Boston, MA  - January 23, 2001- The largest Comfort Inn & Suites in the United States has opened in Revere, Mass., near Boston�s Logan International Airport. 

The eight-story, 208-room property is the first collaboration between Choice Hotels International and the renowned Saunders Hotel Group of Boston. 

The family-operated Saunders Hotel Group owns and operates the 100-year-old, AAA Four Diamond Lenox Hotel, which was recently selected to join Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Historic Hotels of America. They also own the Copley Square Hotel, Boston�s oldest continuously operating hotel. 

A restaurant and lounge called Pacini�s Italian Eatery will open next month, and will provide room service to guests. 

Jeffrey Saunders, President/CEO of Saunders Hotel Group, explained the collaboration with Choice Hotels International as a tri-level decision: �First and foremost, it made sense for us, as a small local entity, to expand with a national brand that consumers know and respect. We examined a number of contenders, and found that Comfort Inn had the consistent quality and broad appeal we sought.

Secondly, with Boston�s hotel market rapidly becoming saturated, it�s logical to expand into communities outside the city. Improved access has made towns north of the airport viable for development.

Finally, we believe that the family culture inherent within the Saunders Group will bring full service sensibility to a traditionally �limited service� brand.� 
 

The hotel features Mission-style furniture and granite floors in the lobby, signed prints by noted Boston artist Thomas Rebek, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, heated indoor pool, business center, exercise facility and a quartet of meeting rooms. Sixty percent of all rooms are non-smoking; 49 are mini-suites and 35 are king suites.