occupancy-sensing energy management
system, high-efficiency faucets and air conditioning system,
water-conserving dual-flush toilets and energy-efficient
windows. The lobby bar serves up organic wines and cocktails
along with traditional South Beach
favorites. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast as well as VIP
passes to nightclubs and pre-parties. The Clifton South Beach
is owned and managed by the Miami-Beach-based Cambean Hospitality, the
first carbon neutral hospitality group in the United
States. Through Nov. 30, 2012,
rates start at $149 per night
weekdays and $199 per night on
weekends.
The National Hotel and Suites, Ottawa, Ontario – This
downtown hotel is within walking distance of major attractions –
Parliament Hill; Rideau Canal, Canada's largest skateway; National Art
Gallery; boutiques, restaurants, nightlife and paved bike paths –
and less than 10 miles from Ottawa
International Airport. The 328-room property is home to the AAA
Four Diamond Capital Dining Room. Other onsite amenities include: a
lively bar/lounge, cafe, 13,000 square feet of meeting space,
state-of-the-art fitness center, lobby business center and indoor
saltwater swimming pool with a two-story heated waterslide. There
are elegantly appointed guestrooms as well as one- and two-bedroom
suites with wetbars and balconies. On the 18th floor,
the exclusive Summit Club Lounge serves up views of the Parliament
Buildings, Gatineau Mountains and Ottawa River. For outdoor
recreation, National Hotel is minutes from the spectacular Gatineau
Mountains. This hotel is owned by InnVest Properties Ottawa Nominee
LTD and operated by InnVest Hotels XV LP. Rates start at
$129 - $270 per night through
December 2013.
Hotel Elan, Calgary,
Alberta – Located in the bustling Beltline
District, Hotel Elan is minutes away from downtown Calgary and steps from "Uptown 17th Avenue,"
home of Calgary's vibrant
shopping, restaurants and pubs. This 42-suite property is comprised
of Hotel Rooms, One-Bedroom Suites, Two-Bedroom Suites and
Executive Suites with a private exercise room. This inventory
provides options enabling every guest to individualize his or her
accommodation requirements. In each suite, patio doors open onto a
balcony with panoramic city views. Hotel Elan is close to Calgary
Stampede grounds, home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede as well
as concerts and other large-scale events; Saddledome, the stadium
for the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames; Calgary Tower;
Chinatown; and the Calgary Zoo.
About Ascend Collection
The Ascend Hotel Collection membership program made its debut in
late 2008 and now has hotels open and under development throughout
the United States, Canada, Costa
Rica, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. The network appeals to the growing
number of travelers who like to live like the locals when visiting
new places. Member properties include The GEM Hotels with three
boutique hotels in New York City;
Zona Hotel and Suites Scottsdale in Ariz; Nordic Light Hotel,
Stockholm; Grand Hotel Costa Rica,
San Jose; and Hotel Royal William
in the stylish New St. Rock district of downtown Quebec City. For more information, visit
www.ascendcollection.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200
hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other
countries and territories. As of June 30,
2012, more than 375 hotels were under construction, awaiting
conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than
30,000 rooms, and approximately 75 hotels, representing
approximately 6,700 rooms, were under construction, awaiting
conversion or approved for development in approximately 15 other
countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort
Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay
Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn
brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program,
serve guests worldwide.
Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice
Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at
www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort
Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay
Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and
Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service
marks of Choice Hotels International.
© 2012 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights
reserved.
SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.