Today, Choice Hotels breaks ground on the first Cambria Suites in Boise, Idaho.  But the event is more of a celebration of the company's commitment to the select-service upscale market and the confidence that hotel developers have shown for Choice's new brand.

The event comes on the heels of Choice Hotels� key hire in William Edmundson, a 20-year veteran of the lodging industry, with experience in brand management, operations, marketing, sales, service, quality and franchise relations for the Embassy Suites, Holiday Inns, Homewood Suites and most recently, Hampton Inns brands. 

�We are especially pleased that the Sioux Falls, SD based developer for this project is The Summit Group,� said William Edmundson, vice president of brand management for Cambria Suites. 

For over a decade, The Summit Group has focused on developing, managing and owning upscale lodging properties nationwide. The company�s unique approach to management has resulted in properties focused on sales and operating efficiencies, making The Summit Group one of the most efficient in the industry at delivering bottom-line results. 

Edmundson added, �With a well-experienced management team and a well-earned reputation as a first class hotel developer and operator, The Summit Group is exactly the type of developer we are looking for in our brand.� 

�The Cambria Suites project is an excellent opportunity for Summit to build upon our 15-year partnership with Choice Hotels,� said Chris Bills, Chief Operating Officer of The Summit Group.  �We are extremely pleased to be part of this project and are very excited to be the first developer to break ground with Choice on its all-suites concept.�

Since the brand was launched, 8 deals have been executed with an additional 14 agreements in the pipeline.  In addition, Badger Midwest Holdings, a development company based out of Jefferson, WI with more than 20 hotels in their portfolio including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, and Quality brands, has signed a letter of commitment to develop 10 Cambria Suites over a 3-year period.   

�When Choice launched this brand in January of this year, we knew that an upscale, select service all-suites hotel would be a hit with both developers and consumers,� said David Goldberg, Choice Hotels� senior vice president of brand strategy.  �By investing the time and energy into researching what today�s travelers truly value in a hotel stay, we were able to come up with a design that meets the needs of both business and leisure travelers as well as maximize ROI potential for our developers. �

The Boise property is typical of the sites across the country where travelers will find other Cambria Suites hotels � near airports and in locations that serve both business and leisure demand. Each hotel will typically offer 100 to 150 units � each 25 percent larger than industry standard -- with a stylish, contemporary design.  All rooms will be suites, each with separate living/work room and bedroom areas.  In-room amenities will include luxury bedding and linens; refrigerator and microwave; movable, ergonomic desk; high speed wireless Internet access; flat panel TV and premium cable channels with Pay-Per-View options.  Upgraded suites will also be available.
            
Public spaces at Cambria Suites brand hotels will be open, contemporary and inviting.  Lobbies will include club lounge seating and a large screen �media wall�; a bar serving �grab�n�go� gourmet salads and sandwiches as well as liquor, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages; and a coffee bar serving premium coffees.  Food and beverage options will also include a hot and cold breakfast buffet and a 24/7 convenience store stocked with food and sundry items.  

Each hotel will also include an integrated, expanded fitness club, an indoor pool and more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space.  Additional business services include onsite faxing, copying and printing as well as multiple lobby power/Internet ports and high-speed wireless Internet access.

Cambria Suites� exterior design will be distinguished by rich, detailed use of brick, stone and stainless steel accents, with a dramatic, glass-walled signature tower containing the two-story lobby.

The ground breaking ceremony will be held today from 4:00-5:30 pm at 2970 West Elder Street, Boise, Idaho. 

About Choice Hotels International
Choice Hotels International is one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in more than 40 countries under the Cambria Suites, Clarion, Quality, Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brand names. 
 

About The Summit Group, Inc. 
The Summit Group, Inc. is a developer, owner and manager of upscale limited-service hotels nationwide. The Company owns and operates all the hotels in its portfolio of 61 properties in 22 states. The Summit Group�s growing portfolio includes leading hotel brands such as Marriott International, Inc. (Courtyard, Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn and TownePlace Suites), Hilton Hotels Corporation (Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites), InterContinental Hotels Group (Holiday Inn Express), and Choice Hotels International (Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn).  Approximately 50 percent of The Summit Group�s portfolio hotels are Marriott properties.  For information about The Summit Group, visit www.thesummitgroupinc.com.
 

Camila Clark
Tel: (301) 592-6381
[email protected]

The Summit Group
Liz Brady
Tel: (203) 682-8230
[email protected]