The Historic Century House Joins Ascend Hotel Collection
Service Means More than Hosting Heads in Beds for This Upstate NY Gem
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announced the addition of The Century House in Latham, New York to its impressive list of member hotels. Ascend Hotel Collection is a network of 128 unique, boutique or historic independent hotels that offer guests a distinctive, one-of-a-kind local experience.
This historic hotel has been family-owned for more than 65 years and is centrally located in the Tri-City area that includes the cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy.
"The Century House is a remarkable addition to the Ascend Hotel Collection. This well-known property is beloved by the community and its loyal guests," said Michael Murphy, senior vice president of upscale brands at Choice Hotels International. "The Century House has been a destination for travelers as well as locals for decades because of its commitment not only to delivering a high level of service to guests, but for serving the community outside its doors as well. We are proud to call this hotel a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection."
The Century House was built in the late 19th century as a residential farmhouse. In 1949, Jim and Dorothy O'Hearn purchased the property and transformed the farmhouse into a restaurant to serve travelers along the only road between New York City and Montreal. From the very first dinner served, The Century House became a member of the community as a public meeting space to share tasty meals, good company and celebrate the life's milestones.
While the hotel has experienced tremendous growth and success in the past 65 years, it is still family-owned and maintains its elegant appeal as some of the finest accommodations in Latham and Albany. The Century House incorporates the charm of a bed-and-breakfast combined with unique design and soothing décor to create an inviting atmosphere that makes guests feel at home throughout their stay.
"As a family-owned hotel, we've been selective in choosing a brand partner and the Ascend Hotel Collection is the perfect fit," said Colin DeMers, managing partner at The Century House. "The Collection allows us to continue to operate independently but offers a wonderful support group of like-minded hoteliers that we can tap into. We are also excited to be able to offer our guests access to the Choice Privileges loyalty program where they can earn reward points for additional hotel stays with us or other members. This is an exciting time for us and we look forward to our successful journey of providing exceptional guest experiences here at The Century."
A TRADITION OF HOSPITALITY AND HOPE
Giving back to the community that has supported the hotel since it first opened its doors remains an enduring tradition for The Century House. Through its Enjoy One Share One program -- for each meal served in the restaurant and each room night sold the hotel donates one meal to a local soup kitchen. Since the program began, the hotel has donated more than half a million meals. Further, through a partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the staff volunteers every month to a rotation of local soup kitchens to serve meals and give the regular soup kitchen staff a day off.
ELEGANT ACCOMMODATIONS AND AWARD-WINNING DINING
The 68-room hotel offers traditional guest rooms and suites as well as long-term stay apartments. No matter which room guests choose, they will enjoy complimentary amenities such as: free high-speed wireless internet, free shuttle service to the airport, Amtrak station and marina, free tea and cookies, a refrigerator and microwave, organic coffee, room service and a comfortable pillow top mattress. Guests can also swim in the pool (open seasonally) or enjoy an outing to the nearby Mohawk River, nature trail or bike trail.
The Century House is also an ideal setting for events such as weddings, banquets and corporate meetings and offers over 15,000 square feet of meeting space in 11 separate event rooms that can accommodate groups of six to 600. The hotel also boasts an outdoor tented ballroom on the nearby Nature Trail. The Century House event amenities include full catering services and cutting-edge audio/visual equipment.
At The Century House, fine dining is a tradition. The award-wining restaurant features New American cuisine and serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner seven days a week. Set in the Federal Style Tavern, the food has received critical acclaim and the chefs are ready to accommodate any special requests. Guests can unwind and enjoy casual fine-dining in the evening and wake up to a complimentary chef-made full country breakfast buffet each morning.
Throughout the hotel, guest will notice historic, antique touches that directly relate to the property's humble beginnings. The wide plank vintage chestnut floors were recovered from a 200-year-old barn and the original Century House barn foundation stones were salvaged and placed in the hearth for the fireplace and in some parts of the brick walls. If guests look carefully, they'll notice vintage silverware embedded into the 150-year-old brick on the walls and antique keys and a lockset that are embedded in the mortar on the hearth and face of the fireplace.
About Ascend Hotel Collection
The Ascend Hotel Collection membership program made its debut in late 2008 and now has 128 hotels open throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Australia and the Caribbean. The eclectic portfolio of upscale, independent hotels appeals to the growing number of people who like to immerse themselves in the destination and live like the locals when they travel. For more information, visit www.ascendcollection.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,300 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2014, 423 hotels, representing more than 32,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 93 hotels, representing approximately 8,300 rooms, were 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 hotel & suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.
Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With more than 20 million members worldwide, it is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.
Additional corporate information can be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria hotel & 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 Inc.
(C) 2014 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.
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