Cambria Suites Announces Entry Into New York

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), Concord Hospitality, We Care Trading Co., Ltd, and Meyer Jabara Hotels today announced the official groundbreaking of three Cambria Suites hotels in New York. The properties will be located in Times Square and Chelsea in Manhattan, and downtown White Plains in nearby Westchester County. Entry into New York builds on Choice Hotels' growth in the upscale lodging segment and the expansion of Cambria Suites in key urban markets, offering business travelers a stylish, new all-suite hotel product with exceptional services and amenities at a great value. The three projects represent a combined investment of approximately $141 million in New York, the creation of nearly 1,000 jobs and 461 hotel rooms.

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"Having three hotels under simultaneous construction in the New York metro area speaks volumes about the great appeal and performance potential of Cambria Suites," says Steve Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International.  "Working with the industry's top developers gives us that extra edge in bringing this brand to New York, one of the most dynamic and highly competitive hotel and real estate markets in the country.  Development demand for Cambria Suites hotels in major metropolitan markets is stronger than ever.  Our rapidly-growing, award-winning brand appeals to business travelers looking for stylish, accommodations at a great price." 

These new developments underscore the growing appeal of Cambria Suites to guests and franchisees. All hotels are new-construction and the brand leads the rest of the upscale lodging segment in guest satisfaction scores as measured by guests' likelihood to recommend (LTR).  As of today, many Cambria Suites hotels are ranked #1 and #2 in their respective markets on TripAdvisor.  Right now, across the hotel industry, demand is outpacing supply for upscale hotels which tend to primarily attract the business traveler.   

Cambria Suites – Times Square

The 81,000 square-foot, 196-suite Cambria Suites Times Square is a venture between Choice Hotels and Concord Hospitality of Raleigh, NC. A bar positioned in the lobby space fronting 46th street connects hotel guests with the city, and there is outdoor seating at the front and rear of the hotel. The property is scheduled to open in winter 2014 and will be located at 30 W. 46th Street, in the heart of Manhattan's central business district.

"This is our first of three Cambria Suites developments in major urban markets," says Mark Laport, President and CEO of Concord Hospitality. "The Cambria Suites design meets the needs of today's business traveler and we are excited by the commitment that Choice Hotels has made to the development of this new upscale brand."

Cambria Suites – Chelsea

Cambria Suites Chelsea is being developed by Robert Chun, of We Care Trading Co., Ltd. and will be managed by Concord Hospitality. "As successful entrepreneurs entering the hospitality industry, we have surrounded ourselves with the best possible organizations: Cambria Suites, Choice Hotels and Concord Hospitality," says Robert Chun, Director of Development of We Care Trading Co., Ltd. "We considered many brands, but introducing a fresh, new all-suite hotel in Manhattan in the fast-growing upscale segment was clearly the best choice." Plaza seating at the street scape allows guests to soak up the scent and beauty of the Flower District while a rear outdoor patio seating offers an intimate gathering place for drinks, food and fun. Situated in one of Manhattan's hippest neighborhoods, the property will be located at 123-125 W. 28th Street, and will feature 135 suites in 56,500 square feet. Cambria Suites Chelsea will open in the second quarter of 2014.

Cambria Suites – White Plains

Cambria Suites White Plains will be one of the first hotels of this brand to be part of a mixed-use, urban design development. It will sit atop two stories of retail space in the heart of downtown White Plains at 250 Main Street. Cambria Suites White Plains will also feature the brand's first pods in the common spaces where guests will be able to sit and relax in front of the TV or work quietly on the computer. This project is expected to open in summer 2013 with 130 suites that are larger than standard hotel rooms, an indoor pool and valet parking.

"White Plains is the commercial hub for Westchester County. Home to more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies and many more corporations, White Plains and the surrounding region attract business travelers from all over the world," says Bill Meyer, Chairman of Meyer Jabara Hotels.  "Cambria Suites is the perfect upscale hotel for those travelers who seek a productive and stylish experience."

"We're working with some of the best developers in the industry in bringing a fresh hotel option to New York," says Michael Murphy, SVP of Cambria Suites. "It's an exciting time in the brand's history and growth, and we know Cambria Suites is not only going to meet, but exceed the needs and wants of today's business traveler."

In addition to the construction starts in New York, Cambria Suites recently announced development agreements in West Orange, N.J., West Palm Beach, Fla. and Williamsport, Pa.  There are currently 19 Cambria Suites hotels across the country, with a property in Miami, Fla. expected to open in the summer of 2013.

Hotel Design and Amenities

Cambria Suites all new-build hotels are designed to appeal to business travelers who seek contemporary, upscale accommodations with the services and amenities on their must-have list. These include free Wi-Fi and remote printing throughout the hotel, sophisticated in-room technology, a separate sleep and work area, a fitness center, and inviting public spaces. Each guest room offers the latest technology, including two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub™ plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to connect their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digital camera or CD/DVD player hassle-free.

All Cambria Suites hotels feature Reflect, a casual dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu featuring fun, fresh and familiar American cuisine, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art fitness center; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that offers energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As September 30, 2012, more than 360 hotels representing 29,000 rooms were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 75 hotels, representing approximately 7,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in approximately 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 have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

About Cambria Suites

Cambria Suites offers contemporary, upscale accommodations at affordable prices. Designed as a lifestyle hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers more than just a place to sleep at night. It features a larger lobby to give guests a more social atmosphere, all-suite rooms that are larger than standard hotel rooms and include a separate living, working and sleeping space, providing business and leisure travelers a haven to relax, socialize and network. As of September 30, 2012, there were 19 properties open across the country, representing more than 4,600 guest suites, and 26 properties in various stages of development, representing an additional 3,500 guest suites.

About Concord Hospitality

Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, an award-winning hotel management and development company based in Raleigh, N.C., manages over 90 hotels offering more than 11,500 guest rooms in 22 states and two Canadian provinces. The company operates hotels and resorts under such well-known industry elite brands as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, and Choice Hotels, as well as select independent boutique hotels. Formed in 1985, Concord recently was listed as one of the nation's top management companies in the nation by independent sources, and recently won Marriott's elite Partnership Circle award for the eighth time. Concord properties are some of the most awarded hotels in the country, having won nearly 100 top honors in the past two years alone. For more information, visit www.concordhotels.com.

About We Care Trading

Founded in 1973, We Care Trading Co., Ltd. is a part of a diversified organization with broad expertise in sales, manufacturing, import, export and distribution. In recent years, We Care Trading Co., Ltd. has expanded its reach into other business arenas. Currently, it is part of an organization of companies that owns and manages seven commercial properties in two of the largest markets in the U.S., Manhattan, NY and Los Angeles, CA. The organization also maintains an office in Hong Kong. Cambria Suites represents the first hotel development investment by We Care Trading Co., Ltd. Concord Hospitality Enterprises, an award-winning hotel management and Development Company based in Raleigh, N.C., will manage the Cambria Suites Chelsea property.

About Meyer Jabara Hotels

Meyer Jabara Hotels is an award-winning hospitality company owning and operating 26 hotels in 10 states. Their portfolio of hotels includes Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton and Holiday Inn brands as well as several independent boutique hotels. For over 30 years, Meyer Jabara Hotels has distinguished itself by the diversity of its hotel portfolio and its frequent rankings as a "Best Place to Work" by the Great Places to Work Institute. To learn more, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.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 Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2012 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.