Ascend Collection from Choice Adds Three New Properties in October 2011
In California, Michigan and Pennsylvania
SILVER SPRING, MD - October 19, 2011 - The Ascend Collection membership program from Choice Hotels International announced today that three new properties came online this month. The hotels are located in leading destinations across the U.S.
“Membership in Ascend Collection is up 35 percent over the previous year,” says Stacy Ragland, the program's vice president. “We're delighted to welcome these great new hotels, including the network's first in Michigan; Laguna Hills, California; and Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands.”
Ascend Collection includes historic, boutique or unique hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Members are independently owned. At the same time, they leverage the power of the Choice Hotels global reservations and distribution systems. Additionally, the properties gain visibility before a network of more than 13 million Choice Privileges rewards members worldwide. They also acquire a presence on ChoiceHotels.com, one of the industry's most visited websites. The following hotels came online in October at AscendCollection.com.
The Hills Hotel, Laguna Hills, Calif.
Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, The Hills Hotel offers easy access to some of Southern California's most spectacular beaches, shopping, dining and nightlife. Guests here relax by the outdoor heated pool and at the Emerald Lounge, the property's chic new nightspot. Each of the 147 guestrooms has a large flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and beds with pillow-top mattresses and fine linens. Some rooms also have sleeper sofas and striking mountain views. There's a full-service restaurant, 24-hour business center and fitness center. With more than 15,000 square feet of event space, the property houses 11 elegant meeting/banquet rooms.
Not far away are Laguna Beach and other gorgeous beaches. Fashionistas head to boutiques of nearby Newport Beach and Fashion Island, among other shopping hotspots. Additionally, The Hills Hotel boasts excellent proximity to fine restaurants, Disneyland, Mission Viejo OlympicCenter, Wild Rivers Waterpark and Festival of the Arts open-air gallery. Southern California's mountains, ocean and sunny skies make for exceptional year-round recreation, including golfing on many nearby courses, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, sailing and surfing. Through Dec. 31, 2011, The Hills Hotel nightly rates are from $99.
Shoreline Inn & Conference Center, Muskegon, Mich.
Overlooking Muskegon Lake and the Terrace Point Marina, Shoreline Inn sits in the heart of this western Michigan resort community, a short walk from lively restaurants, nightlife, shops, museums and entertainment. This 10-story hotel serves up splendid views of the lake and cityscape through dramatic window walls. Each of the 140 guestrooms is bright and spacious with a covered terrace, comfortable sitting area, refrigerator, microwave and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also have sleeper sofas, whirlpool baths as well as kitchen facilities, and penthouse and corner rooms treat guests to panoramic vistas. Complimentary continental breakfast is served in the hotel's contemporary onsite restaurant with plenty of dockside seating. Shoreline Inn also touts indoor and outdoor pools, business center and fitness center.
For meetings, weddings and social gatherings, the hotel conference center is a light, airy space, with seven meeting rooms and the ability to accommodate up to 300 guests for banquets and 250 for conferences. Right next door, the Terrace Point Marina has 114 slips, a clubhouse, kitchen and picnic area. Guest can dock their boats and rent pontoons, kayaks and bikes here. Shoreline Inn is within walking distance to the Culinary Institute of Michigan, Frauenthal Theater, L.C. Walker Arena, Lakeshore Museum Center and Muskegon Museum of Art. Also nearby: the Michigan Adventure amusement park; Pere Marquette Lighthouse and numerous golf courses. Shoreline Inn's nightly rate start at $99.
The Inn At Mountain View, Greensburg, Penn.
Nestled in the picturesque Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania, The Inn At Mountain Viewis convenient to Pittsburgh and Greensburg businesses and attractions. Originally built in the 1920s, this upscale hotel recently completed a major renovation and now has a new entrance and lobby with comfortable sitting area and 50 renovated guestrooms. The hotel boasts the same stunning views of the Laurel Mountains as well as a fitness center, business center, rave-earning complimentary breakfast buffet and large dog park for four-legged guests, who stay for free. Large guestrooms welcome with elegant furnishings, microwaves, refrigerators, free Wi-Fi and beds covered with crisp white linens and plush comforters. Some rooms have kitchen facilities, sleeper sofas and whirlpool baths as well.
The Laurel Highlands is home to rivers, lakes, state parks and Pennsylvania's highest mountain peaks. Visitors enjoy magnificent vistas and year-round recreation: hiking, mountain biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, skiing as well as top-notch golf courses. Not far from the hotel in Greensburg's vibrant downtown district, streets are lined with theaters, innovative eateries, specialty shops and galleries. Inn At Mountain View is minutes from Fort Ligonier; Idlewild Park, voted the No. 1 Kids' Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine; Arnold Palmer Regional Airport; and Westmoreland Museum of American Art, featuring works by Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt. Also nearby: Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College, home of Pittsburgh's pro football team's training camp. Rates are from $86 per night.
Earlier this year, the following Ascend Collection members came online: Virginian Suites, Arlington, Va., two miles from downtown Washington D.C; Ben Lomond Suites, Ogden, Utah; The Lane Hotel, Keene, N.H.; Zona Hotel & Suites Scottsdale, in Ariz.; and three Canadian properties, Hotel Royal William, Quebec, and Château Moncton and Château Saint John, both in New Brunswick.
About Ascend Collection
The Ascend Collection membership programmade its debut in late 2008 and now has hotels open and under development throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. The network appeals to the growing number of travelers who like to discover upscale and unique hotels with local flair when traveling for business or leisure. Member hotels include The GEM Hotels with three boutique hotels in New York City; Inn of Chicago, one-half block from The Magnificent Mile; The Lane Hotel, in scenic Keene, N.H.; and Inn on the Lake, just outside Halifax, N.S. For more information on this collection of Historic, Boutique and Unique and hotels, visit www.ascendcollection.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2011, more than 450 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 37,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 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 www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges 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.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
