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Prime Hotel Locations in Eight States to Convert to Radisson,
Country Inns & Suites and Park brands -- MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 6, 2005) --- Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced that it is has reached an agreement with Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT), a major hotel industry real estate investment trust (REIT), to take over management of 12 hotels currently operating under the Prime hotel brand. The company says the agreement also calls for the properties to convert to Carlson hotel brands over the next 90 days. The new properties will expand Carlson's managed hotel portfolio by 66 percent. "This agreement allows us to substantially expand our portfolio of managed hotels, demonstrating a strategic commitment to management leadership as we develop our brands," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Our managed hotels are historically among our top performers and provide exemplary guest experiences which define our brands." Carlson will immediately assume management responsibilities of the properties to begin assimilating the hotels into its portfolio in order to maximize market opportunities and brand growth. Of the 12 hotels, four will convert to the Radisson brand, three will change to the Park Plaza brand and five will become Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. Some brand conversions will take place immediately with all conversions expected to be completed by July 2005. The hotels included in this agreement are located in the following cities and will be converted to the brands as indicated below: RADISSON HOTELS & RESORTS Nashville Airport, Tenn. - 1112 Airport Center Drive Phoenix Airport, Ariz. - 427 North 44th St. Salt Lake City, Utah - 215 West South Tempe Seattle/Tacoma, Wash. - 18118 Pacific Highway South PARK PLAZA Minneapolis/Bloomington, Minn. - 4460 W. 78th St. Circle Phoenix/Chandler, Ariz. - 7475 W. Chandler Blvd. North Phoenix, Ariz. - 2641 W. Union Hills Drive COUNTRY INNS & SUITES Atlanta, Ga. - 800 Hammond Drive NE Chicago/Naperville, Ill. - 1837 Center Point Circle San Diego/Sorrento, Calif. - 5975 Lusk Boulevard Seattle/Bothell, Wash. - 19333 North Creek Parkway Sunnyvale, Calif. - 1300 Chesapeake Terrace As part of the new brand conversions, the hotels will receive new capital investment of up to $37 million in renovations with each hotel undergoing $1 to $4 million in renovations. All renovations are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2006. Sam Winterbottom, executive vice president of development for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, said the agreement represents a significant growth in key markets for Carlson's hotel brands. "Each year we identify top markets where our branded hotels need to be in order to be represented in key markets where customer demand is growing rapidly. For Country Inns & Suites this brings significant growth on the West Coast by adding properties in San Diego and Sunnyvale, Calif., as well as suburban Seattle. The Park Plaza portfolio gains three great properties, and our Radisson brand adds key airport markets in Nashville, Phoenix and Seattle-Tacoma, as well as a terrific downtown convention hotel in Salt Lake City." Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide includes five hotel brands, totaling nearly 900 locations in 69 countries. Hotel brands include: Regent International Hotels, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the lodging industry; Radisson Hotels & Resorts®, one of the world's leading upscale hotel companies with more than 430 locations in 61 countries; Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, positioned in the mid-scale segment of the full-service hotel category, has over 30 hotels globally and is known for its great value and customer-focused service culture; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson®, one of the fastest growing, mid-tier lodging chains with over 340 locations offering excellent value with a warm and comfortable atmosphere; and Park Inn®, with nearly 80 hotels worldwide, is a unique emerging hotel brand offering a relaxed environment in the economy category and is poised for aggressive global growth. Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries. Other names among the Carlson family of brands and services are: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Carlson Marketing Group, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Results Travel, Cruise Holidays, T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix restaurants. The company has been recognized by both Fortune and Working Mother magazines as one of the "100 best places to work for in America," Carlson Companies' corporate headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
| Contact: Kristi Arndt Telephone: 763-212-5626 Email: [email protected] |
| Also See: | Carlson Hotels Worldwide Inititates New Brand Building Strategies / June 2004 |
| Carlson Hotels Worldwide Opens 87 New Locations in 2004 / February 2005 |