Fairfield Inn & Suites - with The Princeton Review - Offer Parents Support as They Begin Visiting College Campuses with their Children

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Choosing the right college can be a challenging and stressful time, especially as parents visit multiple campuses from coast to coast with their children. But it can also be a wonderful time, a chance for parents to bond with their grown-up children and travel as a family. Fairfield Inn & Suites® by Marriott (www.fairfieldinn.com) is now reaching out to parents of high school juniors and seniors with the Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out College Campuses program (www.FairfieldCollegeVisits.com) complete with a travel package, valuable free advice from The Princeton Review and a $10,000 sweepstakes giveaway.

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This fall, 19.7 million students are projected to enroll in the nation's colleges and universities (U.S. National Center for Education Statistics).  Fairfield Inn & Suites conducted an online survey that revealed most parents planning college visits with their children – 21 percent of respondents – said they expect to make three to four trips to campuses. Meanwhile, 10 percent of respondents expect to make at least seven trips to visit campuses. Why are parents making these trips with their children? Most of the parents – 54 percent – responded to make sure their children chose the right school with 39 percent responding the opportunity to bond with their children before they leave home.

Most parents responded they did not have issues with their children choosing a college far from home. However, among those parents with distance issues, the largest number of respondents -- 23 percent – cited 500 miles or further as too far from home. Once the last child leaves home for college, the greatest number of newly minted empty nesters – 35 percent -- said you are most looking forward to a little quiet time together at home – and they deserve it. The survey of 9,901 adult parents of prospective, current, and recent college students was conducted in July by McPheters & Company for Fairfield Inn & Suites.

"Fairfield Inn & Suites has more than 670 hotels in North America and many near college campuses, so our hotels have been welcoming parents and their children as they journey through the college selection process for some time," said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, global vice president, Fairfield Inn & Suites. "With most parents expecting to make up an average of four college campus visits with their children, according to our online survey, there's great opportunity to offer them support and value with our Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out College Campuses program, in addition to our free breakfast and free Internet at our hotels."

In collaboration with The Princeton Review, Fairfield Inn & Suites has launched the Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out College Campuses program (www.FairfieldCollegeVisits.com).  The Princeton Review is a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring.

Travel Package

At select hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites is offering a travel package that includes a free copy of The Princeton Review's popular "Portable Guidance Counselor: Answers to the 284 Most Important Questions About Getting Into College." Guests will also receive a $25 Smart Bucks coupon good for a future stay, and a tip sheet from The Princeton Review about getting the most out of your college campus visit. This offer is valid for stays which occur from September 6 – October 30, 2011. Offer is limited to select Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the continental United States. Stays must be booked between August 22 – October 24, 2011.

Sweepstakes

Whether it's the tuition, books or dorm room furniture, the cost of a college education is rising. To help parents of prospective students and children enrolled in college, Fairfield Inn & Suites is running a $10,000 sweepstakes, offering five lucky winners $2,000 each to offset the costs of their child's college experience. Parents can enter to win by visiting (www.FairfieldCollegeVisits.com), where they can also download the tip sheet, which includes a 15 percent-off coupon for classes from The Princeton Review.

Fairfield Inn & Suites encourages parents to share their college campus visit stories with the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fairfieldinnandsuites.

About Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Launched in 1987, Fairfield Inn & Suites has become a leader in the moderate tier category. With more than 670 properties throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, guests can rely on Fairfield Inn & Suites to meet their lodging needs wherever their travels take them. Fairfield Inn & Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at more than 3,400 Marriott hotels worldwide.

For more information or reservations, call the Fairfield Inn & Suites toll-free number at 800-228-2800, contact a travel agent, or visit the web site at www.fairfieldinn.com.

About The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for 30 years through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital publications and a free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, the company provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how to pay for higher education. The Princeton Review partners with schools and guidance counselors throughout the U.S. to assist in college readiness, test preparation and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education.

The company also owns and operates Penn Foster Education Group, a global leader in online education, providing career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades through the Penn Foster High School and Penn Foster Career School (www.pennfoster.edu). Penn Foster creates the platform to leverage the company's Career Education Partnerships division with the National Labor College (NLC). This venture was formed to bring high-quality bachelor degree completion and certificate programs to the AFL-CIO's 13 million members and the working adults in their families. For more information, visit www.PrincetonReview.com.

Travel Package Terms & Conditions

Offer valid for stays September 6 – October 30, 2011. Offer limited to select Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the continental United States. Stays must be booked August 22 - October 24, 2011. Rates vary by property, season, and day of the week. Tax is additional. Limited number of rooms available for this promotion. Package promotional items available while supplies last. Smart Bucks coupon is ONLY VALID for stays at Fairfield Inn® by Marriott and Fairfield Inn & Suites® by Marriott.  Present this coupon to the Front Desk at check-in. Must be a registered guest, and a consecutive two (2) night paid stay is required. Only one (1) Coupon is applicable per two (2) night stay. A maximum of three (3) Coupons may be applied to a stay.  Back to back stays at the same location are considered one stay. Coupon(s) must be applied to stays taking place on or before the expiration.  Night(s) of stay must occur on or before the Coupon's expiration date. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. Visit www.FairfieldCollegeVisits.com for complete Smart Bucks coupon terms and conditions.

Sweepstakes Abbreviated Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS PROMOTION. PURCHASE OR PAYMENT DOES NOT IMPROVE THE CHANCE TO WIN. Void in Quebec, outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law.

Promotion is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are at least 21 years of age as of August 22, 2011 and who have [a] child[ren] or dependent[s] who will be enrolled in college or university during the upcoming 2011-2012 or 2012-2013 academic years.  Promotion begins on August 22, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time ("ET") and ends on October 30, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. ET.  Only one (1) entry per person per day is allowed regardless of the method of entry.  For Official Rules, including entry methods, visit www.fairfieldinn.com or www.facebook.com/fairfieldinnandsuites.  This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook.  Prize:  Five (5) grand prizes will be awarded, each consisting of a USD $2,000 check.  Total value of all prizes awarded is $10,000.  Limit one (1) prize per person and per household.  Odds of winning depend upon the total number of eligible entries received.  Sponsor:  Marriott International, Inc., 10440 Fernwood Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA.  Administrator is Don Jagoda Associates, 100 Marcus Drive, Melville, NY 11747 USA.  

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SOURCE Fairfield Inn & Suites