MainStay Suites Hotel Breaks Ground in Winnipeg, Manitoba

WINNIPEG , Manitoba and SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 29 /CNW/ -- Owners of the new MainStay Suites Winnipeg Airport hotel -- the first MainStay Suites hotel in Manitoba -- broke ground today, Thursday, October 29th , at the property's future location of 670 King Edward Street . The 101-room extended stay hotel will bring more than a dozen new jobs to the Winnipeg area and is part of the extensive new local development surrounding the expansion of the Winnipeg International Airport, the St. James Business Park, and the CentrePort Canada , Winnipeg Inland Port Project. Construction on the new hotel property is expected to be finished in September 2010 .

The special ground breaking event included brief remarks, a sod-turning ceremony and reception with light refreshments. Those in attendance at the event included John Owens , president of King Edwards Extended Stay Group Ltd., owners and operators of the future MainStay Suites hotel; Kevin Lewis , president of upscale and extended stay brands for Choice Hotels; Scott Richer , director of franchise sales and development in Canada for Choice hotels; along with other local business leaders and dignitaries.

"This ground breaking event is truly a milestone for Choice, as we look forward to open our first extended stay brand hotel in Manitoba," said Lewis. "As we continue to expand both our MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands domestically and internationally, we're looking for developers of great caliber, like we have here in Winnipeg with the King Edwards Extended Stay Group."

The MainStay Suites Winnipeg Airport hotel will feature an expanded fitness facility with sauna and whirlpool, approximately 1,000-plus square feet of meeting space, on-site laundry facilities, free wireless high-speed Internet access and free grab-and-go breakfast. Guest suites will each feature a fully-equipped kitchen, large work area, bright task lighting, sleeper sofa, iron and ironing board. Guests will particularly enjoy the spaciousness of the deluxe queen guestrooms and one-bedroom suites. Select guest suites will also feature in-room wireless computers synced to flat screen TVs.

"To be a part of the recent surge of development in the Winnipeg area, both in the construction of this new MainStay Suites hotel and in the construction of the nearby CentrePort Canada , Winnipeg Inland Port Project, is very exciting and truly a privilege," said Owens. "We're certain the unique services and special amenities of the hotel will exceed the expectations of extended stay travelers coming to the Winnipeg area."

The MainStay Suites hotel brand is franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors. MainStay Suites properties are the mid-market extended stay brand from Choice Hotels that offer residential-style amenities with enough room for an extended stay including separate areas for dressing, relaxing, sleeping and eating. For more information on MainStay Suites, visit mainstaysuites.com.

    

    About Choice Hotels

    

As of June 30, 2009 , Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchised more than 5,900 hotels, representing more than 479,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. On September 22, 2009 , the company announced it had opened its 6,000th franchised property. As of June 30, 2009 , more than 800 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States , representing more than 64,000 rooms, and an additional 110 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 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 serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States 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 Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

For further information: Rocco Loverro, Choice Corporate, [phone], [email protected], or John Owens of MainStay Suites, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.choicehotels.com