Ascend Collects Two Properties
The Wesport Inn in Connecticut and the GreenLinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort in Naples, Florida
SILVER SPRING, MD - November 30, 2011 - The Ascend Collection membership program from Choice Hotels International is pleased to announce two new properties in the scenic coastal communities of Westport, Conn., and Naples, Fla.
The lodgings are the Westport Inn, the collection's inaugural property in Connecticut, and GreenLinks Golf Villas, its first condominium hotel. Westport Inn is a newly renovated boutique hotel near the Long Island Sound, an hour from Manhattan. Set on two championship golf courses, GreenLinks is minutes from downtown Naples and award-winning beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
“We're thrilled to welcome these beautiful properties,” says Stacy Ragland, vice president of Ascend Collection. “Both are located in sophisticated and charming beach destinations renowned for their spas, shopping, golf and cuisine.”
As part of Ascend Collection, Westport Inn and GreenLinks remain independently owned, while gaining the Choice Hotels global reservations and distribution systems. They acquire a presence on Choicehotels.com. They also add to their offerings Choice Privileges, a guest rewards program with more than 13 million members worldwide.
The Westport Inn
This month, the Westport Inn celebrated its grand opening, marking the completion of a 3.5-million-dollar renovation. The landmark hotel now boasts 6,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, including a ballroom with soaring ceilings and window walls overlooking a nature preserve. Also part of the redesign: a striking new lobby, guest rooms, restaurant and bar, indoor pool and fitness center.
The contemporary New England hotel houses 117 guest rooms and suites featuring plush beds with pillow-top mattresses and crisp white linens as well as luxurious UK-based Aromatherapy Associates bath products. Tech conveniences include Wi-Fi, iPod docks and flat-screen high-definition televisions. Off the lobby is Eramosa, the hotel's casual restaurant and bar, serving breakfast, dinner and weekend brunch. Dishes here are bold and flavorful, featuring the homegrown, naturally raised and freshly caught foods of Eastern Connecticut. Through Dec. 31, 2011, Westport Inn rates are from $129.00 per night.
Easily accessible by train and Interstate 95, Westport boasts picturesque beaches and a thriving arts and culture scene.The inn is less than three miles from the beach and stylish restaurants, boutiques and nightspots of downtown Westport. For outdoor fun, guests ride the hotel's complimentary bicycles to the beach at Sherwood Island State Park. Minutes from the inn, they can take in great performances at the award-winningWestport Country Playhouse and the waterfront Levitt Pavilion. Also nearby are golf courses, fishing, and kayak and boat rentals. Families in particular enjoy the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Beardsley Zoo and the Rolnick Observatory for spectacular views of starry skies above the Long Island Sound.
GreenLinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort
Comforts abound in this condominium resort set in the Lely Resort Golf and Country Club minutes from Naples Airport and Interstate 75. GreenLinks Villas is surrounded by two championship golf courses, one designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and the other by Lee Trevino. Guests choose from 200 furnished, two- and three bedroom villas spanning 1340 - 1540 square feet. Each villa has a living/dining area, fully equipped kitchen, free Internet access and private lanai.
The on-site, full-service Flamingo Island Grille has floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular golf course views. For a glorious day on the links, Golfweek magazine hastwice designated Lely's Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-design course one of America's Best. To relax and refresh, the Players Club Spa is within walking distance, offering massages, manicures, pedicures and a tranquil yoga garden. Additionally, GreenLinks has a sparkling, free-form pool with hot tub; tennis courts; business center; and fitness facilities. With 2,300 square feet of flexible function space, the resort also features a ballroom, meeting room and outdoor venues. Nightly rates start at $199 through April 7, 2012.
Sunny Naples is a city of many charms. Known for its calm clear waters and white sandy shores, the destination earned a TripAdvisor 2011 Travelers' Choice Award as one of America's Best Beaches. Sports enthusiasts delight in golf, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking and more. There are eclectic boutiques, art galleries, spas and a vibrant culinary scene. For a change of pace, this elegant city also offers easy access to secluded islands and the wilderness of Everglades National Park.
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 Hotelswith 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, visitwww.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 September 30,2011, 430 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 35,000 rooms, and 94 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 StayHotel, 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, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collectionare 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 
