SILVER SPRING, Md. (Aug. 30, 2012) – Ascend Hotel Collection announced today that new boutique properties in Boston, New Orleans and Gettysburg have joined its portfolio of independent hotels. They are enVision Hotel Boston; The Blake Hotel New Orleans; and Federal Pointe Inn, Gettysburg, Pa. The properties are the first in each of these markets to join this fast-growing network of upscale independent hotels.

The Blake Hotel, enVision and Federal Pointe Inn all opened this summer following major renovations. They bring the portfolio’s roster up to more than 70 properties, each with a distinctive personality showcasing its locale. The 122-room Blake Hotel is close to the action, on the St. Charles Streetcar Line at Lafayette Square in the downtown Business and Arts Districts. Guests in town for Mardi Gras can watch the parades passing right in front of the hotel. On a tree-lined residential street, the 39-room enVision is just a few miles from Fenway Park and downtown Boston. Located in the heart of Gettysburg, Federal Pointe houses 18 guestrooms and suites overlooking the National Military Park and historic downtown.

“We’re delighted to welcome these exceptional properties,” says Stacy Ragland, vice president of operations, Ascend Hotel Collection. “With their luxurious accommodations and gracious hospitality, each property is a perfect fit for our guests – savvy consumers who like to bypass cookie-cutter accommodations and live like the locals when they travel. Guests get a true taste of the local culture of three of America’s most vibrant cities.”

As part of the eclectic Ascend Hotel Collection, the Blake Hotel, enVision and Federal Pointe Inn maintain their independent brand identity. At the same time, they gain the global sales and marketing channels of one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. Being part of the Choice Hotels family of brands, the properties enjoy visibility before a network of more than 15 million Choice Privileges rewards members worldwide. They also acquire a presence on ChoiceHotels.com, one of the hospitality industry’s most visited websites.

The Blake Hotel New Orleans
The Blake is within easy walking distance to the French Quarter and some of the Big Easy’s premier restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Also nearby: the Superdome, Harrah’s Casino, National World War II Museum and Shops at Canal Place.

Housed in the former Bank of New Orleans building, the 11-story Blake Hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows and a New Orleans-style terrace that wraps around the entire building, affording sweeping views of the iconic city. The hotel has the full-service Café at the Square restaurant and bar, two meeting rooms, a lobby business center, fitness center and sundries shop. Its lobby features a sleek design, lined with cream-colored travertine floors and walls with accents of color coming from a giant, strawberry-red faux alligator skin wall hanging and a bold red semi-circular couch. Guests can relax here, sip drinks and watch the ongoing parade colorful personalities who pass through the neighborhood. The Blake is owned by JM Hotels, LLC and managed by New Orleans-based Matrix Hospitality Group.

enVision Hotel Boston
enVision is a short stroll to scores of shops and restaurants and the Longwood Medical Area, home of Harvard Medical School, among other renowned medical institutions. Fenway Park is less than two miles away. Also nearby are famous attractions, which include Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall and the historic sites and shops of Copley Square. Conveniently, the Green Line T stop located right outside the hotel puts Boston’s world-class shopping and attractions within easy reach.

Providing an even greater connection to the local culture, enVision’s “Celebrate Boston!” starts this fall. These weekly events in the lobby feature tastings of wine and beer from local breweries, High Tea on weekends, and live entertainment spotlighting Boston’s vibrant music scene. Pairing modern style and conveniences in this historic setting, the lobby boasts a clean, contemporary design with sleek, comfortable couches and a champagne glass chandelier. Artwork in the form of a striking, three-dimensional, black-and-white map highlights Boston’s iconic neighborhoods. The lobby’s complimentary iPads serve as virtual concierges, custom-loaded with information on Boston’s highlights and hidden gems. Opening in the fall, Brew-ens Café is a nod to the Boston Bruins hockey team. This onsite café will offer coffee, tea and espresso drinks with beans from a local roaster; fresh-baked local pastries; and healthy snacks, available all day and in the evening. enVision is owned and operated by Global Vision Hotels, Needham, Mass.

Federal Point Inn
Federal Pointe Inn is steps away from Gettysburg National Military Park and the shops, restaurants and art galleries of the historic downtown district. Not far away are scenic hiking and biking trails, wineries, museums, festivals and Gettysburg College.

The inn is housed in an 1896 brick schoolhouse, the Meade School, named after the famous Union Army general. Today, the property maintains its historic charm, while adding elegant new guestrooms and suites, a fitness center, meeting space, and art galleries. Blending elements of Federal and Richardson Romanesque architecture, Federal Pointe Inn has dramatic 30-foot ceilings in the towers and the original 15-foot-wide hallways. Now hallways are transformed into art galleries, adorned with original works by renowned Civil War artist Dale Gallon. In the afternoon, guests can gather for lively conversations and complimentary tea and scones. Federal Pointe Inn is owned by Peter Monahan, a past chairman of the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, and his wife, Elizabeth. Monahan also manages the property.

At each hotel, guestrooms are well appointed with rich décor and modern comforts, including plush beds with pillow-top mattresses and luxurious linens, free Wi-Fi and large flat-screen televisions.

Membership in Ascend Hotel Collection grew 35 percent in 2011. The network made its debut in late 2008. Today, it presents a curated lineup of more than 70 upscale, independent hotels in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.ascendcollection.com.

About Ascend Collection
The Ascend Collection membership program made its debut in late 2008 and now has hotels open and under development throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. The network appeals to the growing number of travelers who like to discover upscale hotels with local flair when traveling for business or leisure. Member hotels include The GEM Hotels with three boutique hotels in New York City; Greenlinks Resort, situated on two championship golf courses in Naples, Fla.; Zona Hotel and Suites Scottsdale in Ariz; Grand Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose; and Hotel Royal William in the chic New St. Rock district of downtown Quebec City. For more information on this collection of Historic, Boutique and Unique and hotels, visit www.ascendcollection.com.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2012, more than 350 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 30,000 rooms, and approximately 80 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 in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean 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.

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 Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.