Ascend Collection Inks Agreement with Royale Caribbean Resort Anguilla

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. September 17, 2010

September 16, 2010 - Ascend Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) builds its Caribbean presence with the announcement today of a new member hotel on the exclusive island of Anguilla.

The Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa, currently under construction, is a high-end boutique hotel in Little Harbor on the island's southern coast, slated to open in January 2011 as a member of Ascend Collection, the upscale network of historic, boutique and unique hotels from Choice Hotels International in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

“Our Ascend Collection membership program is a perfect fit for upscale independent hotels throughout the Caribbean seeking to gain a competitive advantage while maintaining their individuality,” said Brian Parker, vice president of emerging markets and new businesses development for Choice Hotels. “We're thrilled to add a property of such stature as the Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa on the prestigious island of Anguilla.”

Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Quincy Gumbs, local developers with successful businesses throughout Anguilla, including the Fairplay Group of Companies, comprised of Fairplay Insurance Agency, Fairplay Jewelry and Perfumes, and Fairplay Food Center.

“Here we will benefit from Choice Hotels immense marketing resources and consultancy services but retain overall management control and style of the hotel,” said Quincy Gumbs, owner of the Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa. “This is very important to us because Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa will emerge not only as a leader in the hospitality industry in Anguilla, but an emerging brand in the Eastern Caribbean.”

The resort's location is set amidst colorful tropical gardens. Each of the property's 80 guestrooms will offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and the mountains and coastline of neighboring St. Maarten. Among the onsite amenities, plans for Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa boast three restaurants, a 10,000 square-foot spa, stretches of pristine beachfront, a gift shop, lush tropical gardens, tennis courts and a unique Caribbean-inspired conch-shaped pool.

“We're delighted to welcome the Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa to Ascend Collection and look forward to building our membership program even more in the Caribbean,” says Stacy Ragland, vice president of Ascend Collection for Choice Hotels. “Offering a suite of resources designed to boost revenue and occupancy, Ascend Collection is a fit for savvy owners and operators of independent, upscale hotels. Member properties appeal to travelers looking for hotels like the Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa, offering a true taste of the local culture along with spectacular service and design.”

With 28,000 square feet of meeting space, Royale Caribbean Resort & Spa is set to house one of the Caribbean's largest convention facilities. For elegant weddings, meetings, conventions and receptions, the resort will offer two banquet rooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms, accommodating up to 1,600 people. Whether seeking activity or relaxation, guests will discover a full gamut of options, from snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing to dining, sunning, swimming and strolling along glorious white-sand beaches.

Ascend Collection appeals to a growing number of travelers who like to discover independent, high-service properties with rich local character when staying in new destinations. Ascend Collection properties maintain their distinctive style and personality, while also benefiting from Choice Hotels vast resources, including global reservation and distribution systems and a robust online presence on Choicehotels.com. Additionally, their guests can earn and redeem points at Choice brand hotels worldwide through the Choice Privileges rewards program.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2010, more than 580 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 47,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 20 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 serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at http://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 Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.