The 165-room Clarion Hotel, located at 2401 West Hundred Rd. (exit 61B off of I-95), is now open. The hotel, which formerly operated as the Howard Johnson Hotel, is owned and operated by DSRA, LLC.

The hotel recently underwent a $2 million renovation that completely renovated its interior and exterior. Guest rooms were refurbished with new furnishings, carpeting and new bathrooms including new tile, new granite surrounds and vanities. Public areas, including the lobby, were redone and a new fitness center and Biznet business center were added.

Recently, Clarion, a brand of full-service hotels and resorts franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH), was named the top ranked midscale hotel brand with food and beverage services in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) for the first quarter of 2004. Clarion ranked first in customer satisfaction in its 9-member comparison group.

"The Clarion Hotel in Chester is a wonderful addition to the Clarion Hotel line," said Alexandra Jaritz, senior director, brand strategy and corporate development for Choice Hotels. "Room amenities and hotel features make this hotel a natural fit for this outstanding brand of full-service hotels."

Hotel features of the Clarion Hotel in Chester include Hooters Restaurant & Lounge, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center with StairMaster, treadmill and exercise bike, a game room and the Biznet business center. The hotel has two rooms with approximately 1,400 square feet of banquet and meeting space that can accommodate up to 70 people.

The Clarion Hotel has rooms with one king and two queen-sized beds. Each room features microwave, refrigerator, 25-inch cable TV and in-room movies, in-room coffee maker, clock radio, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, telephone with two separate phone lines, a speaker phone, and high-speed Internet access. King rooms have a large desk with ergonomic chair. Queen rooms have a large work area with armchairs. The hotel also features the Clarion Class Business Rooms and Clarion Class Leisure Rooms.

Room rates begin at $69. All rates include a complimentary USA TODAY newspaper and a 100 percent guest satisfaction guarantee.

Discounts are available when booked in advance on a space-available basis for seniors, American Automobile Association members, business travelers, government and military personnel and groups. Children ages 18 and under stay for free when accompanied by an adult.

Non-smoking rooms and rooms for individuals with disabilities are available.

The Clarion Hotel in Chester is near shopping and restaurants. The hotel is located eight miles from both downtown Richmond and historic Petersburg. Southpark mall is six miles from the hotel. Pamplin Historic Park is 10 miles away. The hotel is 40 miles from Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens and 20 miles from Richmond Airport and Richmond Speedway. The corporate headquarters of many corporations are also in the vicinity of the hotel.

The Clarion Hotel in Chester, Va. participates in Choice Privileges, Choice Hotels' rewards program where guests can earn points toward free stays, airline miles/credits or gift certificates when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites brand hotels. Guests can receive airline miles/credits from participating airlines when staying at any Choice brand hotel.

Beginning June 7, visitors to www.choicehotels.com may enter the "Wake Up a Winner" sweepstakes. Grand Prizes include trips for two to the events in Athens, Greece, as well as Rome and London, complete with airfare, hotel accommodations and $10,000 in spending money. Additional Grand Prize trips for two to National Park sites throughout the U.S., including airfare, hotel accommodations and $5,000 in spending money, will also be awarded. "Wake Up a Winner" Scratch and Win cards will be distributed at domestic hotels beginning June 7 and ending August 29 or while supplies last.

For reservations at any Clarion brand hotel worldwide, contact Choice Hotel's toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.choicehotels.com on the Internet. Rooms at the Clarion Hotel in Chester, Va. can be booked by contacting the hotel directly at (804) 748-6321.

Choice Hotels International, one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, franchises more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in 44 countries and territories under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit the company's Web site at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Choice Privileges and 1-800-4CHOICE are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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Media Contact: Dorothy Dee Tel: +1(301) 592-6197 Fax: +1(301) 592-6177 dorothy_dee@choicehotels.com