Carlson Continues Expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM) With First Hotel in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM) with the brand's first hotel in San Antonio. The opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, San Antonio Airport, Texas marks the brand's entrance into the seventh largest city in the United States and its 20th location in Texas.

"This hotel is a key addition to our portfolio in this major U.S. city and Southern travel destination," said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Midscale Brands, Carlson Hotels, Americas. "The continued growth in this region is another step forward in our plan to expand the brand by an additional 250 hotels globally by 2015, primarily in the U.S., Canada, India and Mexico."

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home. The brand offers an expanded complimentary hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet access and weekday newspaper– features especially attractive to business travelers.

"We are delighted to expand our relationship with Carlson Hotels with the addition of our second Country Inns & Suites hotel," said Christopher Eng, vice president, general counsel and secretary, Summit Hotel Properties, owning company of the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson San Antonio Airport, Texas. "The brand's strength, high standards, leadership and franchise support have established a successful partnership." The company also owns the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Charleston at Kanawha City, W.Va.

The hotel is located a half-mile from San Antonio International Airport and provides free shuttle service. The hotel offers a business center, a fitness center and an indoor pool. The lounge has a bar and is open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Meeting space is available for up to 100 people. The 126-room hotel features one-bedroom suites, and studio suites with a microwave and a refrigerator among many other amenities.

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1 (800) 456-4000.  

About Carlson

Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,070 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 170,000 people.  http://www.carlson.com

Summit Hotel Properties

Summit Hotel Properties is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses exclusively on acquiring and owning premium-branded limited-service hotels in the upscale and upper midscale segments of the U.S. lodging industry.  The company's current portfolio consists of 68 hotels with a total of 6,888 guestrooms located in 19 states. Please visit www.shpreit.com for more information.

SOURCE Carlson