The Microtel brand, which had 22 open hotels when it was acquired by Atlanta-based franchisor U.S. Franchise Systems (Nasdaq: USFS) in October 1995, reached its 200th property opening in less than five years to represent one of the fastest growing chains in lodging history.  

�This is much more than an opening,� said Mike Leven, chairman and CEO of USFS, who will cut the ribbon with Robert Kelley, president of North Myrtle Beach Hotels, Inc., owner of the property; Gary Loftus, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association; Pat Creed of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Vinay Patel, vice president of brand marketing for Microtel.  

�This is an example of how Microtel has evolved in a very short time to a leader in the budget hotel segment.�  At year end-1999, Lodging Econometrics named Microtel the top hotel brand in the U.S. for the number of projects and rooms in the development pipeline, and Microtel was also ranked the top budget brand by Entrepreneur Magazine.  Arthur Frommer, the well-known travel expert, cites Microtel as �one of the country�s best low-cost lodging chains� in his Budget Traveler magazine.

Owned and managed by brothers and sister Robert and Michael Kelley and Kristy Kelley Baucom, the family also owns the Super 8 at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.  General manager is David Davis; assistant general manager is Heather McNeil.  The Myrtle Beach Microtel is adjacent to Myrtle Beach Speedway, six miles from the Myrtle Beach International Airport and seven miles from the beach. 

While the brand�s portfolio is most heavily focused in the U.S. (properties are open in 39 states and under development in 49), there are also international properties open in Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and under construction in Calapan City in the Philippines and Mendoza, Argentina.  Master franchise agreements have been signed to develop Microtels in Canada, Mexico, South and Central America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and South Africa.  All properties are newly constructed and consistent, meaning that the Microtel in Charlotte, N.C. reflects the same look and quality as the one in Sacramento, Calif.

Celebrating the 200th 
With the entire Microtel system observing the 200th milestone, guests at all properties are receiving cookies, compliments of Otis Spunkmeyer.  They will also have the chance to book a special rate online for stays from Oct. 1, 2000 through Feb. 28, 2001 at participating properties with the �Over 200 Now Open� promotion. 

Meanwhile, more than 250 travel planners and agents, local officials and business representatives are attending the 200th official celebration and ribbon-cutting.  

The three-story, 96-room Myrtle Beach property is South Carolina�s 10th Microtel Inn & Suites.  There are currently properties open in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville (four), Richburg and Rock Hill. 

According to Robert Kelley, �We are celebrating the 200th milestone with music, food and Microtel-replica cake.  Door prizes include a color TV, compliments of Zenith Consumer Electronics; Tommy Armour Golf Clubs, compliments of Artone Manufacturing, and CD player, compliments of American Hotel Register.  There will also be tours of the property.�