WestCoast is making several changes to bring the hotels into full compliance with the company's high standards. Improvements include the launch of a new state-of-the-art Central Reservations System, the combination of guest affinity programs and property refurbishments. The most noticeable changes include new hotel signage as well as a new food and beverage initiative, Americana Classics Culinary Series, highlighting seasonal entrees, desserts, specialty cocktails and featured wines. The program will be implemented at all full-service Red Lion hotels.

Guests visiting Red Lion hotels the week of February 26 will be greeted by a variety of celebrations, special events and receptions. In addition, the company used the occasion of its rebranding to announce plans to launch "Team Red," an innovative company-wide community outreach program designed to benefit local communities while rewarding both employees and hotel guests for time spent volunteering.

Don Barbieri, Chairman, President and CEO of WestCoast Hospitality Corporation, said, "WestCoast Hospitality and Red Lion are two great companies that have merged, sharing a similar history of origin as well as a very close alignment on core values of providing care, comfort and value and a strong commitment to community service and the fulfillment of vital community needs."

Barbieri added, "The celebrations marking the conversion of 22 of our hotels to the Red Lion flag represent a 53% increase in the Red Lion brand, and is the first phase of our commitment to the expansion of a brand whose history and reputation so closely parallels our own. We are particularly excited about the launch of the Team Red volunteer outreach program because it is an important initiative that builds upon both Red Lion and WestCoasts' decades-long commitment to support the communities where we work and live."

Below is a list of the new Red Lion Hotels and Inns:

Idaho:
     Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner
     Red Lion Hotel on the Falls -- Idaho Falls
     Red Lion Hotel Pocatello
     Red Lion Hotel Canyon Springs -- Twin Falls
     Red Lion Templin's Resort
     Selkirk Lodge at Schweitzer Mtn., a Red Lion Hotel
     White Pine Lodge at Schweitzer Mtn., a Red Lion Hotel
     Red Lion ParkCenter Suites

Montana:
     Red Lion Colonial Hotel -- Helena

Oregon:
     Red Lion Hotel Hillsboro

Utah:
     Red Lion Hotel Salt Lake Downtown

Washington:
     Red Lion Hotel Columbia Center -- Kennewick
     Red Lion Hotel Pasco
     Red Lion Hotel Seattle Airport
     Red Lion Hotel Silverdale
     Red Lion Hotel at the Park -- Spokane
     Red Lion River Inn
     Red Lion Hotel Olympia
     Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue -- Seattle
     Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center
     Red Lion Hotel Yakima Gateway
     Red Lion Bellevue Inn

The Red Lion brand was founded in the 1960's and found success in focusing on 3- to 4- star hotels. The brand reached a peak of 56 hotels before being acquired in November 1996 by Doubletree for $1.2 billion. Promus Hotel Corporation subsequently acquired it, then Hilton Hotels Corporation. During this time, many of the hotels were converted to the Doubletree brand. In December 2001, Red Lion was acquired by WestCoast Hospitality Corporation.

WestCoast Hospitality Corporation owns, manages and franchises hotels throughout the Western United States. WestCoast Hotels and Red Lion Hotels and Inns focus on serving business, convention and leisure travelers in first, second and third tier markets.